Free drawing programs: The best tools at a glance
Free drawing programs are in no way inferior to expensive professional tools. We have put together an overview of the best freeware in the graphics area for you.
Gimp: Free Photoshop competitor
The all-rounder Gimp is not only suitable for photo montages and retouching, you can also draw with the freeware without any problems.
- If the supplied brushes are not enough, you can create your own brushes or install brushes.
- GIMP also works wonderfully with common graphics tablets and even has various path tools.
- If you can't get used to the interface, which looks very different from the competitor Photoshop, install the Photoshop Theme Pack. Already the difference can hardly be determined. So nothing stands in the way of creative work.
MediBang Paint Pro - image editing with many features
With the free image editing program MediBang Paint Pro you get an image editor with many features on your PC. The surface is reminiscent of Photoshop.
- The previously released Android app already brought some editing options to smartphones.
- The desktop version enables even more options and is equipped with more modules and setting options. MediBang's own cloud enables cross-platform work on a drawing.
- The modules range from drawing tools from Paint to editing modules from Photoshop, such as layer editing. However, MediBang Paint Pro is particularly characterized by the modules that are essential for creating comics and mangas.
Inkscape: Free counterpart to Adobe Illustrator
Inkscape is a very good, free vector graphics program.
- In this German-language open source drawing program you can let off steam and design logos, banners or posters. Inkscape can now be seen as a direct competitor to Illustrator, comparable to Gimp and Photoshop.
- Inkscape is compatible with the SVG format. However, you can also easily import EPS, Postscript, JPG, PNG, BMP or TIF images. An export to PNG or other vector-based formats is possible.
- Inkscape offers numerous tools and different forms. Paths, texts, markings and clones are available and transparency effects (alpha), transformations, color gradients, patterns and groups are possible.
- The free tool also supports creative commons metadata, node editing, layers, complex path operations, bitmap tracing, path-bound text, object-surrounding text, direct XML editing and much more.
- In our Inkscape tutorial you will find tips and tricks for beginners.
LibreCAD - free CAD software
The CAD freeware LibreCAD allows you to implement geometrically complex 2D drawings exactly.
- With LibreCad you can also construct complex 2D outlines. Use the selection menu on the left to bring straight lines, arcs, ellipses, function graphs or simple points to the virtual drawing board.
- You can color outlines for a better overview. You can vary the line width or line shape as required. Save time with various options and the "Modify" category. Useful functions such as "mirroring", "scaling" or "rotating" are hidden here.
Krita - the free comic book professional
Krita is a powerful and completely free painting and drawing program with which you can create comics, mangas and other digital works of art.
- The powerful painting program is also suitable for professional applications. The free program is aimed at comic artists, illustrators and concept artists, among others.
- On the PC you can create comics, mangas, storyboards, illustrations, textures, matte paintings and any other type of digital artwork with Krita.
- Krita supports you with painting with high adaptability and can avoid you completely if you wish. You can rotate and mirror the work surface at any time. You can adjust the user interface to your needs using drag & drop. Krita is also compatible with Photoshop.
- You can also create your own cartoon films from the drawings. We will show you in another practical tip how this works and what you need for it.
In the next practical tip we will deal with free video editing and introduce you to the best free programs.