Art software can be very expensive. Fortunately, it is possible to find comparable freeware that can be used to teach your students about painting, drawing, graphics, and 3D modeling. Here are 10 open source art software programs and tools you can download or use for free online.
Artweaver - Artweaver is a painting program that can be used by beginners or more advanced artists. The free version of Artweaver offers image editing tools, arrangeable palettes, brushes and individual configuration possibilities, and saving capabilities.
Tux Paint - Created for children ages 3 to 12, Tux Paint is a free drawing program that works across multiple platforms. It has an easy-to-use interface with fun sound effects and cartoons that encourage children who are just learning to work in the program.
Paint.NET - Paint.NET is award-winning image editing software that has been compared to Adobe Photoshop and similar programs. It is incredibly easy to use and free to download.
Inkscape - This free vector graphics editor can do many of the same things as pricey programs like Illustrator and CorelDraw. Inkscape is such a good program that is currently being used by schools to teach the students about graphics software and programming.
Kaleidoscope Painter - Kaleidoscope Painter is a free Java applet that allows users to paint on an online canvas--no download required. Finished paintings can be cropped, printed, or saved as a bitmap file.
Ninja Paint - Ninja Paint is a popular web-based tool that can be used to create digital art. Users can create a free account to save their images or play around with the tool just for fun.
IrfanView - IrfanView was originally created to be a graphic viewer, but has evolved into an image editor with paint options. IrfanView can be downloaded for free by home users, schools, universities, libraries, and charity organizations.
DrawPlus - This free drawing and graphics software from Serif can easily create vector drawings, graphics, and animations. DrawPlus features include drawing and sketching tools, animation tools, text tools, an export optimizer, an on-screen studio palette, and a border library.
Google SketchUp - This free Google software can be used to create 3D models of almost anything. Models can be created from scratch or from downloads of other images and may be turned into animations that can be exported and shared online.
Imagekind - Imagekind is a CafePress company that allows members to create prints, posters, greeting cards, and other products online using uploaded images. Products can then be showcased and sold online.
Guest post from education writer Karen Schweitzer. Karen is the About.com Guide to Business School. She also writes about online degrees for OnlineDegreePrograms.org.
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