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Good day everybody,
I hope you are all having a great weekend. Welcome to CryptoGod-1's blog on all things crypto. Today we are going to look at a selection of the various artistic programs available for use in creating NFTs. Some are freeware programs, some are paid, and some are generators for putting your art together to create multiple versions of your artwork. It will not be an unlimited list as I am certain there are other resources and programs available, merely a selection of reputable options for any existing or aspiring artists, or even game designers.
Adobe Photoshop
The classic tried and tested standard for editing images on all levels. While it is not a free program, for those who have access to Photoshop, it can be a real game-changer. Released more than 30 years ago, Photoshop is the number one choice for layered image editing, typography, 3D modeling, drawing, and a multitude of effects. The interface allows users to choose from several workspace layouts, including but not limited to 3D, Graphic and Web, Motion, Painting, and Photography, and you also have the option to create your own custom layout. Some of the more advanced features can be daunting at first, but Photoshop allows users to utilize object selection tools, layer masking, an array of filters, tools such as colorize, sky replacement, content-aware crop, super-resolution, along with a wide selection of libraries, it can be something well worth investing the time and money into. Artists enjoy features such as smart objects, brushes, pencils, and 3D editing. Currently, Adobe only rents Photoshop on a subscription basis instead of a standalone one-time purchase, which can be a nuisance in the recurring cost.
Free trials are available, but a monthly subscription fee is generally required to continue using Photoshop, which is available here: https://www.adobe.com/
Adobe Illustrator
The classic program from Adobe, Illustrator is one of the best in the industry for vector drawing applications along with creating artwork illustrations and diagrammatic sketches. Some of the improvements over the past few years have seen improved path simplification, Properties panel, the Puppet Warp tool, and custom sizing for anchor points. It also saw updates that included speed enhancements, in-app learning and support, cut-and-copy Artboards, Cloud Document access, smart glyph snapping, and canvas rotation. Within the program, there is an in-app Discover panel which makes learning the software easier thanks to the helpful resources and information. Knowing the difference between vector and raster graphics is imperative when using Illustrator, with vector graphics are defined by points, lines, and Boolean curves. Raster graphics on the other hand are defined by pixels. Artwork created in Photoshop for example is raster graphics. The user interface is similar within Illustrator as in Indesign and Photoshop, with customization for the user to have their favorite preferences, defaults, menu organization, and positions as default on the screen. The appearance panel is the backbone of the workspace, combined with the toolset panel stocked with everything a user could desire. Illustrator's generous expansion capability allows any user to turn the application into their own personalized digital wonderland. Through steady use and inquisitive inspection, investing time into learning the multitude of tools, menus, palettes, pull-down options, and features makes using the application second nature. Similar to Photoshop, Adobe only rents the software on a subscription basis instead of a standalone one-time purchase.
Free trials are available, but a monthly subscription fee is generally required to continue using Illustrator, which is available here: https://www.adobe.com/
Inkscape
One of my favorite programs to use, Inkscape is a free and open-source vector image editing software. It is used by game designers, artists, illustrators, and also by web designers. It can be utilized for a variety of things, including making 2D images for game assets such as characters or items, and can even be used for making simple animations. Its interface and layout is quite simple to use and understand, while also coming with a comprehensive set of features. With the multiple set of tools and features within the program, each tool is aligned with its own setting window to further enhance its operations. The software is compatible with a selection of files, including SVG, EPS, PostScript, JPG, PNG, BMP, TIP, etc. The filters, effects, and node editing within the software is very user-friendly to use and makes it very simple for users to manipulate images, shapes, make fill gradients, apply filters, modify layers, distort images, etc. Inkscape also has a number of plugins you can download to enhance the original tools included within the software. Inkscape is seen as a very adept alternative to Adobe Illustrator and the files created on Inkscape can also be imported directly into Adobe Illustrator.
Inkscape is free and available to download here: https://inkscape.org/
MediBang Paint
Something I have recently started to use and find very effective when creating art on all levels. Whether its sitting at the desk or on the go, Medibang Paint is available for free on laptop, desktop, tablet, and mobile applications. It comes without the usual advertisements which plague most free software, although it is beneficial to sign up for a MediBang account to achieve the full array of tools available. The interface is quite clear to understand, and there are built in tutorials within the app and on the website to take artists through all the required steps from setting up a canvas to a full piece of art. Depending on which tools are selected, more options are available to fine tune the effects. Layers are an option, along with brushes and colour blending options. Cloud saving options are available if the user signs up to an account, and the built in stabilizer allows for any lag or shaky hands to no longer be an issue.
MediBang is free and available to download here: https://medibangpaint.com/en/
Autodesk Sketchbook
A program from Autodesk, the creators of the 2D and 3D design software CAD, Sketchbook is a paid service that allows users to sketch with an intuitive and streamlined UI that doesn’t get in the way of your drawing process. The program provides all the essential features like layers and blend modes that a professional artist expects, and is available on all devices. This ensures you can make a quick concept sketch in a super-easy way due to the interface being very minimalistic in its design. It comes built-in with traditional rulers, curved rulers, ellipse, and French curve tools to help guide you, or you can also use the Predictive Stroke tool to draw perfectly smooth strokes. The layers functionality means you can colour fill and make use of a variety of techniques to bring your work to life, including dynamic linear and radial gradients. It comes with everything from digital pencils and markers to over 190 types of customizable brushes which can be used for both textures and shapes. A rough sketch in Sketchbook can be exported into Photoshop to apply some finishing touches. You can also export into a variety of other formats- JPG, PNG, BMP, TIFF, etc. A feature called Scan Sketch allows you to “scan” a physical drawing with the tablet/ phone camera. This drawing is then converted into a digital sketch on your workspace. A cost of around 20$ is the fee for getting Sketchbook and can be a very good long-term investment.
Sketchbook is available to download here: https://www.sketchbook.com/
GIMP is considered a free open-source alternative to Photoshop. It stands for GNU Image Manipulation Program and has many similar and effective features to that of Photoshop and Illustrator. It is a multipurpose tool and can be used as a multi-purpose tool for everything from game art to photo retouching. Some of the similar features to Photoshop include customizable brushes that can be useful when working with pixel art in games. It also has many advanced filters and tools, allowing for users to manage their layers, paths, etc. A nice benefit of GIMP is that it allows users to create textures, cover art, concept sketches, backgrounds, animated 2D images, etc. The colour adjustment levels in GIMP are also at quite an advanced level, while also offering Bezier curves, layer masks, animation packages, etc. There are also an array of plugins that can be downloaded for GIMP which allows advanced users to really enhance their work.
GIMP is free and available to download here: https://www.gimp.org/
Gravit Designer
Gravit is a free vector graphics editing software, with a paid Pro version also available. Using it feels like using a professional piece of software, and it is regularly updated and enhanced with features and the removal of old bugs. It is multi platform meaning users can access it from Mac, Windows, or Linux. All that is required is a decent internet connection as the application is fully online, although a local version is available for download also. Gravit is very useful if you are new to art design, as the user interface is very clean and designed with a conscientious approach in mind. All major tools have tooltips to explain their function, and almost all tools work in a no destructive manner so any work is always retraceable. A number of file types are supported, including SVG, EPS, JPEG, PNG, and more. Gravit also allows users to zoom in to an amazing 25,600% so users can see every detail within their artwork. Smart shapes, live boolean operations, object styling, coversion of shapes and editable vector paths are all included. Design tools for creating perfect curves, and knife tools for curved and straight cuts are also a part of the wide variety of vector manipulations included in the software.
A free version is available for Gravit Designer, and also a 90 day free trial is available and then a yearly subscription fee is required to continue using Gravit Pro, which are both available here: https://www.designer.io/en/
Krita is free software that allows users to create frame-by-frame animations, vector art, and digital painting. You can also create game assets and character models which can be exported into other programs for editing and animating. The canvas comes with a setup that includes grids and guidelines which makes for easy use of scaling, mirroring, and rotating. A selection of brushes allows for pattern painting and symmetrical painting mode. The built-in stabilizer makes drawing even with a shaky hand much smoother. The software also includes repetition mode to instantly and swiftly replicate images within the grid. The selection of brushes along with the ability to modify all aspects of the brush, opacity, colour, flow, and even the painting mode makes editing simple, and the advanced features of the layer management mean it can be very easy to import, remove, and modify all aspects of your canvas. Probably one of the most beautiful additions to this software is that anyone can write their own addon with Python to enhance the program, assuming they understand how to code with Python or Pycharm.
Krita is free and available to download here: https://krita.org/en/
This is a web-based cross-platform vector imaging editor. It's a popular application with students and beginners because it has a simplistic user interface and a clutter-free design. While it is not the most comprehensive application, and certainly not a serious option for professional artists or designers, it's a useful application as all your files are synced across the cloud. It also has a desktop application free to download if you prefer not to work online. It can be used for concept artwork and creating sprites. It lacks the comprehensive facilities which users would get in the likes of Gravit or Krita but it is certainly a good option for people looking to delve into the graphic art world or create some fun works to potentially use as NFT's.
Vectr is free and available to use online here: https://vectr.com/
Blender is an open-source 3D creation suite that allows users to create character models, environments, props, and much more. Blender is constantly being updated, adding new advanced features, and improving issues with old bugs and performance glitches being removed. It is usable on Mac, Windows, and Linux, and creations can be exported to other software including game engine software for further work. Within this software, the user can create a model of an individual character or a 3D environment, while also adding the textures, lighting, painting, and UV mapping. It can also be used for creating animations. Itd a very good piece of software for creating 3D modeling and is on the same level as some paid-for software in terms of its functionality. It takes some time to learn the functions and how to get the most out of the program, but well worth it for creating 3D artwork or for game design.
Blender is free and available to download here: https://www.blender.org/
This is certainly one of the more advanced pixel editor software available, aimed mainly towards experienced artists who have experience working with pixel art. It is a web-based app but offers a clean user interface, layering features, and functionality that extends beyond 16-bit game art. Images can be created from scratch within the app or can start from an image on your desktop. Tools included are for cropping, zooming, resizing, and cutting tools such as shape, lasso, drag, and magic. These advanced features allow for collage-like images to be made with ease, and works similar to Photoshop as an image editor. An extensive selection of filters that give options to change things such as vibrance, highlight, shadows, contrast, and brightness work in tandem with the selection of brushes available within the app.
Pixlr is free and available to use online here: https://pixlr.com/
PiskelApp
This is a free online pixel art / animated sprite creation tool that is fully open source. It is available online and there is no need to make an account as you can just sign in with your existing google account, although there is also an offline application that can be downloaded onto your desktop/laptop which runs on Windows, Mac, or Linux. Finished images can be exported in PNG, GIF, ZIP, etc, for use in other programs. The user interface is minimalistic and you begin with a blank canvas with several tools such as pen, color picker, shapes, stroke, move, eraser, dithering, etc. Transform options such as Flip, Rotate, Clone, Align, and changing the pen size are all options included. New frames allow for animated sprites, with frames ranging from the default of 12FPS up to the max of 24FPS. A private gallery means online storage of your work without sharing it in the public domain.
PiskelApp is free and available to use online here: https://www.piskelapp.com/
There is also a great selection of tutorial videos available on YouTube for anybody who is unfamiliar but wants to learn one of these programs. While some can be daunting to begin with, but once you get the basics down it can be an amazing selection of tools to help improve and enhance your artwork, whether that be for NFTs, graphic design, or just as a pastime in general.
I have also recently done a post on how to "shill" your NFTs to help get them out there and into the public eye, if you would like to check that out it is available to read at this link: How to "Shill" Your NFTs
I hope you enjoyed the read and learned something new about the available software. Make a great weekend.
CryptoGod-1.
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