Paint.net with Nik collection?

[pnodrog]

I was looking for a free windows photo editor (not GIMP) and came across Paint.net. Is anyone using it or have tried it and if so what did you think of it?

It looks reasonably good and with the addition of the Nik collection (paint.net + Nik collection) may make a fairly comprehensive free PP package.

My interest is that I am helping a group of senior citizens that have formed a small photography group in order to learn more about how to use their cameras etc.

[NorthernFocus]

...My interest is that I am helping a group of senior citizens that have formed a small photography group in order to learn more about how to use their cameras etc.

Can't help with the Paint.net. Never heard of it. Can't beat the price of Nik. One advantage it has is that it is user friendly for those who haven't yet been brainwashed by Adobe.

What constitutes a senior citizen south of the equator? Retirement ? Or is there an age limit?

[Mike Buckley]

I don't have a lot of experience using the Google/Nik Collection, but from what I've heard about it and gleaned from glancing at it on my own, I would think the group you're helping would perhaps benefit more from using any free software that will host the Google/Nik software purely as a host. In other words, once the free software hosts it, I imagine the group would simply use only the Google/Nik Collection to do the post-processing. Once they have gotten used to doing that, perhaps the more advanced people who want to spend more time at it might consider also using the host to do the actual post-processing.

[tao2]

I was looking for a free windows photo editor (not GIMP) and came across Paint.net. Is anyone using it or have tried it and if so what did you think of it?

It looks reasonably good and with the addition of the Nik collection (paint.net + Nik collection) may make a fairly comprehensive free PP package.

My interest is that I am helping a group of senior citizens that have formed a small photography group in order to learn more about how to use their cameras etc.

Hi Paul,

Ah use Paint.net a lot. Not as much as ah used tae. Been using the free Zoner Studio 17 more, in order tae learn it properly, mebbe use it tae replace Picasa since Webalbums was ditched by Google and Picasa will no longer be updated (though many users have asked Google tae make it open source and turn it over tae current users). Paint has a really easy resizer and the adjustments and artistic effects are very subtle, not overblown technicolour like some programs. Ah think Paint has many more powerful apps/add ons than Zoner and the forum is about the most helpful and instructive ah've come across.

Ah'll probably go back tae Paint once ah sort the albums and cataloguing in Zoner, it is that good, especially for free. Just done an update as we speak. Ah recommend it .

PS ah found it more intuitive than either Elements or Photoshop.

[pnodrog]

Can't help with the Paint.net. Never heard of it. Can't beat the price of Nik. One advantage it has is that it is user friendly for those who haven't yet been brainwashed by Adobe.

What constitutes a senior citizen south of the equator? Retirement ? Or is there an age limit?

I have been brainwashed by Adobe and have just had a 15 minute play with Nik so I am a bit confused at this point but am encouraged enough to take a closer look.

At 65 you can get a Gold card that gets you on a lot of public transport for free.

[Shadowman]

Not familiar with Paint but found this one, has a few different types for different skill levels.

https://pixlr.com/

[pnodrog]

I don't have a lot of experience using the Google/Nik Collection, but from what I've heard about it and gleaned from glancing at it on my own, I would think the group you're helping would perhaps benefit more from using any free software that will host the Google/Nik software purely as a host. In other words, once the free software hosts it, I imagine the group would simply use only the Google/Nik Collection to do the post-processing. Once they have gotten used to doing that, perhaps the more advanced people who want to spend more time at it might consider also using the host to do the actual post-processing.

Most will be very cost conscious and prefer to work off line. The skill level of the group ranges from how do I get the photos onto the computer to optimizing the colour management they are using. However most just want a free reasonably featured PP solution.

[pnodrog]

Hi Paul,

Ah use Paint.net a lot. Not as much as ah used tae. Been using the free Zoner Studio 17 more, in order tae learn it properly, mebbe use it tae replace Picasa since Webalbums was ditched by Google and Picasa will no longer be updated (though many users have asked Google tae make it open source and turn it over tae current users). Paint has a really easy resizer and the adjustments and artistic effects are very subtle, not overblown technicolour like some programs. Ah think Paint has many more powerful apps/add ons than Zoner and the forum is about the most helpful and instructive ah've come across.

Ah'll probably go back tae Paint once ah sort the albums and cataloguing in Zoner, it is that good, especially for free. Just done an update as we speak. Ah recommend it .

PS ah found it more intuitive than either Elements or Photoshop.

Thanks for your comments. I have just loaded Paint.net onto my wife's laptop and it is about the level most of them need. Layer masks and adjustment layers seem to be missing but it certainly covers the basics.

[pnodrog]

Not familiar with Paint but found this one, has a few different types for different skill levels.

https://pixlr.com/

Thanks John. Had a quick look at the web site and will investigate a bit more.

[Cogito]

Paul, as alternatives - both free and both fairly intuitive may I suggest either RawTherapee or Lightzone ? Neither handle the Nik collection but if needs must, why not install the Nik Collection as stand-alone processors?

[pnodrog]

Paul, as alternatives - both free and both fairly intuitive may I suggest either RawTherapee or Lightzone ? Neither handle the Nik collection but if needs must, why not install the Nik Collection as stand-alone processors?

What I am trying to achieve is to find a basic editor that is easy to use but offers filters/plugins that offer more advanced features for those people that have the ability to use them. From what I understand the Nik Collection is not user friendly as a stand alone editor. Most of the users take photographs saved as Jpeg so RawTherapee is probably not appropriate but I will take a look at Lightzone.

Personally I am very familiar with Lightroom and Photoshop and can achieve most of what I want to do without plugins. However I have recently downloaded the Nik collection to evaluate it and see if it offers any features I would take advantage of.