Programs and services for working with vector, raster and 3D-graphics on different platforms.
The most advanced graphic editors like the tools from Adobe cost a lot of money. But there are free and quite decent alternatives, which will suffice for most users. Here are applications for working with vector, raster, and 3D graphics for all occasions.
SVG-Edit
Platform: web.
If you need to quickly create or edit a simple SVG file, there are several online editors that are as good as Adobe Illustrator for this task. The best of them is SVG-Edit.
This graphic editor is all in HTML5, CSS3 and JavaScript and doesn’t use any servers for data processing. The code for SVG-Edit is open-source. So if you want you can download it and modify it to create your own version of the program.
SVG-Edit has all the basic tools of a vector editor. But it only supports SVG format.
BoxySVG
A simple tool for creating scalable vector graphics, which will be useful for both novice web designers and developers, as well as professionals. BoxySVG runs right in your browser and handles its tasks as well as desktop editors.
The application features an intuitive interface and high speed. The arsenal of options and features not as great as in professional software, but includes all the necessary tools, including pencils, brushes, text, cloning, forms and more. BoxySVG supports keyboard shortcuts and all popular file formats for exporting finished projects.
Photo Pos Pro
Platform: Windows.
If you work on Windows and do not need as many tools as GIMP, your ideal editor might be Photo Pos Pro. The latter is designed with an eye toward image manipulation, and does a great job with the typical tasks such as adjusting contrast, lighting and saturation. But Photo Pos Pro is also suitable for more complex manipulations.
This program boasts a very friendly interface and detailed help that helps beginners understand. If you want to make Photo Pos Pro even more functional, there are many extensions and plugins at your disposal.
Paint.NET
Platform: Windows.
Paint.NET is an alternative to the Paint program built into all versions of Windows. But don’t let the similarity of the names confuse you: it is a much more advanced and useful editor.
The development team focuses on ease of use and improves Paint.NET’s photo editing features rather than its graphic design capabilities. Nevertheless, Paint.NET allows you to control perspective, manipulate pixels on the canvas, clone selected areas, and so on.
With support for layers, a wide selection of selection tools, and adjustments like brightness, contrast, and curves, Paint.NET can be considered a worthy substitute for Photoshop.
RawTherapee
Platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux.
A powerful image editor for working with RAW files, providing access to advanced features. Its abundance of settings makes it rather difficult for beginners to master, but more advanced users will find a lot of valuable features.
RawTherapee will let you change the smallest details of your photos, adjust sharpness and color rendering, remove noise, as well as adjust exposure, white balance, curves and a lot of other parameters. Thanks to the non-destructive tools, the original photo remains unchanged until the work is ready.
SketchUp Free
Platform: web.
SketchUp Free can be called the perfect entry point into the world of 3D graphics. This editor introduces the beginner in a friendly way and forgives any mistakes made. You can start by simply drawing lines and shapes and then transform them into 3D objects.
If you need inspiration, you can download free models of various objects from the 3D Warehouse library through the search form on the SketchUp website.
Blender
Platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux.
Blender is an advanced free and open-source 3D graphics editor available for all major platforms.
The developers are constantly developing Blender. It supports all possible 3D graphics operations: modeling, texturing, animating, rendering, and linking objects.
ZBrushCoreMini
Platforms: Windows, macOS.
If you’re interested in the art of digital sculpting, try Sculptris from developer Pixologic. It’s equally good for all skill levels. Beginners get a clear starter tool, while experienced digital artists get a platform to quickly and easily implement ideas.
Sculptris is based on the ZBrush editor from the same developer, the most popular app for digital sculpting. When you’re ready to take it to the next level, you can easily switch to ZBrush.
Houdini Apprentice
Platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux.
Houdini is a 3D animation and visual effects tool that is often used to create movies, TV shows, and other media content.
The cost of the editor starts at $2,000. But the program’s developers, Side Effects Software, let you use the Houdini Apprentice version for free. It gives you access to all the features of the full version and allows you to hone your skills on personal projects. Only the Houdini Apprentice is for non-commercial and educational purposes only.
