Paint.NET Review

Pros

• Font previews in font selection drop down
• Suitable for producing a complete design if limited text

Cons

• Limited control over text
• Lacks layer effects

I wouldn't recommend using any pixel-based image editor for producing complete designs; their purpose is really to produce elements that can be incorporated into layouts in desktop publishing applications. However, it is possible to use applications like Paint.NET in that way, as long as there isn't too much text content; some users prefer to work like this.

Text is edited directly on the image, unlike in GIMP, though there are limited options for controlling the text. It should be noted that once text is deselected it is no longer editable. Users would also be advised to add a new layer before adding text to an image as otherwise text is applied directly to the currently selected layer and cannot be deleted separately. There is not an option to insert text into a text box so line breaks need to be inserted manually.

While Paint.NET supports layers, it doesn't include layer effects, though some familiar effects, such as Bevel and Emboss are options within the Effects menu. The application doesn't support the CMYK color space, offering RGB and HSV options.

Paint.NET uses its own .pdn file format, but files can also be saved in other more common formats for sharing, including JPEG, GIF and TIFF. There isn't an option to save TIFF files with layers as seen in Adobe Photoshop.

Overall, Paint.NET is an accomplished free pixel-based image editor with plenty to recommend it. It may not be the most feature-rich application in its basic state, but the plug-ins system means that you can customize the software to your specification and add features that are more important to you. Some of my favorite things about Paint.NET are:

• Plug-ins system with wide selection of free plug-ins
• Clear and well ordered user interface
• Comprehensive range of image adjustment features
• Active community for support, advice and tutorials

There are however some aspects that do undermine the application a little

• Absence of Dodge and Burn tools
• Layer masks are not part of default install
• Limited brush options
• Text no longer editable when deselected

I find it hard not to like Paint.NET due to its lack of pretense and effective interface. It isn't the most powerful free pixel-based image editor available, but first-time users will likely find it a more coherent experience than using GIMP. That said though, GIMP is perhaps a more rounded application, though Paint.NET's wide variety of free plug-ins arguably go some way to closing that gap.

The weakness in text editing can be largely overlooked as that shouldn't be an important feature in a free pixel-based image editor like Paint.NET, but the lack of layer masks, layer effects and the limited brush options do impact upon the overall ability of the application, particularly for creative purposes. It is in image enhancing where Paint.NET shines most. For less experienced photographers looking for an effective free tool for improving images straight from their camera, this is worth a look.

This review was based on Paint.NET 3.5.4. The latest version of the software can be downloaded from the official Paint.NET website.