Good Basic Graphics app

zorro2b · #1 April 25th, 2007, 12:47 AM

On windows I used Paint.net for basic image editing. On my Mac I have photoshop elements 2 which is OK but takes forever to load.

Are there any free or low cost image editors anyone can recommend for the Mac?

salival · #2 April 25th, 2007, 01:11 AM

Give GraphicConverter a try.

Mikuro · #3 April 25th, 2007, 01:14 AM

I've been a big fan of Color It since I first installed it on my 68k Performa 475 in 1994. It's recently been updated to run in OS X. It's relatively cheap ($60), and really good. The main problem is that it's very clearly a port of an OS 9 program. It's got some quirks, it's got some bugs, and worst of all for new users, they don't offer a demo.

As an old user, I took a chance and bought it, and I'm glad I did. I tolerate its quirks, because it's just so much better than everything else.

As much as I love Color It, your needs may be different from mine. So I recommend checking out some free (or cheap-with-demo) products first. If they suit you, great. If not, give Color It a look. Here are some apps that are good for what they do:

Graphic Converter. I think it's included on new Macs, so you should already have it installed.
Compositor
Pixen, which is geared towards 2D sprite design.
Seashore, a native OS X program based on the Gimp, but without most of its power.

zorro2b · #4 April 25th, 2007, 03:20 AM

Thanks, they look like excellent suggestions. I will check them out.

Andrew

justG · #5 April 25th, 2007, 03:53 AM

Another low-cost option, specifically for photo editing, is ChocoFlop. Hope it helps.

symphonix · #6 April 26th, 2007, 02:38 AM

Xee is handy as an image previewer which is free, very small and offers only basic resize/rotate options. It loads *very* fast and so is my default opener for most graphic files.

theMusicMan · #7 April 26th, 2007, 03:18 AM

Is there anything on the Mac similar in functionality to what IrfanView on PC offers?

Curiosity · #8 April 27th, 2007, 01:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by theMusicMan

Is there anything on the Mac similar in functionality to what IrfanView on PC offers?

The closest thing I know (for graphics) is ToyViewer, but it does not play sound files or movies. For sound files and movies, the most versatile application I know is VLC.