CNET Editors' review
Chasys Draw IES Artist is a free, full-featured image editing and drawing program that does what big-box programs like Adobe Photoshop can do, with a few unique touches that set it apart and actually make it easier to use than the competition.
When you install Chasys Draw, you have the option to associate it with various file types, which is handy if you want to make it your default graphics tool; you can change these associations at any time, too. The main interface is similar to most graphics programs in its layout, its complement of tools and functions, and its use of layers. Wizard-like steps simplify the processes of creating a project and opening and editing an image, video, or other compatible file. We clicked New Project, and the program walked us through the steps of selecting a new image, video, or disk label project or scanning an image. We selected a blank document, choosing dimensions, resolution, orientation, and background colors. We started with the brush tool, drawing freehand with both the mouse and a Wacom pen. Most of the program's wide range of brushes, effects, and tools are similar to those in Photoshop and other software. Chasys Draw accepts plug-ins, too. What we like about this tool, and what sets it apart, are its customizable Windows Aero-compatible transparency, which kept unused windows and tools semitransparent until they were activated by hovering the mouse; its pop-up labels and explanations; and the way the Help file opens on the appropriate entry when you first initiate a function. Other small but useful touches distinguish Chasys Draw from the pack, such as tiny icons in the left-hand corner for rotating images from portrait to landscape orientation. This versatile bundle also includes an icon generator, a calculator, a Notepad utility, and a color palette generator. The raw photo tool offers so many options that it's essentially a separate tool, while the Image Converter tool is powerful and flexible.
Chasys Draw IES Artist does so much that it would take some time to cover it all. It's a legitimate alternative to the big-bucks, big-box image tools on its own merits, and all the more so because it's freeware.
Publisher's Description
From John Paul Chacha's Lab:
Chasys Draw IES is a suite of applications including a layer-based image editor with animation, icon editing support and super-resolution via image stacking (Chasys Draw IES Artist), a multi-threaded image file converter (Chasys Draw IES Converter), a fast image viewer (Chasys Draw IES Viewer) and a RAW camera file processor (Chasys Draw IES raw-Photo). The whole suite is UAC aware and is designed to take advantage of multi-core processors, touch-screens and pen-input devices.
What's new in this version: Version 3.70.01 includes the following improvements:
- Turn any black and white photo or drawing into a full-color photo using two new fx Brushes, Colorize Foto and Colorize Toon
- Updated graphics engine for faster rendering (JpDRAW2, January 2012)
- Use brushes with rotating tips courtesy of Brush Engine 3.0 (demo brushes included)
- Rotate the brush tip by rotating your digitizer pen (e.g. Wacom Intuos with 6D Art Pen)
- Improved Gradient Object Manager ... See all new features
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All versions:
4.5 starsout of 13 votes
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Current version:
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"All I need for painting and animating"
Version: Chasys Draw IES 3.68.03
Pros
Imports fine from my scanner, webcam and graphics tablet
Imports brushes from GIMP and photoshop
My no-name pressure sensitive graphics tablet supported
Has not crashed so far after several hours of use, and does not lag on a 7 year old XP computer
Nice interface and large canvas to draw on when using the full screen option
Lots of tools to exploreCons
No it works
Summary
My affordable graphics tablet came without software. This program was what I needed.
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"Just as good as Photoshop, no better due to the price!!"
Version: Chasys Draw IES 3.67.01
Pros
Full featured
excellent photo editing stuff
Easy for a beginner to learn and to use.Cons
Can get a little slow when the resolution of the pictures is at its maximum
Summary
This program is an alltogether great thing. I am so glad that I found it. It has just as many features as the photoshop that I had been using and it is free!! If you are looking for a tool to edit photos with professional quality and feel than this is the program for you.
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"Fine program, but..."
Version: Chasys Draw IES 3.66.02
Pros
A capable graphics app with tons of features. Takes awhile to explore all the tools, but it's worth the time required. Handles layers well. Nice brushes and textures. Seems quite stable. I like it.
Cons
The author went overboard with bells and whistles. Too much splash and glitter. I don't need a graphics app to be fancy or pretty - I just need it to work.
Summary
I recommend it for any experienced user looking for a free alternative to hi-dollar graphics apps. But be prepared to spend some time learning to use it. It is definitely NOT for newbies.
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"Just Great"
Version: Chasys Draw IES 3.66.02
Pros
Free, easy to use, easy to get a hang on, lots of features, it actually helps when opening any image even if it is for photoshop, or gimp brush. It works well with other soft wares.
Cons
made me panic when I first saw all the features. I might even use this for 10 years and still only know how to use some of the features.
Summary
If you don't want to spend money on photoshop, download this before they change their minds and start selling it.
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"Best at any price!"
Version: Chasys Draw IES 3.65.01
Pros
All tools are easily accesible. A complete selection of tools is available for every purpose.
Cons
Difficult to work with more than one image at a time. Cloning tool is clumsy.
Summary
All of the features you would ever want in a photo editor. Every program has its shortcomings, but this one's can be easily overlooked since it excells expectations in every way. Better than Adobe, Roxio, or Pinnacle which cost upwards of thirty dollars.
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"Great so far. Using with scanned docs works fine."
Version: Chasys Draw IES 3.65.01
Pros
Easy to load. Easy to understand.
Cons
None so far.
Summary
Early in use but seems to meet all my needs.
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"Very nice program it is lots more than the Draw"
Version: Chasys Draw IES 3.64.02
Pros
Easy to install and simple to use. Very well design pop-up menus
to set up different projects and when working on it.Cons
Can't find any and it is free.
Summary
Very well design, as a novice I like Help and info. display with mouse pointer. Excellent and easy accessible History Undo, automatic saves after every step and previews are very helpfull..Honestly recommending to any new and on the budget user
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"Great program"
Version: Chasys Draw IES 3.64.02
Pros
Comprehensive for a free program
Cons
Some of the features are flaky
Summary
worth the download
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"Superb, easy to use, even for first timers"
Version: Chasys Draw IES 3.63.01
Pros
I am a photoshop virgin and after a couple of tries found this one of the easiest editors to use. Downloaded it to do scrapbooking. It works
Cons
All the boxes were a bit confusing at first and all the symbols took some getting used to but not too much.
Summary
Great for scrapbooking, layers were easy to work with and move around. Defo recommend
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"Easy to work with"
Version: Chasys Draw IES 3.63.01
Pros
Flexability
Cons
No cons experienced yet
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