Inkscape is a Free Software vector graphics editor (a.k.a advanced image manipulation). Like all other free softwares, this softwares still under constant development to compile in to a powerful graphic tool while being fully compliant with the XML, SVG and CSS standards.

Since Image editing being a diversified profession, the softwares is built on cross-platform application so that it can run on Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X and Unix-like operating systems; although optimized for Linux, which being the primary development platform. At present the software is capable of supporting Vector graphics features include basic shapes, paths, text, markers, clones, alpha blending, transforms, gradients, and grouping. Add on to it , Inkscape supports Creative Commons’ metadata, node-editing, layers, complex path operations, text-on-path, text-in-shape, and SVG XML editing.

It also compatible with various file formats like EPS, PostScript, JPEG, PNG, BMP, and TIFF for imports and exports PNG as well as multiple vector-based formats. The Inkscape movement gained momentum in 2003 as a extension of the vector drawing editor Sodipodi. Inkscape at this stage does not have as many features as the best commercial vector editors, but it is suitable for a wide range of applications. A lot of Inkscape’s feature are still in developmental stages like the implementation of SVG and CSS standards is incomplete; or implementation SVG filter effects, animation, and SVG fonts. But don’t worry, Inkscape is still in active development, with new features being added periodically.

Major Features of Inkscape are:

1. Object creation (pencil tool, pen tool, calligraphy tool rectangles, ellipses, stars/polygons, spirals, text tool, embedded bitmaps, clones)
2. Object manipulation (Affine transformations, Z-order operations, Grouping objects, Layers, Copying and pasting objects, Alignment and distribution commands)
3. Fill and stroke (Color selector, Color picker tool, Copy/paste style, A gradient editor capable of multi-stop gradients, Pattern fills, Dashed strokes, Path markers)
4. Operations on paths (Node editing, Converting to path, Boolean operations, Path simplification, Path insetting and outsetting, Bitmap tracing)
5. Text support (Multi-line text, Uses any installed outline fonts, including right-to-left scripts, Kerning, letter spacing, line spacing adjustments, Text on path, Text in shape)
6. Rendering (Fully anti-aliased display, Alpha transparency support for display and PNG export, Complete “as you drag” rendering)
7. Miscellaneous (Live watching and editing the document tree in the XML editor, Command line options for export and conversionsm, Perfectly compliant SVG format file generation and editing)

Photofiltre, is a digital image editing, the brainchild of Antonio Da Cruz and Benjamin Fournier who have done a exemplary job in creating a simple, easy-to-use tool. This is best tool for anyone with some basic familiarity with digital imaging who wants get the job done in a natty manner instead of getting in to involuted softwares like the Photoshop or Paint Shop Pro without paining your pockets.

Photofiltre is a one stop solution to most of your daily photo editng issues. It can help you in file format conversion, batch editing operations, manual and automatic selections, selection of editing paths, antialiasing, over 100 pre-set image filters, resizing, cropping, rotating, masks, transparency, multiple undos, multiple images open at the same time and integration of text into an image,

Unlike Adobe or Corel, this software is designed for the use by a layman. Hence, the interface is straightforward with a toolbar that compromises most frequently used functionalities under easy to recognize icons. So it should take you only a few minutes to get accustomed to Photofiltre, then it will feel smooth and intuitive like you were born using this software. The performance of the program is another added advantage that helps this software. It loads fast and performs without glitches. The commands and menus are all laid out according to familiar conventions and popular standards established by the more popular tools in this sector. Another secret for its popularity can be directly attributed to the multilingual interface it provides. It is available in 11 languages which are English, French, Dutch, Portuguese, Spanish, German, Italian, Russian, Swedish, Spanish Catalan and Czech.

Don’t be deceived by its naive looks. Behind all that innocent face of this software, it has an array of default filters which you will find in an advanced software. Miscellaneous features like automatic conversion and batch editing facility will help you with basic photo management. For example you want to rename your summer trip photos from JPG to TIF in a single click, then this software can do it in blink of an eye. Not only that, you can also crop, brighten, apply filters, resize and whatever you want. The only disadvantage is that you can deal a photo in layers which many nubile nerds will call a huge handicap but if you sum up all the features, the odds will stack up in favor of Photofiltre.

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Paint.NET is yet another open-source and free photo editing software program which started off as a student project in 2004. Designed to supplant Microsoft Paint, a Windows bundle package software, but has evolved into a viable alternative to Photoshop. It has enticed a lot of graphic designers, web and digital artists as well as digital photographers who are addicted to photo editing softwares.

For a Photoshop user the transition is a whole lot easier since the the interface is extremely intuitive in other words read the documentation before you start to fool around. On the positive side it is easy to learn. The software is very well organized and easily accessible to all tools. The only tool a little difficult to figure out is the crop tool.

This application contains most of the basic features digital photographers need to correct their photos such as Red-Eye removal, Curves – allows you to adjust the depth of every shade in a photo, Levels – allows you to modify the color range of an image, Auto Levels, Brightness & Contrast, Hue & Saturation and Cloning Tool – allows you to remove slight imperfections in a photo. The color editing tools are limited, nevertheless they are indispensable to any photo editing softwares. These include the Black & White, Sepia, Posterize – allows you to decrease the number of colors each pixel is allowed to have. Instead of the usual 256 colors, you can pick from 2 to 64 and Invert Colors

aint.Net offers limited effects for digital photographers, but this is where the photoeditor artistic instinct needs to take control. The editing an image requires the photographer to be perspicacious as well as prescience to generate masterpieces. The most unique function “Artistic” options where the user can change the photo to look like an ink drawing, a pencil drawing or an oil pastel. Additionally, the Sharpen function can also help to slightly enhance definition in your images and an the interesting Glow feature will do the exact opposite- Soften Portrait.

Well, Paint.net has a whole lot to offer that can make even the most established softwares like Adobe and Corel gasp for breath. The layer support, infinite undo, action history, and the ability to rotate and resize gives this software unfair advantage even among free photoediting softwares. Even the best of commercial photo editing software will be suprised by this software.

Well, why should one go for Paint.net other than it is free? Paint.NET has an active open source community support that continuously innovates this software by regularly releasing developmental add-ons and improvements. They also make the transition to paint.net easier by contributing plugins and tutorials to the forum, and even for an nubile user, a big help to expand the capabilities of the program. The verdict: Go for it!