Editing digital images was once considered a task that was limited to those with a big budget. If you had the money to purchase “non-crappy” image editing software like Photoshop you were considered lucky. These days any one with a computer can have access to Photoshop-like software that is not only free but one that doesn’t have to be downloaded. These tools can now be used in the “cloud” right in your browser and the finished image can then be downloaded to your computer or send to sites like Facebook, Photobucket, Picasa, etc.
Below are four of my favorite online image editing tools.
Sumo Paint Editor
1. Sumo Paint
Sumo Paint is a graphics editor that was built using Adobe Flash. Sumo Paint offers simple but powerful tools for users to create images online. The final results can be saved into your computer or stored online. You can share your image with other users through the gallery feature. Although the entire website (including its main page) was built using flash, the loading speed is quite fast, which is an advantage compare to other flash-based application. It also includes Filters and other cool features. Here is the complete list:
* The Shape Tools
* Ink Brushes and Default ones
* Filters and Gradient tool
* Gravity, Shape tool, zooming
* Swatches, Color Picker and more which you can read on the site itself
Click here to try it out!
2. Splashup
Splashup, formerly Fauxto, is also another powerful editing tool and photo manager. With the features professionals use and novices want, it’s easy to use, works in real-time and allows you to edit many images at once. Splashup runs in all browsers, integrates seamlessly with top photo-sharing sites like Photobucket, flickr, Facebook and Picasa, and even has its own file format so you can save your work in progress. It offers features like:
* Editing multiple images
* A nice selection of Brushes
* Layer effects
* Filters
* and even a Webcam mode
Click here to try it out!
3. Picnik
Picnik is photo editing online, in your browser. It gives real people photo editing superpowers. Picnik makes your photos fabulous with easy to use yet powerful editing tools. Tweak to your heart’s content, then get creative with oodles of effects, fonts, shapes, and frames. It also include other cool features. Here is the complete list:
* Fix your photos in just one click
* Use advanced controls to fine-tune your results
* Crop, resize, and rotate in real-time
* Tons of special effects, from artsy to fun
* Astoundingly fast, right in your browser
* Awesome fonts and top-quality type tool
* Basketfuls of shapes from hand-picked designers
* Works on Mac, Windows, and Linux
* No download required, nothing to install
Click here to try it out!
4. Pixlr
Pixlr is the creator of online cloud-based image tools. The pixlr services is built for both non-professionals and professional users with editing needs such as editing web images to be posted on social networks like Facebook, MySpace, Bebo, or image sites like Flickr, Fotolog, Photobucket etc. It’s also widely used by professionals for fixing images for news sites and blogs etc. Since the editors are Flash-based, how they run depends on what kind of computer you have. If it is lagging you can try to shut down other web page that might be running Flash ads or close other software on your computer that is taking a lot of CPU. Pixlr also gives access to it’s API which enables web developers to use Pixlr applications on their own site. Everything that is done on this site can be done on yours. Added advanced image editing capabilities is very easy. Using the API is completely free, although if you expect to send us a lot of traffic please warn us beforehand.
