We often get clients asking us about image editing software. “I don’t have Photoshop. What now?” Luckily these days there are really great image editors available online and many are free. In fact a few are good enough to give some of the desktop apps out there a run for their money. Some have advanced functionality like layers and layer effects and mimic the desk top environment found on advanced software like Adobe Photoshop. But let’s face it - your average email marketer, staring a send deadline in the eyes, doesn't want to sift through complicated software and help files…
So… I have taken 6 of the top free online image editors and put them through their paces doing the kind of things an email marketer might require: resizing, cropping, adjusting color & contrast, deep-etching, adding text and lastly saving our new image.
Note: All 6 editors are Flash based so you will need a Flash plugin to run them. All tests were conducted using an 800x600pixels image I found in my Sample Pictures folder on Windows.
Pixlr
Pixlr is a Flash based free online image editor. The interface looks and feels like a desktop image editor. It supports pixel-level control, custom brushes, filters and advanced functionality like layers and layer effects. A simpler ‘express’ version is available for beginners or those in need of a quick fix.
Resizing
Resize images using the Image Size menu function.
Cropping
Crop images using the manual cropping tool. No precision cropping options .
Adding a border
No specific border tools or options. Add a border manually by making the canvas size bigger or adding a border on a layer above your image.
Adjusting contrast and color balance
Adjust contrast and color easily using Brightness & Contrast and Hue & Saturation menu functions respectively.
Selecting objects
Lasso and wand tools are available. The lasso tool only offers freehand and not polygonal selecting, so a steady hand is required.
Adding text with a drop shadow
Text is easily added as a new layer with the text tool. A simple click allows the text to be edited. A drop shadow can be added using the Layer Styles options on the text layer.
Saving images
Saving is straightforward using the Save menu function. Jpeg, PNG, Bitmap and a Pixlr format (PXD) allowing layers to be saved are available.
Final verdict
Usability is very good. Photoshop users will find it very familiar, while novices should find their way around the basics fairly quickly.
Score 9 /10
Splash Up
Splashup is a Flash based free online image editor. The interface looks and feels like a desktop image editor. It offers multiple image editing, pixel-level control and advanced functionality like layers and layer effects. A simpler ‘Light’ version is available for beginners or those in need of a quick fix.
Resizing
Resize images using the Image Size menu function.
Cropping
Just click and drag to crop. No precision cropping options available.
Adding a border
No specific border tools or options. Add a border manually by making the canvas size bigger or adding a border on a layer above your image.
Adjusting contrast and color balance
Adjust contrast and color easily using Contrast /Brightness and Hue/Saturation menu functions respectively.
Selecting objects
A freehand lasso tool is available. Since no polygonal lasso selecting is available, so a steady hand is required. No magic wand tool option available.
Adding text with a drop shadow
Text is easily added as a new layer with the text tool. A simple click allows the text to be edited. A drop shadow can be added using the Layer Styles options on the text layer.
Saving images
Saving is straightforward using the Save menu function. Jpeg, PNG and FXO is supported. There are also options to save straight to Facebook, Flickr, Picasa, etc.
Final verdict
Usability is good. Photoshop users will find the interface familiar enough although some differences could frustrate those seeking familiar functions. This shouldn’t bother novices, who should find their way around the basics easily enough.
Score 8 /10
Picnik
Picnik is a Flash based free online image editor that offers a more fun alternative to the “desktop” style editors. It offers basic as well as more advanced functionality along with clipart, stickers and effects. A more advanced ‘premium’ version is available for those willing to pay a small fee. The default editor for many image and social sharing sites.
Resizing
Resize images using the Resize menu function.
Cropping
Crop images using the manual cropping tool. No precision cropping options available.
Adding a border
No specific border tools or options.
Adjusting contrast and color balance
Adjust contrast and color easily using Exposure and Colors menu functions respectively.
Selecting objects
No selection tools available.
Adding text with a drop shadow
Text is added using the text menu function under the Create tab. No specific drop shadow tools are available.
Saving images
Saving is straightforward using the Save & Share tab function. Jpeg, PNG, Bitmap, Gif, PDF and TIFF formats are available. There are also options to save straight to Facebook, Flickr, Picasa, etc.
Final verdict
Usability is good. Picnik is a simple, fun way to edit images as long as you don’t require precision work or advanced text functionality. Features added goodies like clipart as well.
Score 8/10
Sumopaint
Sumo Paint is a Flash based free online image editor with an interface looks and feels like a desktop image editor. It offers loads of features incl. advanced functionality like layers and layer effects. The app proves to be popular with creatives – just check out the images posted on its home page.
Resizing
Resize images using the Image Size menu function.
Cropping
Crop images using the manual cropping tool. No precision cropping options available.
Adding a border
A stroke option under the Layer Effects will add a border. Borders can be added manually in a number of ways.
Adjusting contrast and color balance
Adjust contrast and color easily using Brightness & Contrast and Hue & Saturation menu functions respectively.
Selecting objects
Lasso and wand tools are available. The lasso tool offers both a freehand and a polygonal option for precise selections.
Adding text with a drop shadow
Text is easily added as a new layer with the text tool. Once text is placed it becomes a layer image which cannot be edited as text again. A drop shadow can be added using the Layer Effects options.
Saving images
Saving is straightforward using the Save menu function. JPEG, PNG and a SUMO format allowing layers to be saved are available.
Final verdict
Usability is very good. Photoshop users will find it very familiar even down to the shortcuts, while novices should find their way around the basics fairly quickly.
Score 9 /10
Photoflexer
Photoflexer is another Flash based free online image editor that offers an alternative to the “desktop style” editors. It offers basic as well as advanced functionality along with clipart, stickers and effects. It even has a “geek” tab where some fancy, experimental effects can be found.
Resizing
Resize images using the Resize menu function.
Cropping
Crop images using the manual cropping tool. No precision cropping options available.
Adding a border
Select from a number of preset borders.
Adjusting contrast and color balance
Adjust contrast and color easily using Adjust and Contrast menu functions respectively.
Selecting objects
A Smart Cutout tool and Smart Scissors tool is perfect for precision selections.
Adding text with a drop shadow
Add text using the Text menu function under the Decorate tab. No specific drop shadow tools are available.
Saving images
Saving is straightforward using the Save dialogue box. JPG and PNG formats are available. There are also options to save straight to Facebook, Flickr, Picasa, etc. or share your photo directly through email.
Final verdict
Usability is good. Photoflexer is a simple, fun image editor similar to Picnik but with a few more gizmos on offer. A good alternative to the Photoshop style editors .
Score 8 /10
Photoshop Online Editor
Adobe offers an online editing tool in the form of Photoshop.com. An online “image library” style application that offers image editing as just one of its options. Registration is required, and as such your last edits will be remembered when you log in.
Resizing
Resize images using the Resize menu function.
Cropping
Crop images using the Crop & Rotate tool.
Adding a border
Select from a number of preset decorative borders. No simple line options available.
Adjusting contrast and color balance
Menu options like Exposure, Saturation, White Balance, Highlight and Hue generate a number of thumbnails with varying intensities and exposures. All you have to do is pick one.
Selecting objects
No selection tools available.
Adding text with a drop shadow
Add text using the Text menu function under the Decorate tab. Click the Drop Shadow radio button for a simple dropshadow. Remember to always click “Finish” when done.
Saving images
Saving is straightforward using the Save dialogue box. JPG format is available. Or choose to directly login to Facebook, Flickr, Picasa, etc and publish.
Final verdict
Usability is good. The functionality on offered is basic though, so will prove frustrating if you are looking for something more advanced. It functions more like an online image library with some editing options on offer. A “decorate” tab offers some nice effects though.
Score 7 /10