Adobe Photoshop CS6 is photo-editing software developed by Adobe. This program is available for both Windows PC and Mac. Although Photoshop is designed for professional work, it can also be used to fix your images even if you've never used this kind of program before. Photoshop 7.0 is most Popular and best editing software. It is like by all the genre of the people, and also so the first choice of the professional and common users. For further details, you can read Adobe photoshop 7.0 Review.
If you need to edit or manipulate a photo or other image, in all likelihood you've considered using Adobe Photoshop to do so. First released almost thirty years ago, this powerful editing software is preferred by some of the world's top designers and can be utilized to create almost anything the imagination can conjure up. Many graphics-intensive movies and video games, as well as stunning works of art, have come to fruition with the help of Photoshop at some point along the way during the creative process.
Although you can pay monthly as opposed to a one-time fee, the price of running Photoshop can prove to be prohibitive. Hope is not lost, however, as there are several alternatives available which offer some of Photoshop's features and will not cost you a penny to use. Each of these free applications offers their own unique functionality, and some may be better suited than others when it comes to meeting your specific needs.
Adobe Photoshop CS3 software, the professional image-editing standard and leader of the Photoshop digital imaging line IrfanView 4.51 IrfanView is a fast and compact image viewer/converter.
For example, not all free Photoshop alternatives support the Adobe application's default PSD format. Others, meanwhile, will not be able to recognize some multi-layered Photoshop files. Limitations aside, one of the free options listed below (or a combination of several) may be exactly what you are looking for to create or modify an image.
GIMP
What We Like
Constantly updated with new features.
Highly customizable and extensible.
What We Don't Like
Limited support for layers, macros, and custom shapes.
Cluttered UI with annoying floating windows.
One of the most full-featured Photoshop alternatives, GIMP (short for GNU Image Manipulation Program) offers such a large set of features that even the most complex tasks can be achieved without any strain on your budget. They say that you get what you pay for, but in GIMP's case, that idiom doesn't necessarily ring true. With a very active developer community that has historically listened to user requests and feedback, this free option continues to grow as raster editor technology expands.
While not always as intuitive as Photoshop in terms of functionality and design, GIMP makes up for some of its perceived clumsiness with several in-depth tutorials for both beginning and advanced users that help you use the majority of its components with little or no pre-existing knowledge of the open source application. With that said, if you're only looking for the very basics in a raster-based graphics editor then GIMP may actually be a little too much and you may benefit from one of the simpler alternatives on our list.
Available in almost twenty languages for Linux, Mac, and Windows platforms, GIMP recognizes almost all file formats that you'd expect from a paid editor like Photoshop including GIF, JPEG, PNG and TIFF among others, as well as partial support for PSD files (not all layers may be readable).
Also similar to Photoshop, a large number of third-party plugins are available that enhance GIMP's functionality further. Unfortunately, the main repository that houses them is outdated and hosted on an insecure site, so we cannot recommend utilizing registry.gimp.org at this time. However, you can also find some GIMP plug-ins hosted on GitHub. As always, download at your own risk when dealing with unverified third-party repositories.
- Linux
- macOS
- Windows
Pixlr
What We Like
Extensive layer support with multiple blending modes.
Includes built-in filters and adjustment tools.
What We Don't Like
No social media integration.
Layer masks tool is cumbersome to use at first.
A browser-based alternative to Photoshop, Pixlr is owned by well-known software developers Autodesk and is quite robust when it comes to available features and allows for progressive editing and enhancing as well as original image design.
The Pixlr Express and Pixlr Editor web apps will run in most modern browsers as long as you have Flash 10 or above installed and offer a significant number of integrated filters along with limited layer support. Pixlr recognizes the main culprits when it comes to graphical file formats such as JPEG, GIF, and PNG and also allows you to view some PSD files, although those larger in size or complex in nature may not open.
Satellite receiver software. The web-based Pixlr even has a handy Webcam feature built right into its dashboard that lets you capture and manipulate photos on-the-fly.
In addition to the browser version, Pixlr also has free apps for both Android and iOS devices that let you perform a number of editing features from your smartphone or tablet. The Android app is so popular, in fact, that it has been installed on well over 50 million devices.
- Chrome OS
- Linux
- macOS
- Windows
- Android
- iOS
Paint.NET
What We Like
Streamlined interface is a breeze to navigate.
Helpful keyboard shortcuts.
What We Don't Like
UI lacks a tool for managing plug-ins.
Text can't be edited after it's deselected.
A free Photoshop alternative strictly for Windows versions 7 through 10, the Paint.NET interface is reminiscent of the operating system's Paint application; the traditional image editing tool for PC users worldwide. The similarities are no coincidence, as the original developer's intent was to replace MS Paint with something a little better.
That was a long time ago, and Paint.NET has since grown by leaps and bounds to the point where it's comparable in some ways to the more advanced editing software on the market, both free and paid. This includes the ability to use multiple layers and blending, all the while maintaining a fairly simple interface that lends itself to even the most novice user. If you do get stuck, the Paint.NET forums are an invaluable source for assistance where inquiries are sometimes answered in mere minutes. Couple that with the tutorials found on the same website and this Windows-only graphics editor offers a user-friendly experience.
Although Paint.NET does not provide some of the higher-end functionality of Photoshop or even GIMP, its feature set can be expanded upon through the use of third-party plugins. For example, the application does not natively support PSD files but can open Photoshop Documents once the PSD plugin is installed.
The self-proclaimed fastest image editor available, Paint.NET can run in almost two dozen languages and is free to use for both business and commercial use with no restrictions.
- Windows 7 or higher
PicMonkey
What We Like
Supports cloud storage integration.
You can make custom collages without signing up.
What We Don't Like
No layer support.
Free version is rather limited.
Another platform-independent, web-based design and editing tool with a lot to offer is PicMonkey, which was seemingly designed with the neophyte user in mind but also packs a punch for those looking for more state-of-the-art features. As long as you have a browser running Flash, PicMonkey is accessible on virtually any platform and lets you start your creation from scratch or begin editing an existing image file in under a minute.
PicMonkey will not replace Photoshop's more advanced functionality and you won't have much luck with PSD files, but it is ideal for working with filters and even creating collages from within your favorite browser. The free version offers quite a bit in terms of features, but you'll need to pony up some cash if you want access to some of the app's exclusive effects, fonts, and tools as well as an advertisement-free experience.
The premium adaptation of PicMonkey features a 7-day free trial that can be activated by providing your email address and payment information. If you want to continue using its advanced functionality long-term, though, a monthly fee of $7.99 or $47.88 for an annual membership is required.
With an oft-updated blog featuring a bevy of tips and tutorials, you should be able to figure out whether or not PicMonkey is the right option to suit your needs within the week-long trial period.
Smartphone and tablet users may also want to try the free PicMonkey Photo Editor app, available for both Android and iOS platforms.
- Chrome OS
- Linux
- macOS
- Windows
SumoPaint
What We Like
Great layer support.
Affordable pro package.
One of our personal favorites, SumoPaint's interface will look very familiar if you have past Photoshop experience. The similarities are more than just skin deep, too, as its layering functionality and fairly wide range of editing tools, including several brushes and wand types, make it a formidable alternative.
The free version of SumoPaint runs in most Flash-enabled browsers and is mainly supported by on-page ads. There is also a Chrome Web App available for Chromebooks as well as users running Google's browser on other desktop operating systems.
More intricate projects may not be suitable for SumoPaint, and its file support is somewhat limited and does not include Photoshop's default PSD format. You can open files with traditional image extensions such as GIF, JPEG, and PNG while edits can be saved in the app's native SUMO format as well as JPEG or PNG.
If you try the free version and feel that SumoPaint is what you've been looking for, then you may want to give Sumo Pro a whirl. The paid version allows for an ad-free experience as well as access to additional features and tools for about $4 per month if you pay for a year in advance. Sumo Pro also offers a downloadable version of its software that can be used while offline, as well as access to a dedicated technical support team and cloud storage.
- Chrome OS
- Linux
- macOS
- Windows
Krita
What We Like
Customizable interface.
Brush tools feature detailed previews.
What We Don't Like
Updates are often unstable.
Consumes a lot of CPU resources.
An interesting editing and painting tool, Krita is an open source application that has seen its feature set expand significantly in recent years. With a nifty palette and a seemingly endless amount of brush customizations which can be stabilized to smooth out even the most unsteady hand, this Photoshop alternative supports most PSD files and offers advanced layer management.
Free to download, the regularly updated desktop application also utilizes OpenGL and allows you to author and manipulate HDR images among many other benefits. Available for Linux, Mac, and Windows, Krita boasts a fairly active forum containing sample artwork created by members of its user community.
There is another version of Krita optimized for ultrabooks and other touchscreen PCs, named Gemini, available from Valve's Steam platform.
- Linux
- macOS
- Windows
Adobe Photoshop Software Free Trial
Adobe Photoshop Express
What We Like
No registration required.
Excellent white balance adjustment with numerous presets.
What We Don't Like
Requires an internet connection to use.
Only edits JPEG files.
While Adobe charges a fee to use its main Photoshop software, the company does offer free image editing tools in the form of the Photoshop Express application. Available for Android, iOS and Windows tablets and phones, this surprisingly capable app allows you to enhance and tweak your photos in a number of ways.
In addition to correcting issues such as red eye with just a tap of the finger, Photoshop Express also makes it easy to apply unique effects and incorporate custom frames and borders before sharing your pictures on social media or elsewhere from right within the app itself.
- Windows 8.1 or higher (desktop or tablet)
- Windows Phone 8.1 or higher
- Windows 10 Mobile
Adobe Photoshop does not need any introduction. It has been the professional image-editing standard for decades, and we use it as a verb for photo manipulation. In addition, countless amateur users have searched for a free Photoshop download. While there are several alternative applications, on this guide we will download Photoshop legally and for free from Adobe.
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Table of Contents
- How can a free Photoshop download be legal?
How can a free Photoshop download be legal?
As you probably know, Adobe Photoshop is a commercial program, the price of which used to be quite high. The last standalone version, CS6, started at $699. The extended CS6 edition could go all the way up to $2,599.
Since 2013, Adobe changed its pricing model, turning Photoshop into a pay-as-you-go service. The latest Creative Cloud (CC) versions are only available as Adobe subscriptions.
If we want to use Photoshop for a single month, it will cost us $29.99. We can get discounted options for a monthly commitment of one year, or if we prepay for the whole year.
It's certainly more cost effective than buying the CS6 version. However, if we are not earning money from our work with Photoshop, it's hard to justify the cost just for the occasional crop, resize, or filter.
So, how is it possible to download Photoshop for free from Adobe?
How we got a free Photoshop download
The key to this whole deal is that Adobe allows a free Photoshop download only for an old version of the app. Namely Photoshop CS2, which was released in May 2005.
CS2 was one of the first versions of the Photoshop, if not the very first, with Internet activation. It needed to communicate with an Adobe server to activate the program.
Around 2013, Adobe had to disable the activation server for CS2 products, 'because of a technical issue.' The company has not provided any additional information on the nature of this problem.
Since there is no server to activate the program anymore, this posed a problem for Adobe clients who had bought Photoshop CS2. The company had to provide an alternative method for activation.
The 'technical issue' would suggest that this would be a temporary solution. However, it has proven to be anything but. Since it is an old version of Photoshop, Adobe hasn't bothered to re-launch the CS2 activation server and probably doesn't plan to do so.
As a result, it is possible even today to download Photoshop CS2 from the Adobe website. CS2 might be more than a decade old, but it sure beats risking any illegal method for Photoshop download, especially for occasional users.
After all, how many casual, non-professional users use even a 10% of Photoshop's functions? And how many need the latest version instead of CS2?
How to download Photoshop for free
To download Photoshop CS2, we'll first need to create an Adobe ID account or sign in if we already have one.
If you have to sign up, make sure you type the password right, because the sign-up process won't ask for confirmation.
Having completed our Adobe registration, we can download Photoshop for free at https://helpx.adobe.com/creative-suite/kb/cs2-product-downloads.html?promoid=19SCDRQK
We scroll down the page and select the language of our choice.
We will find several different CS2 products that we can download for free. For this guide, we will only download Photoshop. Of course, you are free to download whichever applications you want.
The English version of the Photoshop CS2 installer is 340MB. It should download in less than five minutes with an average ADSL line.
For a faster download experience, we can use a download accelerator, such as BitComet.
Even though there is a version for Mac, Photoshop CS2 only works on PowerPC Macs, the only version of Mac that existed in 2005. We can not install it on current models with Intel CPUs. So, it's only possible to download Photoshop CS2 for Windows.
Coincidentally, 2005 was the year that Steve Jobs announced the transition for Macintosh computer to Intel CPUs, and the first Intel-based models went for sale in January 2006. So, if CS2 had come out a year later, there would probably be compatibility with Intel Macs.
How to install Photoshop for free
After we have downloaded the installer, we locate it in our downloads folder and run it.
The installation is simple. At the serial number prompt, we copy and paste the following:
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The most observant among you have noticed that is is the serial number Adobe provides at the download page. Apparently, it's a special serial number that does not require an internet activation.
Soon afterwards, the installation is complete.
When we start Photoshop, we will get a 'Registration' screen, which we can safely ignore. However, no matter if we select 'Register Later' or 'Do Not Register,' we will keep getting it every time we start Photoshop.
Adobe Photoshop Free Software For Pc
And this is it. The environment where many graphic designers, photographers, architects, engineers, artists had worked for hours each day in 2005 and the following years.
Photoshop CS2 is fully functional at the latest version of Windows 10, which is Creators Update, as of this writing.
Shortly after launching, Adobe Updater will open. Since there is nothing to update, we can clear the checkbox. As opposed to the registration prompt, the updater won't bother us again.
Can I use this free Photoshop in my business?
As you probably know, many countries have a much stricter policy on pirated software when it is for commercial use than for personal home use.
Even though we downloaded Photoshop from Adobe, and didn't use any illegitimate ways to activate it, we don't own a CS2 license. Adobe makes it abundantly clear that the particular website is for CS2 license owners.
Therefore, if you have a business, we urge you to consult your lawyer on whether it is lawful to download Photoshop CS2 and use it for free.
With other free image editing applications like GIMP, which is quite easy to make it look and work like Photoshop, there is no question of legitimacy for professional use.
Will Adobe provide free Photoshop download options for other versions?
Based on Adobe's explanation on why they allowed the CS2 Photoshop download in the first place, it seems highly unlikely that we will get the chance to download Photoshop CS3, CS4, CS5, or CS6 in the future.
There is also no guarantee that it will be possible to download Photoshop for free with this method in six months, a year, or in the distant future. Adobe had removed the links once in the past, and they might do it again.
However, if you download the installation file, you can use Adobe's serial number to install Photoshop for free as many times as you like.
Lastly, we tested the Photoshop download and installation in the newest Creators Update version of Windows 10. It is possible that it will not work on a future Windows 10 versions. After all, Photoshop CS2 was designed to operate on Windows XP.
Did you have any problems downloading Photoshop for free?
Anything in the guide did not work as we described? Did you have any trouble downloading Photoshop? Did everything go swimmingly? Let us know in the comments below.
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