Apple's OS X 10.10 Yosemite software introduced so many new features that users will still be trying to learn them several months after installing the update. But OS X also has some old features. You just need to click on Paint and it launches as if it’s native Apple software. You get the updated tools and interface as well as more versatility when it comes to design tools. However, Parallels doesn’t come cheap, and if you only want to use Paint, it might be better to go with the online option.
Apple’s OS X 10.10 Yosemite software introduced so many new features that users will still be trying to learn them several months after installing the update. But OS X also has some old features that you might not know about. In fact, there’s a hidden paint program on your Mac computer that has been sitting right under your nose this whole time, and a recent pose will show you how easy it is to find.
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As Dave Winer recently pointed out on Scripting News (via The Loop), Apple’s Preview app has somewhat hidden paint function that most users have no idea is there.
Winer’s instructions for accessing the paint functions in Apple’s Preview app include a few extra steps, wo we’ll amend them here.
All you have to do is open any image file on your computer in Preview (if Preview isn’t your default app for image files, simply right-click on a file, hover over “Open With,” and then select “Preview.app”).
Then in the top menu in Preview, you’ll see a toolbox icon. Just click it and you’re ready to go.
The paint functions in Preview aren’t exactly on par with something like Photoshop, but there are plenty of simple tools for quick edits and markups. There is even a nifty signature function that lets you digitally sign documents using your laptop’s trackpad or a Magic Trackpad.
Formerly known as “Paintbrush for Windows”, Paint is a simple graphics painting program pre-installed on all versions of Microsoft Windows. This nifty tool from Windows gained much popularity due to its ease of usage and simple graphics editing tools. However, the major downside of Paint is that it is only available to all Microsoft Windows users. This means that Apple fan boys wanting the same application should look for program like Paint for Mac.
On its early years, Apple has had the same application called MacPaint. It was released together with the first Macintosh PC on January 1984. It was then sold separately but due to decline sales, the distributor stopped selling the product. Since then, MacPaint never made a comeback to modern PCs. If you are a mac user currently in search for a simple editing tool just like Microsoft’s Paint, check out these great alternatives below.
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#1. Online Image Editor
The Online Image Editor is a free, no-installation needed application that features a very similar interface as with Microsoft’s Paint. This program can crop images, add texts, insert symbols, pick colors, remove red eye, select background colors, add gradient effects and all other things you could usually do with Paint. Additionally, you can add layers as well as amazing effects to further beautify your picture.
Top versatility makes the Online Image Editor one of the best Paint equivalent for Mac. This program comes totally free of charge and it works with all browsers as well as operating systems. Whether you use Firefox, Chrome, Safari, Opera and the likes, rest assured that the Online Image Editor will work the same way.
#2. Paintbrush
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One particular application that is very similar to Microsoft’s Paint is Paintbrush. This software works just like Paint, the only difference is that it is made exclusively for Mac users. It features several editing tools like airbrush, rounded rectangle, eyedropper, zoom, image resizing, cropping, transparent selection and all others. If you need quick photo edits on your Mac, Paintbrush works like a charm.
This Paint alternative on Mac comes free and it has two variants available depending on your Mac OS version. First is the Paintbrush 2.1.1 for Mac OS X 10.5 or higher, then the Paintbrush 1.2 for Mac OS X 10.4 or higher.
#3. Scribbles
Scribbles is yet another Microsoft Paint for Mac. It is said to be designed especially for kids but due to its utmost usefulness when it comes editing images, it has made it into the hearts of adults as well. This application is equipped with different graphic tools such as paintbrush, spray can, calligraphy brushes, eraser, various effects, zoom functions, direct publishing of works, etc.
Although, bear in mind that Scribbles doesn’t come free. It has a price of tag $19.95 but free to try. Additionally, it runs on Mac OS X 10.4 and 10.5. Sadly, support for Scribbles has already been discontinued by the developer.
#4. Pixelmator
For a more advanced graphic editing tool, Pixelmator is a must to try. This Paint alternative for Mac is actually leaning towards the Adobe Photoshop side in terms of features and functionalities. With it, you can quickly remove unwanted objects using the repair tool, distort images with move tool, paint realistically, add texts, create color adjustments, and all others.
Recommended for professional image editors, Pixelmator is priced at $29.99 which is quite steep compare to other programs like Paint for Mac. The most recent version of this software requires Mac OS X 10.9.1 or later as well as 64 bit processor.
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#5. Seashore
Created by Mark Pazolli, Seashore is a simple Paint equivalent for Mac. It is an easy-to-use image editing tool equipped with powerful editing features. It has all the basic functionalities of Paint with some tools similar to Adobe Photoshop. You can use it to insert texts, change color backgrounds, create layers, zoom images, crop photos, add effects, and many more.
Seashore is free to use and it has several versions openly available for downloads. The most stable version is the 0.1.9 that works with Mac OS X 10.3 to 10.5 while the most updated one is the Seashore 0.5.1 with compatibility to Mac OS X 10.4.11 or later.
There are many programs that functions just like Microsoft Paint for Mac, some of them are free while others are paid. If you only need basic image editing, it is advised to use free online applications that need not to be installed. They have a very similar functionality as with paint and it will not slow down or bulk up your system. Premium software are good as they are packed with extra features but why splurge on them when you can have free applications that works just like Microsoft Paint.
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