Recently, I’ve switched to Mac. I need a program like Microsoft Paint to use for pixel art. Do you recommend any I could get for free?
Take a look at Pixen. It’s designed for pixel artists, and is free. If you’re looking for a program like MS Paint that goes beyond pixel art, a Mac alternative is Seashore. It’s free and open-source. If you’re willing to spend $99, Photoshop Elements
UPDATE: I made a mistake. Sure, I’ll admit it when happens! :) I left out GIMP, which is an awesome application, and it has many loyal fans. You’ll need Apple’s X11 installed, which is on your Installer Disk if you’re running 10.4 and up. If you’re on 10.3 - 10.3.9, you can get it here.
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May 26th, 2007 at 8:30 am
If you can’t afford Photoshop, there is only one product you should be using: GraphicConverter http://www.lemkesoft.com/. Even Apple has featured it as a productivity tool. It’s a Swiss Army Knife that I have yet to find an equal for on Windows. It’s also inexpensive but tremendously powerful. I use it every day.
May 27th, 2007 at 6:14 am
I second the GraphicConverter recommendation. I’ve been using it for many years. It will do what MS Paint will do, and a lot more. And it’s shareware.
May 27th, 2007 at 7:29 pm
This is exactly why I love comments from you guys. I looked at Graphic Converter and wasn’t impressed. But you guys have long-term experience with it and love it, so it adds so much more value.
Thanks for contributing!!!
May 28th, 2007 at 12:06 am
If you are a student or faculty/staff of a school or university you might want to look into your options as such. I know in my University system we can get the entire Photoshop Creative Suite for $249.
May 29th, 2007 at 2:52 pm
I’m surprised no one mentioned GIMP, it’s an excellent free open source app that’s similar to photoshop.
May 30th, 2007 at 6:58 am
Corel Painter Essentials 3 or Corel Painter may be the answer. You can try it for free - http://www.corel.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=CorelCom/ProcessLayout&lc=en&ppg=CorelCorp/Trials/Login&pid=1152105062026&cid=1153321176461
May 31st, 2007 at 12:21 am
Ya, the GIMP is easily on par with Adobe’s Photoshop, and was specifically created as a competition to it! It’s an amazing program for the professional image editor, and for newbie’s or anyone without time, there’s Google’s Picasa that is amazing for like grandma or someone who does want or care about gaussian blurs, etc. :)
June 1st, 2007 at 5:34 am
Just for a couple of Gimp follow up links:
Gimp.app
March 3rd, 2008 at 12:20 am
look into a windows emulator for mac. a program that can run exe files and transfer paint (a small program) to your mac computer.
Nothing beats mspaint for spriting.