Image editors have been around a while but we’re starting to see rapid growth of exceptional image editors which are all based online. If you haven’t used any of these yet, you’ll be surprised at the features they have and the speed they run at.
Though most of these are Flash-based, they all load really fast and work quite similarly to familiar editors like Photoshop and Illustrator. We also feature here some online applications built with Javascript which work just as well as the Flash-based apps.
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Pixlr
Pixlr is a online photo editor that was built with Flash (Nathan uses this often). The interface is set up like some of the more popular image editors you’d find in a desktop application. It can be a bit hard to understand if you’re not used to this kind of photo editing software, so if you are used to applications like Photoshop, GIMP, Paint.net, Paint Shop Pro, etc you’ll find this editor quite easy to navigate. Pixlr even allows you to open PSD files.
Sketchpad
Sketchpad is a simple but great paint/drawing application for using online. Flash is not required because this application was built on Javascript & HTML5. Sketchpad is, in my opinion, the best online solution for users who want to make simple drawings but don’t want to install any application in their computers.
QueekyPaint
QueekyPaint is a unique drawing tool for creating animated drawings online. Like Fauxto (the most powerful online drawing tool before it disappeared for some reason), QueekyPaint has a unique interface to help users easily interact with it. All major functions and effects in Photoshop can be found in this application.
Splashup
Splashup comes with a fancy interface. It’s really a Photoshop-alternative application built by Flash only. Splashup is really great at handling layers and has all the popular effects of Photoshop. If you are a fan of Photoshop, this one would probably suit you well.
Adobe Photoshop Online
A web-based version of Photoshop. Although it is less powerful than the desktop version, it supports all its major functions.
Phoenix Image Editor
From basic image retouching to complex effects, Phoenix has it all. Beside the effects, the user interface is really nice too.
Raven Vector Editor
You can use Raven to create fully scalable vector art appropriate for logos or tee shirt designs. Raven, of course, is nothing compared to Illustrator, but it’s a good alternative to those who don’t have it yet.
Sumo Paint
Sumo Paint is a fully featured photo editing and painting application which is definitely tailored for drawing (just see all the examples on their homepage).
Myoats
Myoats is a must-try. This application allows you to create both simple and complex symmetric designs, shapes and patterns. The design will be created inside a circle. If you are finding a great tool for create pattern, Myoats is my number one choice.
Basic Editors and Drawing Tools
For basic online drawing tools and image editors that are similar to Paint in Windows and fit your basic and simple requirements, we have a few more options. (These are great for kids too!)
Artpad Art.com
Canvastic
AllMy Magic Wizcard
LunaPic Online Photo Editor
Fotoflexer
Pixer
Phixr
Picnik.com
And more …
There are plenty of image editors and drawing applications that you can work with online. Here are a few more usable and light-weight tools for your portable and minimalist works.
- Flauntr
- Flashpaint
- Pixenate.com
- editor.pho.to
- Preloadr
- Know of one yourself? Tell us in the comments!
All of these are completely free to use and you don’t need to install any software other than a web browser and Flash (which, of course, most people already have). However, with some of them, you don’t even need Flash as they run on Javascript and/or HTML5. If you’re using a modern browser, these are all ready available to you. If we’re missing any, drop it in the comment section!
thanks for sharing this list , for me the first app is ill give a try
.-= sriganesh´s last blog ..Comic illustration by Brad Colbow =-.
Thanks for this awesome list, some of them is new for me will surely try them.
Great list, I will definitely try a few of those out.
excellent resource Lam cheers , I guess if these are similar to PS we will find them easy : )
.-= Benjamin Rama´s last blog ..Some Small Changes – Digital Art Empire Update =-.
Great round up
Some of them are new for me.
.-= Shurandy Thode´s last blog ..Illustrator tips Part 2: Inking, coloring and basic paths =-.
Thanks guys!
awesome list! Thanks Lam
.-= Sneh Roy´s last blog ..Happy Birthday LBOI – One Year Behind The Scenes =-.
Great list, I have used Pixlr in the past but didn’t realise there were so many online editors these days. I will be sure to try some more of them out.
Also, did you realise that the link for Artpad Art.com actually takes you to http://www.myoats.com/create.aspx? Always test everything, I can’t help it.
Thanks,
Tom
Thanks Tom, you did a good catch! I updated the list! Once again, I appreciate your correction.
Nice post man. Should be useful will give them try.
.-= Kawsar Ali´s last blog ..20 Must Know Recent CSS and CSS3 Resources and Tools =-.
This is a great list, I can see testing a bunch of these out and sending the best ones off to clients to use when sending me images for their web designs. Thanks!
.-= Boston Web Design´s last blog ..25 Beautiful Examples of “Coming Soon†Pages =-.
Awesome list. I new about a few of these already but wasn’t aware there were so many more available.
Fantástico!!
One more online drawing tool http://www.slimber.com/index.php?ln=en&r=1
There is a website where you can simply convert your photo to sketch or painting with maintaining actual size and that is totally free……
http://www.pixelstouch.com/
Great list, will be checking them all – mymoats is awesome. Keep up with feeding us, please!
Well, say Myoats, LOL
))
.-= Maciel´s last blog ..TIPA Awards: qual câmera e qual projetor comprar? =-.
THANKS, NOW THIS WILL SAVE ME TIME WHILE LOOKING FOR APPS WITH PAINT, DRAW AND PHOTO SHOP (WHICH I’M STILL LEARNING)
Introducing http://www.Fatpaint.com, a free, full featured, online graphic design software for doing layered painting, vector drawing, photo editing and page layout. It’s the first Flash based painting program with full support for pressure sensitive Pen Tablets.
Fatpaint has more drawing and painting features than any other online graphics application, and it has built-in thousands of graphical resources.
We have worked very hard developing Fatpaint and therefore we are interested in your feedback.
So any suggestions or/and ideas for improving the software would be highly appreciated.
Thanks.
Excellent list of drawing tools. This one is a good one too – http://www.drawinghowtodraw.com/ – for the 2nd part of the list (basic tools) … thanks for taking the time to put this together.
wow. Great list! Thanks for sharing this.
Here’s another online drawing app you might want to add:
http://sketch.odopod.com/