These are software solutions that we can use right now to make edits, conversions , arrangements or slight changes to our photos. This is also something that has spread much more after the arrival of good lenses to mobile phones, and social networks.

We say this because right now anyone can take a picture with their terminal, make a small touch up in seconds, and share it on Facebook or Instagram . Well, in these lines we are going to focus on one of those free applications that has been around for a long time and has not stopped improving, Paint.net .

Features that define the Paint.net editor

You could say that this program focused on photo editing, as well as free, is considered valid for everyone. It goes without saying that it does not reach the complexity that Adobe Photoshop presents for example, so it does not have so many functions. However, it is also true that much of everything Adobe program offers, the user on foot, or does not need it, or does not know how to use it.

That is why for those looking for a software product to retouch their photos quickly and affordably, Paint .net is a great alternative. We say this because it presents us with everything necessary to be able to fix those photos a bit, change their appearance, or perform editing tasks, without too many headaches. To all this we must add that it has, in addition to the basic touch-up functions, with some more advanced, or even support to work with layers .

Touch-up program interface layout

For all this the program presents us with a user interface in which its elements are placed in such a way that it does not lead to confusion. By default, on the right side we find two sections that refer to the history of actions , and the layers we handle. At the same time the color panel and the function bar is on the left, while at the top, we find the usual menus.

As we can see in the mentioned function bar, we will have at our disposal the most common in this type of programs. Thus we have a zoom , eraser, gradient, a clone buffer, brushes , selectors of various types, or the text tool. All this will be very helpful when it comes to work with our personal images.

In the case that we want to carry out other more specific jobs, we can always opt for using the menu at the top. From here we can rotate the images from the Image menu, or modify the contrast, brightness or levels, from Settings.

Image format compatibility

How could it be otherwise, this retouching and editing program is compatible with most current image formats. The truth is that there are many of these formats that we can find at the moment, but in most cases, they are always used. With everything and with it, in Paint.net we find that we can open the most common, as well as some a little less.

In this way, what is intended is that we do not have problems when accessing these image files from this program, whatever their source. That is why we will now show you the main compatible formats in the software.

• PNG
• JPEG
• HEIC
• AV1
• Webp
• TIFF
• PNG
• JPE
• GIF
• BMP
• EXIF
• AVIF

Paint.net, GIMP or MS Paint, what should I choose?

As we have mentioned before, there are many programs of this type, to edit photos, of which we can help now. However, within the free sector, along with the aforementioned Paint.net, GIMP and MS Paint are also very popular.

As many of you may already know, the first one is open source software known throughout the world. On the other hand, MS Paint is the simple touch-up solution that is integrated into Windows . Well, for those who have doubts about which one to choose, the solution is simple, the one that best suits their needs or requirements. For that you have to know first of all that Photoshop, Adobe’s powerful photo editor, but for a fee, is at the forefront in terms of functionality.

Also, many of those looking for a free but similar alternative in terms of power, opt for GIMP. This is due to everything that offers us input, together with the accessories that we can integrate additionally.

On the other hand we find MS Paint that you see in the attached image, perhaps the simplest proposal of all. But despite its simplicity, it has the necessary functions for most and we also have it at your fingertips in Windows. Therefore it could be said that Paint.net is somewhere in between the Microsoft solution, and the complexity of GIMP .

How to download Paint.net safely

Thus, in case you want to try this solution first hand, we can download it directly from its official website . In this way, the only thing you will have to do is download it from this link , where we find it for Windows computers in its different versions.

Therefore, if what you are looking for is a photo editor with support for layers but that does not give you many headaches, this is an excellent alternative. It is also free and allows us to edit and retouch our photos in a few seconds and intuitively.