Photopea Online Photo Editor lets you edit photos, apply effects, filters, add text, crop or resize pictures.
Photopea is an advanced image editor, which can work with both raster and vector graphics. You can use it for simple tasks, such as resizing images, as well as complex tasks, such as designing webpages, creating illustrations, processing photographs and more.
Overview
Photopea is a robust web-based photo editing application that offers many advanced features typically found in more expensive software. Although it is not developed by a large corporation, Photopea provides users with support for layers, smart objects, artboards, scripts, and limited artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities, which can be unlocked with a Premium subscription. This tool handles both raster and vector graphics, making it versatile for various creative tasks. While Adobe Photoshop remains the preferred choice for professional photo editing, Photopea serves as a solid alternative, especially for users on a budget.
Pricing
Photopea’s basic version is free, although it includes ads and offers limited online storage of 500MB. For $5 per month, users can upgrade to the Premium account, which removes ads, increases storage to 5GB, and introduces AI-powered features. Comparatively, Adobe Photoshop offers a Photography plan for $9.99 per month, which includes 20GB of cloud storage. Other alternatives, such as Photoshop Elements and CyberLink PhotoDirector, range from one-time purchases to yearly subscriptions, but Photopea stands out as an affordable and capable option for those who don’t need extensive cloud features or a higher-end subscription.
Getting Started
As a web application, Photopea is accessible directly from a browser, without the need for installation. Users can connect their local storage or link cloud storage services like Dropbox, OneDrive, and Google Drive. For a more app-like experience, Photopea can be installed as a Progressive Web App (PWA), which eliminates browser borders and mimics a traditional desktop application.
Upon launching Photopea, users can begin editing by either opening an existing image or starting a project from scratch. Photopea’s interface closely mirrors Photoshop’s, particularly with its drag-and-drop functionality and the ability to create new layers by overlaying images. Although it does not offer image import options like Adobe Lightroom, it is purely focused on editing, which simplifies its operation.
File Compatibility
When an image is opened in Photopea, it is automatically converted to PSD format (the native format for Photoshop), which supports layers and advanced editing features. However, Photopea does not preserve the original format of the image. If you need to maintain the file’s format for specific workflows, Photoshop is a better option. For those starting a new project, Photopea also provides several useful templates.
Raw Camera Files
Photopea is capable of opening most raw camera files, including formats from Canon and Nikon cameras. However, it lacks many advanced options found in Photoshop, such as noise reduction, lens corrections, and extensive color space adjustments. Photopea only supports 8-bit color depth, which may be limiting for high-end printing or specialized workflows, though it is generally sufficient for web-based projects. Higher color depth editing, including HDR support, remains the domain of advanced software like Photoshop or Lightroom.
User Interface
The interface in Photopea will feel familiar to users who have worked with Photoshop. It includes a similar toolbar, top-panel tool options, and right-side panels for managing layers, history, properties, and more. However, Photopea does not offer the same level of flexibility in customizing panel arrangements. Some panels may stack awkwardly, but they can be collapsed and toggled on or off for convenience.
One minor inconvenience is the absence of a 100% view button (commonly called “Actual Pixels” or “1:1”), although Photopea offers a similar “Pixel to Pixel” option in its menu. The software supports a variety of keyboard shortcuts, many of which are identical to those in Photoshop, making the transition between the two programs smoother.
Basic Editing Tools
Photopea provides users with an extensive range of basic editing tools, including brightness, contrast, levels, curves, hue, saturation, and more. These adjustments can be applied directly to an image or through layers. Standard selection tools such as the Rectangle, Lasso, and Magic Wand are also available, along with more advanced options like Quick Selection and Object Selection, both of which worked well in testing. Refining selections is possible but may show slight delays during adjustments.
Layers and Effects
For users familiar with Photoshop’s layering system, Photopea provides an almost identical experience. It supports transparency, blending modes, mask layers, and adjustment layers, among others. Users can apply various effects like bevel and emboss, gradient overlays, and drop shadows. While it may not offer the same breadth of options as Photoshop’s latest tools, it comes impressively close, considering it is a free tool.
Brushes and Text Tools
Though Photopea lacks some of Photoshop’s more sophisticated brush features, such as the History brush, it allows users to upload custom brushes in the ABR format. Brushes in Photopea include options for dynamics and randomization, such as tip and color dynamics. In addition to the standard brushes, it includes tools like Clone Stamp and Healing Brush, making it well-equipped for photo retouching.
Photopea’s text tools are particularly noteworthy for a free app. The Type and Vertical Type tools allow users to create text arcs, and a variety of fonts are available at no cost. Options for advanced text formatting, including kerning, tracking, and ligatures, are also provided.
Generative AI Features
With a Premium subscription, Photopea introduces generative AI tools for creating images based on text prompts. However, the quality of these AI-generated images is still developing and does not match the capabilities of more advanced AI platforms. Users can also use the Magic Replace tool, which allows them to swap out objects in an image by describing replacements in a text box. Results are functional but not always impressive.
Vector Editing
In addition to raster graphics, Photopea supports vector editing, even allowing users to open Adobe Illustrator files. Unlike Photoshop, which flattens Illustrator files into one layer, Photopea retains the vector paths, making it a practical option for basic vector work.
Exporting Files
Photopea offers an extensive range of export options, from PSD to PNG, JPG, SVG, and more. This flexibility in output formats ensures that users can save their work in the format best suited for their needs, whether it’s for web use, printing, or further editing in another program.
Limitations and Conclusion
Photopea is a capable, free alternative to Photoshop but does come with some limitations. Users should be cautious about navigating away from the page, as unsaved work could be lost. Some tasks, such as shadow adjustments, may be slower than expected. Additionally, it lacks some of Photoshop’s advanced tools like noise reduction and AI-powered features.
For users who require basic to intermediate editing features without investing in expensive software, Photopea is an excellent option. While Photoshop remains the go-to for advanced image manipulation, Photopea impresses with its versatility and ease of use.
Photopea is a powerful web-based image editor that offers a range of tools and features comparable to professional software like Adobe Photoshop. Unlike Photoshop, however, Photopea is entirely free to use, with a premium option that adds advanced artificial intelligence (AI) tools for a small monthly fee. This makes it an appealing option for individuals who need professional-grade photo editing but are working within a budget.
To get started, you don’t need to install any software. Simply visit the Photopea website, and you’re ready to go. For users who want to avoid working through a browser, you can download the Photopea app as a progressive web application (PWA). This enables it to behave more like a standalone app without the need for an installation process similar to traditional apps. Many people search for Photopea download options for Mac or PC, but since it’s web-based, there’s no traditional software download required, making it convenient for quick access on any device.
For users just starting out, a Photopea tutorial can help familiarize them with the editor’s wide range of capabilities. One common task users perform is removing the background in Photopea, which can be done using the Photopea background remover tool. Additionally, the bucket tool can be used to fill areas of an image, while the blend tool is perfect for creating smooth transitions between different parts of an image. The Photopea color replacement tool allows for changing specific areas of an image, and the Photopea content-aware fill feature is particularly useful for seamlessly removing unwanted objects.
When comparing Photopea vs Photoshop, the most noticeable difference is the price. Photoshop offers a wider range of advanced features, but Photopea comes remarkably close in many areas, making it a strong alternative. For instance, Photopea supports AI features such as generative fill, though these are more limited compared to Adobe’s capabilities. However, for users who want access to some AI-driven functionality, Photopea’s $5-per-month premium plan is an affordable option.
Photopea also excels in standard photo editing tasks. The Photopea resize layer function allows you to adjust the dimensions of individual layers without affecting the entire project, and the Photopea how to resize image feature gives users complete control over image dimensions. Adding elements like shadows or text is simple, with tools that allow you to add shadow in Photopea and add text in Photopea. Users can also enhance images by uploading their own brushes, while the Photopea blur tool is perfect for creating out-of-focus effects. Additionally, the Photopea black and white tool is handy for adjusting image tones.
For those interested in creative design, Photopea supports vector graphics and allows for the creation of custom banners. There are Photopea banner templates available for users looking for quick solutions, and the program supports tools for drawing, including the ability to draw straight lines in Photopea. This makes it a versatile tool for not only photo editing but also graphic design work. Users can easily add borders to images in Photopea or work with Arial font for text-heavy projects. The curve text feature adds a professional touch to designs requiring text manipulation.
Photopea isn’t just limited to static images. Photopea animation features allow users to create simple animations, and it even supports basic video editing, although this is not its primary focus. Users who need a more advanced set of animation tools may want to look for a Photopea alternative if animation is the priority.
In terms of user safety, the question “is Photopea safe?” is frequently asked. Since it is a web-based application, it operates locally on your device, without uploading your work to the cloud unless you choose to save files to cloud services like Google Drive or Dropbox. This ensures that your work remains private, and the app is generally considered secure.
One of the key advantages of Photopea is that it works across a wide range of file formats, including Photoshop PSD files. Users can easily add an image to a layer in Photopea or animate in Photopea while retaining the integrity of their original Photoshop projects. However, if you’re using advanced Photoshop-specific features, those might not translate perfectly when opening files in Photopea. It’s still an excellent tool for PSD editing at no cost. Additionally, you can add images in Photopea, adjust layers, and even import Photoshop brushes into the program, providing users with flexibility across platforms.
Photopea is also frequently used for graphic design projects that involve more specific customizations. For example, you can add a background in Photopea to give your designs more depth or utilize the Photopea API for integrating its features into other platforms. Photopea arial font support, along with an extensive selection of free fonts, ensures that designers have access to high-quality text options.
The Photopea desktop app and Photopea APK download options are available for users who prefer mobile use or want access to the editor on the go. Although it’s primarily web-based, these alternative options provide added flexibility.
Overall, Photopea stands as a solid, free alternative to Photoshop, especially for those who don’t need every advanced feature. It offers robust tools for most standard photo editing tasks, such as resizing, cropping, and color adjustments, and it includes unique features like generative AI, vector editing, and a comprehensive selection of file format support. Whether you’re working with text, vectors, or complex layered images, Photopea provides the tools needed to complete most photo editing tasks efficiently.
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