There are many software programs you can use to view, edit, and create images on your computer. The following list is a selection of recommended titles for you to try.
NoteAdobe Photoshop can be used to add some really amazing effects to the shapes and text that you add to make your design. You can blur out the edges of a text or shape, or add a soft fade around the shape, by following the steps as mentioned below. Take any image that you want to use as a centerpiece for your design.
There are dozens of different image file formats and file extensions used today. Unfortunately, no program that can open every type of image format. Make sure the image format you want to open or create is supported by the program. Common image file extensions like .GIF, .JPG, and .PNG are supported by all programs. However, less common extensions like a .PSD may only be supported by a few programs.
IrfanView
Platform: Microsoft Windows.
Capabilities: View and edit images.
Additional information: A great freeware software program for viewing a wide variety of different image formats. Some of the formats supported include ANI, CUR, BMP, SVG, ECW, PS, PDF, GIF, ICO, IMG, JPG, JPEG, NGG, PBM, PCX, PIC, PNG, RAW, SWF, TIFF, WBMP, WMF, and other image, video, and audio files. IrfanView also allows you to create slide shows, change the format and other settings of multiple files at once, and do other minor image manipulations. See the IrfanView for additional information and a free download of this program.
Capabilities: View and edit images.
Additional information: A great freeware software program for viewing a wide variety of different image formats. Some of the formats supported include ANI, CUR, BMP, SVG, ECW, PS, PDF, GIF, ICO, IMG, JPG, JPEG, NGG, PBM, PCX, PIC, PNG, RAW, SWF, TIFF, WBMP, WMF, and other image, video, and audio files. IrfanView also allows you to create slide shows, change the format and other settings of multiple files at once, and do other minor image manipulations. See the IrfanView for additional information and a free download of this program.
Photobie
Platform: Microsoft Windows.
Capabilities: View, edit, and create images.
Additional information: A free image editor with many features in non-free programs and other features including an animated GIF creator, Adobe filters, 3D photo cube, and globe generator. Photobie can be downloaded from Softonic.
Capabilities: View, edit, and create images.
Additional information: A free image editor with many features in non-free programs and other features including an animated GIF creator, Adobe filters, 3D photo cube, and globe generator. Photobie can be downloaded from Softonic.
GIMP
Platform: Linux, Unix, Microsoft Windows, macOS, and other.
Capabilities: View, edit, and create images.
Additional information: A great free and open-source image editor and viewer that has almost as many features as Adobe Photoshop. See the GIMP for additional information and free downloads of this program.
Capabilities: View, edit, and create images.
Additional information: A great free and open-source image editor and viewer that has almost as many features as Adobe Photoshop. See the GIMP for additional information and free downloads of this program.
PhotoPlus
Platform: Microsoft Windows.
Capabilities: View, edit, and create images.
Additional information: Another great, free software program capable of viewing, editing, and creating photos and images. The company also has a free serif software, desktop publishing software (PagePlus SE), vector drawing software (DrawPlus), and a free 3D animation software program (3DPlus). Additional information about each of these products as well as free downloads.
Capabilities: View, edit, and create images.
Additional information: Another great, free software program capable of viewing, editing, and creating photos and images. The company also has a free serif software, desktop publishing software (PagePlus SE), vector drawing software (DrawPlus), and a free 3D animation software program (3DPlus). Additional information about each of these products as well as free downloads.
ACDSee
Platform: Microsoft Windows.
Capabilities: View and edit images.
Additional information: One of the better programs for working with photography and images. The program has a powerful RAW engine with full 64-bit support. See the ACDSee for a free trial download and links to other powerful image processing programs.
Capabilities: View and edit images.
Additional information: One of the better programs for working with photography and images. The program has a powerful RAW engine with full 64-bit support. See the ACDSee for a free trial download and links to other powerful image processing programs.
Krita
Platform: Linux, macOS, and Microsoft Windows.
Capabilities: View and edit images.
Additional information: Free and open source painting program available for all major platforms. See the Krita page for the free download and further information on the program.
Capabilities: View and edit images.
Additional information: Free and open source painting program available for all major platforms. See the Krita page for the free download and further information on the program.
MSPaint
Platform: Microsoft Windows.
Capabilities: View, edit, and create images.
Additional information Image viewer and editor software included with all versions of MicrosoftWindows. However, it is limited to viewing only a handful of image formats, including BMP, GIF, JPG, PNG, and TIFF. It also includes only basic image creation tools. Paint is still a good program for users who want to view images or create some basic images. See the mspaint program page for additional information about this program.
Capabilities: View, edit, and create images.
Additional information Image viewer and editor software included with all versions of MicrosoftWindows. However, it is limited to viewing only a handful of image formats, including BMP, GIF, JPG, PNG, and TIFF. It also includes only basic image creation tools. Paint is still a good program for users who want to view images or create some basic images. See the mspaint program page for additional information about this program.
Adobe Photoshop
Platform: Microsoft Windows, macOS, and other.
Capabilities: View, edit, and create images.
Additional information By far one of the most advanced image editing and creation programs available. This program is for users that are serious about editing and creating their own images and can cost several hundred dollars. See the Adobe Photoshop for additional information about this product or visit Adobe for additional information.
Capabilities: View, edit, and create images.
Additional information By far one of the most advanced image editing and creation programs available. This program is for users that are serious about editing and creating their own images and can cost several hundred dollars. See the Adobe Photoshop for additional information about this product or visit Adobe for additional information.
Of course, these are only a few of the hundreds of different free and commercial image and photo editors and viewers. If you would like to search for alternative programs, click here to open a search for other free image editors and programs.
Additional information
- See the image editor definition for further information and related links.