# Apple - Mac OS X need. Free program for png, gif, jpg, etc. editing? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [January 15, 2009, 9:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/apple-mac-os-x-need-free-program-for-png-gif-jpg-etc-editing/481407 "2009-01-15T09:29:27Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![crypto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b3f665/32.png) [@crypto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crypto)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2009, 9:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/apple-mac-os-x-need-free-program-for-png-gif-jpg-etc-editing/481407/1 "2009-01-15T09:29:27Z")
Is there a free file editor that I can download to permit editing of png, gif, jpg etc. files? I’m not very familiar with the Mac, so if there is something that is part of Apple’s software that does this and may already be sitting on my computer, I’d like to know that too. The only things I’ve been able to find are paint and draw, part of the AppleWorks package, and these two apps don’t seem to allow me to load these formats. I find it hard to believe that there isn’t some basic editor out there, or provided by Apple. Can anyone point me in the right direction? If there is a program that would allow me to load just an existing png file, then edit and save it, that would be a great start. The more formats the better, but I’ll take what I can get. Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![seodoa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/4af34b/32.png) [@seodoa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/seodoa)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2009, 10:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/apple-mac-os-x-need-free-program-for-png-gif-jpg-etc-editing/481407/2 "2009-01-15T10:10:30Z")
I use [GIMP](http://www.gimp.org) for everything image-related. Free (as in beer), free (as in speech), and cross-platform. It also supports a really huge number of formats. ETA: Link for downloading it is located [here](http://gimp.lisanet.de/Website/Overview.html). ---
**Author:** ![crypto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b3f665/32.png) [@crypto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crypto)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2009, 10:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/apple-mac-os-x-need-free-program-for-png-gif-jpg-etc-editing/481407/3 "2009-01-15T10:16:54Z")
> [@seodoa](#): > > I use [GIMP](http://www.gimp.org) for everything image-related. Free (as in beer), free (as in speech), and cross-platform. Is there a version that works with OS X 10.4.11? I looked at the info on that page and it says that I need to have OS X 11. Is there a different version? This could be the answer for me if I can download/run it on my OS. ETA: I see you added another link. I’ll give that a go. ---
**Author:** ![seodoa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/4af34b/32.png) [@seodoa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/seodoa)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2009, 10:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/apple-mac-os-x-need-free-program-for-png-gif-jpg-etc-editing/481407/4 "2009-01-15T10:27:38Z")
> [@Stink Fish Pot](#): > > I looked at the info on that page and it says that I need to have OS X 11. Is there a different version? This could be the answer for me if I can download/run it on my OS. Oh, forgot to mention. :smack: It is not OS X 11 (there is no OS X 11) It is X11, which is a completely different software package that GIMP for MacOS X needs to run. I don’t remember if Apple is including X11 in Mac OS or not. You may need to install it from [here](http://xquartz.macosforge.org/trac/wiki/X112.3.2.1). Follow the instructions under “Installation.” Basically, GIMP is a Linux-based program. But, also basically, X11 for Mac OS X (confusing, eh?) allows Linux-based programs to run in Mac OS X. Oops, it seems that version is only for Mac OS X 10.5.x… ☹ ---
**Author:** ![crypto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b3f665/32.png) [@crypto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crypto)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2009, 10:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/apple-mac-os-x-need-free-program-for-png-gif-jpg-etc-editing/481407/5 "2009-01-15T10:31:20Z")
Well, I just downloaded it and it didn’t work. So, I’m going to your new link and I’ll post my results. This looks like what I need. I hope I can get it to run! ---
**Author:** ![Anaglyph](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ed8c4c/32.png) [@Anaglyph](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaglyph)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2009, 10:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/apple-mac-os-x-need-free-program-for-png-gif-jpg-etc-editing/481407/6 "2009-01-15T10:34:38Z")
> [@Stink Fish Pot](#): > > Is there a version that works with OS X 10.4.11? > > I looked at the info on that page and it says that I need to have OS X 11. Is there a different version? This could be the answer for me if I can download/run it on my OS. > > ETA: I see you added another link. I’ll give that a go. That is a misunderstanding: X11 is the X-Windows environment of OS X, not a version of OSX. It means that Gimp is not using the graphical user interface of OSX, but rather it’s Unix X-Windows. (I think the X-Windows environment is an optional install of OS X, you might have to explicitly install it from your OSX system DVD) ---
**Author:** ![Anaglyph](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ed8c4c/32.png) [@Anaglyph](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaglyph)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2009, 10:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/apple-mac-os-x-need-free-program-for-png-gif-jpg-etc-editing/481407/7 "2009-01-15T10:37:56Z")
Also, you might want to go for [gimp.app](http://gimp-app.sourceforge.net/), the self-contained application bundle of the GNU Image Manipulation Program for OS X if you are not familiar with the X-Windows environment. ---
**Author:** ![seodoa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/4af34b/32.png) [@seodoa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/seodoa)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2009, 10:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/apple-mac-os-x-need-free-program-for-png-gif-jpg-etc-editing/481407/8 "2009-01-15T10:41:38Z")
> [@Anaglyph](#): > > (I think the X-Windows environment is an optional install of OS X, you might have to explicitly install it from your OSX system DVD) Yeah, you need X11 installed before GIMP will work. The link I gave above only works for MacOS X 10.5 or above, so it won’t work for you. You can either load your OSX System DVD and install X11 from that, or you can download [http://idt.lcc.gatech.edu/~cmartin9/files/X11Tiger.zip](http://idt.lcc.gatech.edu/~cmartin9/files/X11Tiger.zip) , unzip it, and install the two .pkg files included. Install the “SDK” one first, then the “User” one. More info [here](http://cjmart.in/2006/12/01/install-x11-on-tiger-without-the-tiger-install-dvd/). ETA: I’m not the OP by any means, but I’m personally kind of wary of the list of known bugs associated with the .app version. I didn’t even know a .app version existed until now. ---
**Author:** ![crypto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b3f665/32.png) [@crypto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crypto)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2009, 10:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/apple-mac-os-x-need-free-program-for-png-gif-jpg-etc-editing/481407/9 "2009-01-15T10:42:38Z")
> [@Anaglyph](#): > > Also, you might want to go for [gimp.app](http://gimp-app.sourceforge.net/), the self-contained application bundle of the GNU Image Manipulation Program for OS X if you are not familiar with the X-Windows environment. I’m a bit confused now. I am familiar with the X-Windows environment, but I’m not familiar with the Mac. Curse you Microsoft! I’ve been on a PC forever. Here’s where I am. I went to to Seodoa’s second link, and found out exactly what he just posted. I need OS X 10.5 Any other suggestions? ---
**Author:** ![seodoa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/4af34b/32.png) [@seodoa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/seodoa)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2009, 10:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/apple-mac-os-x-need-free-program-for-png-gif-jpg-etc-editing/481407/10 "2009-01-15T10:57:09Z")
Download the [.zip file](http://cjmart.in/2006/12/01/install-x11-on-tiger-without-the-tiger-install-dvd/) and install those two .pkg files. They are X-Windows for OS X 10.4 ETA: After that, GIMP should work. ---
**Author:** ![rbroome](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/838e76/32.png) [@rbroome](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rbroome)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2009, 1:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/apple-mac-os-x-need-free-program-for-png-gif-jpg-etc-editing/481407/11 "2009-01-15T13:05:42Z")
> [@Stink Fish Pot](#): > > Is there a free file editor that I can download to permit editing of png, gif, jpg etc. files? I’m not very familiar with the Mac, so if there is something that is part of Apple’s software that does this and may already be sitting on my computer, I’d like to know that too. > > The only things I’ve been able to find are paint and draw, part of the AppleWorks package, and these two apps don’t seem to allow me to load these formats. > > I find it hard to believe that there isn’t some basic editor out there, or provided by Apple. Can anyone point me in the right direction? If there is a program that would allow me to load just an existing png file, then edit and save it, that would be a great start. The more formats the better, but I’ll take what I can get. > > Thanks! GraphicConverter is shareware and can do a lot. It is a good, not great, image editor. It’s power is in reading many different formats and converting them (it’s original purpose). But GIMP and GraphicConverter are the two simplest and easiest to obtain solutions. ---
**Author:** ![UncleRojelio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/unclerojelio/32/3160_2.png) [@UncleRojelio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UncleRojelio)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2009, 1:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/apple-mac-os-x-need-free-program-for-png-gif-jpg-etc-editing/481407/12 "2009-01-15T13:16:07Z")
I’ll second [GraphicConverter](http://www.lemkesoft.com/content/193/key-features.html). Been using it for years. ---
**Author:** ![MikeS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/919ad9/32.png) [@MikeS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MikeS)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2009, 1:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/apple-mac-os-x-need-free-program-for-png-gif-jpg-etc-editing/481407/13 "2009-01-15T13:26:11Z")
For _very_ basic manipulations (cropping, rescaling, color adjustment, rotation, flipping, etc.), you can use the Preview application, which is part of the basic OS X install. (Or, at least, you can do these things with the version of Preview that comes with 10.5. Not sure about the version that comes with 10.4.) ---
**Author:** ![The\_Shroud](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/439d5e/32.png) [@The\_Shroud](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Shroud)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2009, 1:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/apple-mac-os-x-need-free-program-for-png-gif-jpg-etc-editing/481407/14 "2009-01-15T13:31:46Z")
Not sure what sort of editing you need to do, but a lot of people aren’t aware that OS X’s built in Preview program allows you to crop, resize, and make various adjustments to color, contrast, sharpness, etc. Also, Google’s newly-released [Picasa](http://picasa.google.com/mac/) gives you some basic tools for cropping, straightening, adjusting color, and adding some built-in effects. You can also add text, retouch blemishes, and remove redeye. ---
**Author:** ![crypto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b3f665/32.png) [@crypto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crypto)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2009, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/apple-mac-os-x-need-free-program-for-png-gif-jpg-etc-editing/481407/15 "2009-01-15T15:00:48Z")
Thanks all! Thanks especially to **seodoa** … I downloaded the zip to get X11, and that allowed GIMP to run. GIMP was exactly what I was looking for. I’ll take a look at GraphicConverter also. I’m curious to see the differences between it and GIMP. FTR, I did find those basic tools in Finder to allow flip, crop, resize, etc… but it wasn’t very useful. That functionality was as basic as it gets. For anyone that needs to do what I did, follow **seodoa** ’s instructions… worked with no problem. One quick question unrelated to graphics, but related to the Mac. How do I see the list of programs currently installed on the computer and remove the ones I don’t need? I can’t seem to find the Mac equivalent to “add/remove programs” in windows. Is there a good place on the web that helps a window-centric person like me to search on window functionality, and show the Mac equivalent? SFP ---
**Author:** ![seodoa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/4af34b/32.png) [@seodoa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/seodoa)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2009, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/apple-mac-os-x-need-free-program-for-png-gif-jpg-etc-editing/481407/16 "2009-01-15T15:08:02Z")
> [@Stink Fish Pot](#): > > Is there a good place on the web that helps a window-centric person like me to search on window functionality, and show the Mac equivalent? Apple already thought of that: [Bam](http://www.apple.com/support/switch101/) and [bam](http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2514?viewlocale=en_US). Not totally complete lists, but they are a start. As for installed software. In MacOS X, all non-system software is installed in the “Applications” folder. To uninstall software, just drag it to the trash. ETA: MacOS’ idea of .app bundles has always been a favorite of mine. It’s so much more intuitive, more elegant, and faster to just drag and drop (or select and hit ‘delete’) than to use a separate installer/uninstaller. ---
**Author:** ![Geek\_Mecha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ecae2f/32.png) [@Geek\_Mecha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Geek_Mecha)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2009, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/apple-mac-os-x-need-free-program-for-png-gif-jpg-etc-editing/481407/17 "2009-01-15T20:20:12Z")
If you are using OSX, GraphicConverter should already be installed. ---
**Author:** ![Sunspace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunspace/32/1250_2.png) [@Sunspace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunspace)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2009, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/apple-mac-os-x-need-free-program-for-png-gif-jpg-etc-editing/481407/18 "2009-01-15T20:26:12Z")
> [@AudreyK](#): > > If you are using OSX, GraphicConverter should already be installed. Eh? AFAIK, GraphicConverter is a product of [Lemkesoft](http://www.lemkesoft.com/index.html). ---
**Author:** ![Sunspace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunspace/32/1250_2.png) [@Sunspace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunspace)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2009, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/apple-mac-os-x-need-free-program-for-png-gif-jpg-etc-editing/481407/19 "2009-01-15T20:36:07Z")
> [@seodoa](#): > > Apple already thought of that: > > [Bam](http://www.apple.com/support/switch101/) and [bam](http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2514?viewlocale=en_US). Not totally complete lists, but they are a start. > > As for installed software. In MacOS X, all non-system software is installed in the “Applications” folder. To uninstall software, just drag it to the trash. > > ETA: MacOS’ idea of .app bundles has always been a favorite of mine. It’s so much more intuitive, more elegant, and faster to just drag and drop (or select and hit ‘delete’) than to use a separate installer/uninstaller. There is some software that is installed from a package file (.pkg) instead of as an app bundle. When you install this, you click on the .pkg file and an installer runs. I’m not sure how to uninstall such a package. Edit: [Link for beginners](http://theappleblog.com/2007/04/19/new-to-mac-app-install-and-uninstall/). ---
**Author:** ![Bagistan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ea5d25/32.png) [@Bagistan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bagistan)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2009, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/apple-mac-os-x-need-free-program-for-png-gif-jpg-etc-editing/481407/20 "2009-01-15T21:27:41Z")
If you, as I, were looking for a simple image editor for the Mac, go for [Seashore](http://seashore.sourceforge.net/). It’s somewhere between MSPaint and the GIMP in terms of complexity and functionality. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/apple-mac-os-x-need-free-program-for-png-gif-jpg-etc-editing/481407.md?page=2)