A Freeware Alternative To Make Usable Images

Glassy buttons? Shadows? Icon's with a faded edge effect? Check this out.

Published on May 8, 2006 By TheGuyPC In Community

After working with Microsoft, Paint.Net has served up some major "upgrade's" to your built in "Paint" program.
(Don't bother to Google "Paint.Net" You'll get a site that will sell you paint for your walls.) "Glassy" effects? You're covered! "Brushed Metal"? Yep! Layer support? Oooooh, yeah! AND, MUCH MORE!
You are going to like what you see!

Check out the forums. There are some really good tutorials there.

Finally! A freeware way to create DesktopX images! Really. Check it out.

Oh, do you use Stardock's Icon Developer? Paint.Net works seamlessly with this program! It add's features that were previously available only with expensive "paid" graphics programs.

Comments (Page 1)

Rychian

on May 08, 2006

It's what I use for my images. Granted I only use it for .png images but none the less, It's an awsome beginners proggie, (as I am a beginner) and for the seasoned alike.

I really enjoy this program.

Rychian

on May 08, 2006

Did I mention it was FREE?????

Fairyy~

on May 08, 2006

I have been using this program as well as a few other free ones. This program is unbelievable for a freebie. The best part is that if you used microsoft paint..this is similar but 100 times better.
I believe you need to install net frame before downloading this..I didnt check your link but the one I used combined the net frame and paint.net in one download.

Really worth the time to download this if you do not have photoshop or PSP .

TheGuyPC

on May 08, 2006

Fairyy~ is correct. You do need the .Net Framework installed.

The link in the original post takes you to a page that has the "stand-alone" program and, just below it is the link for both the Paint.Net program and the .Net Framework downloads combined.

If you've done all of the Windows Updates, you likely have it already though.

I'm interested... what other free one's you are using Fairyy~? It would be nice to use something that could make 3D text. I haven't been able to find anything that is free that can do that. Well, maybe Blender could, but I don't have 10 years to figure out how to use that program.

Double Zero

on May 08, 2006

Well, maybe Blender could, but I don't have 10 years to figure out how to use that program.

Aint that the truth... Opened Blender a couple times..scratched my head and closed it..LoL

WebGizmos

on May 08, 2006

I think we need a sticky post for these free tools found on the net that many of us use. I get a kick out of it when I see these posted over and over.

Hey! Look what I found!...Seen it!...Use it!...Where have you been?

Jafo

on May 08, 2006

I think we need a sticky post for these free tools found on the net that many of us use.

Possibly a good idea...provided it is solely for posting links, etc and not for discussions, etc which would dilute the benefits with extraneous dross...

WebGizmos

on May 09, 2006

Well...you know how that goes Jafo...it'll start out with the best intentions...and then...

TheGuyPC

on May 09, 2006

Hey! Look what I found!...Seen it!...Use it!...Where have you been?

Sorry, I hadn't seen it posted before and thought it would be worth mentioning. Some of us are new to this, some are not. I am.

Fairyy~

on May 09, 2006

I think we need a sticky post for these free tools found on the net that many of us use. I get a kick out of it when I see these posted over and over. Hey! Look what I found!...Seen it!...Use it!...Where have you been?

That may be true ..I had seen this program mentioned before as well as the " GIMP " program. But that was way before the last membership drive. New people won't find a previous post thats been burried. Plus, not everyone reads the Forum routinely . I may read it daily for 2 weeks then not bother for a month.

Not sure what you mean by 3d ..but i can make a second layer in paint.net Make that layer black or what ever color ...then move first layer a few pixels up-down-right or left etc. It gives the text some depth.

If your referring to text that resembles a photoshop look..i haven't run across anything that good.

Fairyy~

on May 09, 2006

There is another program that buzzh58 sent me for fonts. The free version doesnt offer everything ( of course ) but the free one has some good font effects.
Its called " Photo Filter " If you can't find the link to it - let me know, I'm sure buzzh58 will remember where he got it.

Fairyy~

on May 09, 2006

These fonts were done with free version of Photo Filter - all are .gif except last was saved as a .jpeg.

Double Zero

on May 10, 2006

Fairyy,
I like the 2cnd one the best..LoL..needs a little sharpening, but thats cool for a free prog!

Possibly a good idea...provided it is solely for posting links, etc and not for discussions, etc which would dilute the benefits with extraneous dross..

Theres going to be some discussion, questions, general pro's and cons of the proggie in question, likes/dislikes etc..

I suppose under those guidelines it just isnt going to happen...

Bichur

on May 10, 2006

Photo Filter

Photo Filtre but the English download link keeps timing out.

TheGuyPC

on May 10, 2006

I'm thinking maybe it would be a good idea for submissions to be made to the admin's. Much like you might submit to a freeware site.

Realistically, just a post could create this. Then the admin's could post the links in a sticky as they see fit...in a locked forum.

I'm thinking that as a new member, it would be a easy way to find out what others are using.

I'm interested in the "paid" programs as well. For instance, I've thought about getting Photoshop or, Paint Shop Pro. I'm not experienced enough to know the difference. When you look at the descriptions, on their site, it doesn't really mention using it to do this kind of thing. I've also see Bryce (?) mentioned?

Giving a "Heads Up" to new people can only lead to new submissions, and that leads to more customers and, profits. Clearly this is not a freeware site but, if you want someone to help you build a garage and they don't have a hammer...it could be beneficial to help them out. Particularly if the hammer's free.

BTW Fairyy~ thanks for posting those examples. I'm going to download that and try it. I've kinda been hoping to find something that can create the "glassy" look with text and/or a "gel" look. I'm at a loss to post a pic of what I'm talking about. I've seen it, I just don't have the link.

Does Photo Filter not allow the "~" character? I noticed it missing. ??????

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