CNET Editors' review
If all you want is a quick image retouch, Photoshop is overkill. Paint.NET, on the other hand, is an open-source freeware editor with all the essentials, including tools to crop, rotate, and resize images, adjust colors, and create collages. It supports common image formats--JPEG, PNG, GIF, TIFF, and others--but not high-resolution RAW files. There are enough basic and intermediate effects and features to keep image-tweakers happy, including a red-eye removal tool that has seen dramatic improvements. Unlike most free image editors, Paint.NET supports layers, history, and has an actions manager. The pleasing interface boasts semitransparent windows for ease of use.
Version 3.5 addresses many performance quibbles and offers some interface tweaks for the Aero-theme users, but fans of the "dancing ants" may not like the gray-overlay changes made to the selection tools. The useful tools under Effects on the menu bar have seen many additions since version 3, including surface blurs, dents, and crystalize.
The new version automatically downloads and installs the program's prerequisites, including the latest Microsoft .Net version and Windows Installer. It will update in the background now, too, so you can continue to use the program until it's ready to restart. Longtime users should notice that the program starts up about 20 percent faster, according to the publisher. Regardless of minor problems, Paint.NET is far more advanced than Microsoft Paint, and given its free price, it's a must-have for anyone needing to fix images.
Paint.NET:Publisher's Description
From dotPDN:
Paint.NET is free image and photo editing software. It features an intuitive and innovative user interface with support for layers, unlimited undo, special effects, and a wide variety of useful and powerful tools. An active and growing online community provides friendly help, tutorials, and plug-ins.
What's new in this version: Paint.NET v3.5.5 includes performance improvements, a smaller download size, and small bug fixes.
More Products to Consider
- Process your digital photos and create slide shows for sharing.
- View and edit most graphics formats simply and quickly.
- Manage, view, convert, and edit your images.
- Optimize your images and change their size.
- View, edit, print, or add frames to your photos.
- Create and edit photos using layers, effects, and other tools.
- Manage, edit, and share your photos.
- Capture and edit your images with various tools.
- Edit, enhance, and manipulate your digital photos or graphics.
- Hide files in a JPEG image.
- Rotate and resize more than one image at a time.
- Turn your picture into beautiful video.
- Organize, edit, and share pictures with this free photo manager...
- Rotate and resize more than one image at a time.
- Optimize your photos and turn them into paintings or funny cari...
- Print and convert HPGL and raster files.
- Edit and process your digital images.
- Create and alter photos and graphics manually or via scripting.
- Edit and process your digital images.
- Take a snapshot of anything on your computer screen.
- Edit and process your digital images.
- Edit and process your digital images.
- Edit photos, add photo frame, photo effects, and funny backgrou...
- Organize and manage scripts for each movie scene.
-
All versions:
4.2 starsout of 1,073 votes
-
Current version:
4.3 starsout of 36 votes
-
My rating:
Write review
-
"El mejor free"
Version: Paint.NET 3.5.5
Pros
Tiene casi todo
Cons
No se como añadir otros plugins
Summary
Debe seguir mejorando
-
"This Thing Is Great"
Version: Paint.NET 3.5.5
Pros
Unlike the huge editors, this one can be learned by mere mortals. But you can still do pretty much anything you want with any image.
Cons
Cons? There are no cons.
Summary
I think these reviews put a little too much emphasis on "it's like Microsoft Paint." Make no mistake, there's a learning curve here. But a small effort can bring large rewards.
Tip #1: Don't be afraid of layers (like I was). A layer is like a transparent sheet of plastic placed over the image, you can add, edit, and delete layers infinitely.
Tip #2: Save your work in Paint.NET's native format because that preserves the layer structure you're using. You can then save-as to a bitmap, jpeg, or whatever at any time. When you save as an image the layers all merge into one. -
"super perfect"
Version: Paint.NET 3.5.5
Pros
you know this program is identical to MS paint. I was just looking for a pasting program but I found much more.
Cons
Well I'd have to say it was limited but that's exactly what I expected. It didn't give me more than I asked and that was fine by me.
Summary
right, the bottom line is this; the program does everything it says and that's great. I can usually count on CNET to give great soft ware recommendations. For anyone with limited windows installed whom wants MS-paint, here you go!
-
"Get GIMP Instead"
Version: Paint.NET 3.5.5
Pros
None that I can see
Cons
Painfully slow, resource hog, not feature rich, unintuitive, hard to use and learn
Summary
OMG, how can anyone give this program a good review. It took forever to install, when I did start working with it, it slowed my computer down to a crawl and then a stop. GIMP is so much more feature rich, professional, and best of all FAST! Do yourself a favor, if you want to get a PhotoShop quality product for free then get GIMP, compared to which Paint.net is amature hour. I cant wait to uninstall it once it gives me my computer back.
-
"Simple and effective"
Version: Paint.NET 3.5.5
Pros
Easy to use interface
Cons
Nothing I can think of
Summary
It fills the needs I have.
-
"Everything you want in a free image editor"
Version: Paint.NET 3.5.5
Pros
1) Free
2) It can crop and stuffCons
1) None
2) Documentation (but you can easily find tutorials on youtube) -
"unable to download because of Vista SP1 not installed"
Version: Paint.NET 3.5.5
Pros
I liked it when I had it on my XP computer. I just wish it had animation ability for making your own animated wallpapers.
Cons
None, as long as your using it in XP and not worthless Vista
-
"The best mspaint replacement ev@r!"
Version: Paint.NET 3.5.5
Pros
This is just plainly a great replacement for mspaint. I love the antialiased drawing, and all the Photoshop-like functionality built in (filters, magic wand, etc)
Cons
Nothing! This is just plain great.
Summary
It's not Photoshop CS4 or anything like that. It's just a really great image editor that is great for postprocessing or simple image composition. And FREE!
-
"Elitist attitude in forums. Newbies beware."
Version: Paint.NET 3.5.5
Pros
Good program. Bad forums. Even the rules are crammed down your throat and it's as if they lie in wait for anyone to make a slight mistake so they can ridicule and pounce. There's a bad vibe to that place.
Cons
No spray paint can. Don't even ask about it. Lots of useless plugins. They don't tolerate anyone adding similar tutorials or asking similar questions without a major attitude, but loads of worthless plugins that are duplicates of others are welcomed.
Summary
Try the program, accept it's limitations and understand that the forums are a breeding ground for negativity and rude responses. If you are not as good as a few of the obsessed and drunk with power mega posters and moderators, then be prepared to be flamed. If you are quite good then you can probably enjoy the program without having to visit the forums.
-
"All these functions for free?"
Version: Paint.NET 3.5.5
Pros
Free program
Lot of functions
...Cons
..........
Summary
Paint.NET was intended for replacement for MS Paint, beacuse it has a little more functions. But in time, Paint.NET has become very poweful tool for editing images and photos. Program has some Adjustments (Black-White, Auto level, Sepia, Negative,...) and a lot of effects. There are also two fractals(Julia and Mandelbrot) and inserting Garident into image. You can edit image with more layers, etc.
You can chack out some images created with paint.net at http://cebular.blogspot.com/2010/09/paintnet.html (Slovenial language!)
On all that, you can get more functions(effects) on web and use them in Paint.NET!
All these functions, for free? Paint.NET can compete with PhotoShop, GIMP, Paint Shop Pro, and others.
Updated on Sep 18, 2010
Add Your Review
Submit your reply
E-mail this review
Report offensive content
Previous Versions:




