About the author:This guest article was written by Emma Best from Laptopical - a guide to the latest laptop reviews and laptop related news. You can also follow her on Twitter.
I've been using my MacBook Pro since a while now and I must say: I really love it. The most common app(s) that designers use has to be Adobe Photoshop (Or the full suite). The app(s) are great, but there is a downside: The price tag. Photoshop CS4 costs $699, CS4 extended is $999 and the full Creative Suite starts at an stunning $1799. For many people this is just a little bit too much to 'play around with'.
Luckily, there are also many free applications out there that can do the same kind of job that Photoshop could do for you. This article rounds up the best 15 free Mac Programs for Graphic Designers. Some of these applications can even do stuff that can't be achieved using Photoshop, or are much more simple to use.
Luckily, there are also many free applications out there that can do the same kind of job that Photoshop could do for you. This article rounds up the best 15 free Mac Programs for Graphic Designers. Some of these applications can even do stuff that can't be achieved using Photoshop, or are much more simple to use.
Keep your wallet in your pocket, since all these programs will cost you nothing.
GIMP
The most popular of all free photo editing software, GIMP stands for GNU Image Manipulation Program, and is highly-supported and frequently updated. Comparative to Photoshop, users can perform basic tasks such as photo retouching, color correction, and image size, or more complicated tasks like image composition and creation. GIMP has a scripting interface for advance users, as well as plugins, extensions, and filters.
Seashore
- A logo represents the brand or company and gives recognition to the enterprise. The innovative and attractive logo can substantially boost the business concerned. However, manual logo designing is a daunting task. Free logo maker software automates the process saving your time and effort. Besides trial versions free logo maker software download full version is also available.
- Jun 01, 2017 Here are the best of the best: 1. LogoMakr is one of the better free logo design tools I’ve ever come across. It provides you with an easy-to-use cloud interface from which you can add fonts, shapes, and a variety of free vector graphics. With the tool, it’s easy to change font sizes and alignments.
If you want GIMP, but don't have X11, then Seashore is the appropriate software for you. Based on GIMP, it has nearly all the settings and functions of the more advanced program without the higher requirements.
Inkspace
An excellent alternative to Adobe Illustrator and CorelDraw, Inkscape is a free vector graphics program supporting standard SVG format, as well as XML and CSS standards. This program can do everything you'll need in a vector graphics program - tracing, path operations, direct XML editing, etc. Import and export formats include all the common image types, including JPEG, PNG, and TIFF.
Front End Digital Media Workshop
Don't waste time manually resizing individual photos for your various projects. Front End Digital Media is a batch conversion app for images (as well as video and audio), and allows you to mass resize, resample, split, join, and up/down sample JPEG, PNG, TIFF, BMP, PSD, and PICT image files.
Image Tricks
The biggest appeal for the Image Tricks app is the ability to apply dozens of different filters to over 20 different image formats. The finished photos can then be exported as either TIFF, JPEG, or PNG.
Comipro Plus
Free Logo Design Software Mac
If you create cartoons of any type, Comipro Plus is an excellent app. Designed in Japanese but usable to English speakers, this program helps create modern-looking comics, including editing and adding word bubbles.
Google SketchUp
Different from a normal vector graphics program, Google's SketchUp allows you to not only create a design, but view it in 3D. It is easier to use than more complicated 3D software, such as AutoCAD, and is free.
Colorate
Colorate is used to change and manipulate the colors in a photo. The Library generates a color swatch based on the photo, then allow you to add a new color pallete, either blending the current one, creating a custom one, or randomizing a completely new pallete.
Goldberg
This program is best used for those times when you're viewing your photos, and notice that a color is slightly off, or a side needs cropped a bit more. Instead of firing up a full photo editing application, you can simply make minor adjustments, including color correction, blurs, noise, and embossing.
NIH Image
If you need to animate one of your photos or designs, this program is for you. It's compatible with a wide array of programs, and in addition to animating images, it can also perform minor tweaks to contrast, sharpening, smoothing, filters, and more. It also analyzes particles, angles, and paths.
Scratch
This program is so simple, it can be used also immediately with no prior instruction. It is used for creating small games, interactive art, and animated stories, and is primarily marketed to children. Despite it's juvenile market, it is an excellent tool for putting together quick interactive banners and images without the learning curve.
DAZ Studio
If you're in need of realistic 3D models, DAZ Studio is an easy-to-learn 3D program for creating 3D objects, including people, animals, and objects (buildings, cars, etc). DAZ Studio is easier to use than other 3D animation tools, and is perfect for creating surrealistic and 3D art.
Bryce
Built to run with the aforementioned DAZ Studio software, Bryce is used to create real-looking landscapes using photos of real landscapes. Take a picture of your yard, a forest, some mountains, or other landscapes, import it into Bryce, and then add all the elements needed to turn it into a new world.
ArchiCAD
Best Free Logo Maker Software For Mac
If you need a 3D design tool with more power and features than Google SketchUp, ArchiCAD is the right program to you. Similar to AutoCAD in both function and name, this program allows users to design their sketches and ideas into a realistic 3D render.
JAlbum
Every graphic designer requires an efficient way to keep all their photos and images organized. JAlbum is the ultimate photo organizer, as it not only allows you to organize your photos and folders using simple drag-and-drop functionality, but it also creates thumbnails and HTML pages of your photos for easy online publishing. The HTML pages to publish can be made to either export a gallery or a slide show. In addition, there's support for IPTC and EXIF data, lossless editing, image filters, style sheets, and an integrated FTP client.
Bonus: Pixelmator
I've added Pixelmator myself to this list, as Emma didn't include this app to her top 15 list. I really love to use Pixelmator myself and I don't think it should be missing from this amazing list.
Pixelmator, the beautifully designed, easy-to-use, fast and powerful image editor for Mac OS X has everything you need to create, edit and enhance your images.
Bonus: Blender
Just like Pixelmator, I've added Blender myself to this list, as Emma didn't include this app to her top 15 list. Blender is a great open source app for 3d content.
Blender is the free open source 3D content creation suite, available for all major operating systems under the GNU General Public License.
Are there more Mac Apps that you, as a graphic designer, love to use that is missing from the list above? Please share!
This guest article was provided to you by Emma Best from Laptopical.
Tags: guest articlemacappsgraphic designtoolsfree
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Spread the word and submit to:Whether it is for business or for personal use only, logo making has proven to be quite lucrative. And who are we kidding? It’s also fun do to. Most would just love to have personalized logos for their own use either for their business, computers or mobile phones. And when they find the right tools, people get hooked a lot in making logos for friends and loved ones. The best logo makers are more than adequate business solution either for big companies as well as small ones. Let me list a few of the most used logo maker for Mac and let you decide what suits your taste.
10. Adobe Photoshop CS6
Adobe Photoshop has got to be the most famous among photo editing and logo making software. Adobe has come a long way in updating and upgrading the Photoshop series in order to improve and make every second using this software worthwhile. This software can virtually do almost anything like making a logo from scratch or using various models to be altered or modified to suit your own specifications. For Photoshop users, the interface was not really altered a lot so you certainly will not get lost on this new version. Some minor tweaks and changes were made. Hint: new tabs and toolbox.
9. The Logo Creator
One more software that is worth mentioning in the imaging pool is The Logo Creator for Mac. This awesome application allows the user to make wonderful graphics for advertising. And how about personalized letterheads? This app offers a range of templates that you can choose from. Use it as guide, or you just make your own from scratch. Another cool feature of this app is that the templates can be modified as well, meaning there will be tons of options and designs that can be made. Being cheap, this software offers a really sweet deal.
8. GIMP
GIMP is the short name for GNU Image Manipulation program. This program has an array of powerful and unique image editing capabilities that certainly produces high quality output. One of the basic functions of this tool is the paint program that can make simple yet elegant graphics. Another amazing feature of this program is that it allows you to create your own images. There’s no limit to what you can imagine. It may also function as a retouching tool for images or photos that just needs that a whiff of editing to be absolutely perfect.
7. Pixelmator
Pixelmator is the closest than can be compared with Photoshop in terms of user interface. This software has all the necessary features needed for all your photo editing tasks as well as for logo making and image enhancing. Of course, this software has a demo version, and every page has a watermark. It’s a bit pricey, but the cost can be overlooked seeing that everything this software has to offer is worth every penny.
6. Seashore
Seashore offers almost the same features as GIMP since it is mainly based on the technology used on the latter. What makes Seashore different from GIMP is that is focuses more on the simplicity of enhancing, editing and making pictures for the users. IT allows for a lot of individuality. It is not yet so great as to replace professional editing methods but it does offer simple solutions for everyday editing and logo making needs.
5. LiveQuartz 2
LiveQuartz 2 is made just for Mac. The user interface of this program is easy to use. The creators made sure that anybody whether a newbie or a professional can use and create wonderful images with this application. LiveQuartz 2 has an array of very useful tools for editing and making logos and pictures that included multi-touch support features and various layer management options.
4. Paint.Net
Kids love to play around this application and draw just about almost anything. Even just playing around colors makes it fun for them. The interface of this software is so easy to use. Basic editing and creation is possible with this tool, the limit is only within one’s imagination. Paint does not boast a lot in terms of functionality but never belittle this program. As simple as it may look, wonderful and outstanding logos and images can be created with it.
3. Pixen
Pixen was specifically made for pixel artists. The goal of the creators was to enable the user to do intense and intricate pixel editing in order to make the pictures and logos more vibrant and alive. The most awesome feature of this software is that it has a stylish layer support in which virtually no other pixel editing software possesses. It is also equipped with numerous tools and animation options for an array of options. The user interface is also worth mentioning since it is stunning and spontaneous.
2. Sumo Paint
Sumo paint is another wonderful logo making application for Mac. It offers tools that will help you reach new ideas and take them to certain lengths. Operating this software is very smooth process. And the image processing is immensely optimized for fast pace editing and creation. What makes this application quite unique and flexible is that it can be used at around 22 languages. Wouldn’t that be easier if you are making and editing logos and using the features on your own terminologies? I certainly do so.
1. Color Splash Studio
Color Splash Studio allows the user to play with the colors of the medium being edited. Personal photos that are to be used eventually as logos would certainly look even better by applying the wonderful and wide array of color techniques and options this awesome has in store for you. This application also features social networking sharing –a very common feature for most photo editing and logo making software.
I hope that you now have an idea of what logo maker software that would suit your Mac computer. Logo making and image creations however do not simply rely on the application being used on it, it is mostly up to the user that makes every image and logo unique and beautiful.