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- This article is about alternatives to the Scratch built-in Paint Editor. For alternatives to the Scratch program, see Alternatives to Scratch. For information about the paint editor, see Paint Editor.
The Paint Editor included in Scratch can be limiting to advanced users. In addition to the paint editor, there are also many alternative image editing programs that Scratchers can use in order to take advantage of advanced features or techniques that these offer. Many of these alternatives are free; however, some of them must be purchased before use. There are two main types of image editors: bitmap/raster editors and vector editors.
Some programs mentioned here are used for drawing and painting art, rather than editing images and applying special effects.
 Note: | All prices listed are in US dollars. |
Bitmap/Raster
Bitmap/raster images are made from individual pixels. For example, if a bitmap image is resized bigger, the individual pixels will become bigger, making the image look pixelated. When a bitmap image is resized smaller, some pixels are removed. As such, quality will be lost when resizing these images.
Desktop Apps
The following items are software that can be downloaded to a desktop and can be used to make bitmap images.
- Paint
- Microsoft Paint is a simple graphics editor (similar to the Paint Editor) that comes bundled free with Microsoft Windows.
- Paint.NET
- Paint.NET was designed to replace Microsoft Paint and includes more advanced features like layers, transparency, and graphical effects. It is free to download and use, but it is only available for Windows.
- GIMP
- GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program) is a free, open source image editor that is similar to Photoshop. It runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux.
- Corel Vector (formerly Gravit Designer)
- Gravit Designer is a tool designed for making vector and bitmap art. It is free, but also has a $49.99/year Pro version. It is available for MacOS, Windows, Linux, and ChromeOS; it also runs in the browser.
- Adobe Photoshop
- Photoshop is a professional image editing program that is extremely powerful and runs on both Windows and macOS. It costs $9.99 per month, with a required 12-month minimum. There is a less advanced version of the software, Photoshop Elements, that costs $99.99.
- ArtRage
- ArtRage is an image editor and designed to create beautiful paintings. However, it costs $49.99 on Windows and macOS (a demo can be downloaded here). It can be also bought on a mobile device for $4.99 or $1.99.
- FireAlpaca
- FireAlpaca is a software designed for painting art rather than editing images and can be used also to create smooth and beautiful drawings. It can also be used to make comics. The version with ads is free and available for both Windows and macOS, otherwise, it costs $39.99 on Steam ad-free.
- PaintTool Sai
- PaintTool Sai is another piece of software designed for painting, available for only Windows. It costs $48.17 to use permanently, however, the user can download a 31 day trial for free.
- Krita
- Krita is a GIMP-like free and open-source KDE project. It is a Photoshop-like professional painting and photo editing program for both Windows, macOS, and Linux, just like GIMP.
Mobile Apps
The following items are apps that can be downloaded to a mobile device, and can be used to make bitmap images.
- Tayasui Sketches
- Tayasui Sketches is a virtual canvas for sketches, which includes oil pastel and watercolors. Also, images can be exported through "pro-export" into an iCloud drive or a photo library. Supports layers and transparency. This app is completely free, but there is a pro version upgrade for $4.99.
- Inspire Pro
- Inspire Pro Free features "breathtaking blending effects" and great precision at a fast speed. It has some special paint settings, such as glaze, random size and scatter. It also supports a pressure sensitive stylus! The pro version costs $9.99.
- MediBang Paint
- MediBang Paint is a painting application similar to FireAlpaca. MediBang comes with over 90 downloadable brushes, has a text cool with loads of fonts, has the ability to make comics and other resources like backgrounds. Has layers and transparency and supports stylus pressure. Has free cloud save and syncs brushes, colors, settings, etc for different devices. It is also possible to use the cloud to collaborate on MediBang projects. Images can be exported to the MediBang Paint online gallery. It is available on iTunes and Google Play for free.
- ibisPaint X
- ibisPaint X is a free application, but the user will need to watch ads or get the premium edition for additional brushes. Has an option to save photos as PNG files. There is also a paid version of the app for $7.99 USD.
Online Paint Editors
The following items are web application that can be used in your web browser, and can be used to make bitmap images.
- Pixlr
- Pixlr is a free online paint editor and photo editor. It includes layers, replace color, transform and more. There is also a desktop version available.
- Photopea
- Photopea is a free online advanced image editor and Photoshop clone. It includes every major feature of Photoshop and allows both editing and creation of raster and vector graphics. It is compatible with a variety of photo formats.
Vector
Vector images are made from mathematical calculations that form lines and objects. These images do not use pixels and therefore do not lose quality when zoomed in or out.
Desktop Apps
The following items are software that can be downloaded to a desktop and can be used to make vector images.
- Inkscape
- Inkscape is a free, open source vector graphics editor. It is generally used for drawing images rather than editing them.
- Adobe Illustrator
- Illustrator is Adobe's vector graphics editor. It operates on the same monthly pay model as Photoshop and costs $9.99 per month (with a 12-month minimum).
Online Paint Editors
The following items are web application that can be used in your web browser, and can be used to make vector images.
- Sumo Paint
- Sumo Paint is an online paint editor. It allows one to draw with realistic looking virtual paints, blenders, shapes, and tools such as the symmetry tool. One can also save paintings to the cloud or to one's computer. It is free, and does not require an account to use, though one could create an account. There is a downloadable version, but it is not required to run.
- Canva
- Canva is a free online graphic design website. Images of any size can be created and can be downloaded as many file formats, including .png, .jpg, and .svg. Note that to download an SVG from Canva you'll need to have a Pro subscription for $9.99/month.
Bitmap/Raster and Vector
The following is a list of programs that can draw in Vector and Raster form.
Downloadable Apps
The following items are software that can be downloaded to a desktop and can be used to make bitmap and vector images.
- Affinity
- Affinity is a free bitmap and vector graphics editor for Windows and macOS developed by Serif, a subsidiary of Canva.
Mobile Apps
The following items are apps that can be downloaded to a mobile device, and can be used to make bitmap and vector images.
- Sketch Club
- Sketch Club is a painting app for iOS. It has multiple different features for making bitmap and vector images. Images can be exported from it as a jpeg, a png, or a transparent png (an image without a background). It can be downloaded for $0.99.
Importing into Scratch
Below is explained how to import from alternative image editing programs into Scratch, which is, of course, necessary when you want to use graphics drawn outside of Scratch in your projects.
Bitmap/Raster
With bitmap graphics, this is very simple. Save the file in a common bitmap or raster format, such as .png, and then import this into Scratch.
Vector
Importing vector files into Scratch is a little more complicated. Scratch only accepts costumes in the .svg format, so other vector formats such as .eps or .ai cannot be imported into Scratch directly; such files must instead be converted to a .svg.
In Adobe Illustrator, this can be done through "Save as" and then choosing .svg when it asks you for the format (it will probably be .ai to begin with).
| Note: | All text must be converted into a vector path before saving, or it will not appear correctly in the Scratch editor. In Adobe Illustrator, this can be done through the command ‘create outlines’ after selecting the text. |
