Editing Raster graphics editor

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{{short description|Type of application software}}
[[File:Darktable 4.4.2 with an image opened in darkroom view.png|thumb|[[Darktable]], a raw photo post-processing application]]
[[File:Gimp 2.4.3.png|thumb|[[GIMP]], a feature-rich general-purpose raster graphics editor]]
A '''raster graphics editor''' (also called '''bitmap graphics editor''') is a [[computer program]] that allows users to [[Computer graphics|create]] and [[image editing|edit]] images interactively on the computer screen and save them in one of many [[raster graphics]] [[Image file formats|file formats]] (also known as [[bitmap]] images) such as [[JPEG]], [[Portable Network Graphics|PNG]], and [[GIF]].

== Comparison to vector graphic editors ==
[[Vector graphics editor]]s are often contrasted with raster graphics editors, yet their capabilities complement each other. The technical difference between vector and raster editors stem from the difference between vector and raster images. [[Vector graphics]] are created mathematically, using [[Geometry|geometric]] [[formula]]s. Each element is created and manipulated numerically; essentially using [[Cartesian coordinate system|Cartesian coordinates]] for the placement of key points, and then a mathematical algorithm to connect the dots and define the colors.

Raster images include [[Digital photography|digital photos]]. A raster image is made up of rows and columns of dots, called [[pixel]]s,<ref name="mdn24" /><ref name="gimp24" /> and is generally more [[Photorealism|photo-realistic]]. This is the standard form for [[digital camera]]s; whether it be a [[Raw image format|.raw]] file or [[JPEG|.jpg]] file, the concept is the same. The image is represented pixel by pixel, like a microscopic jigsaw puzzle.

Vector editors tend to be better suited for [[graphic design]], [[page layout]], [[typography]], [[logo]]s, sharp-edged artistic [[illustration]]s, ''e.g.'', [[cartoon]]s, clip art, complex geometric patterns, [[technical illustration]]s, [[diagram]]ming and [[flowchart]]ing.

Advanced raster editors, like [[GIMP]] and [[Adobe Photoshop]], use vector methods (mathematics) for general layout and elements such as text, but are equipped to deal with raster images down to the pixel and often have special capabilities in doing so, such as brightness/contrast, and even adding "lighting" to a raster image or photograph.

== Popular editors ==
* [[Adobe Photoshop]]: Industry standard for photography, design, and digital art
* [[GIMP]]: Free, open-source alternative with similar features to Photoshop
* [[Corel Painter]]: Focuses on digital painting with traditional art simulation
* [[Affinity Photo]]: Professional-grade tools with a one-time purchase model
* [[Procreate (software)|Procreate]](iOS): Popular app for digital painting on iPad
* [[Krita]] : A popular software for Windows.

== Common features ==
* [[selection (user interface)|Select]] a region for editing
* Draw lines with simulated brushes of different color, size, shape and pressure
* Fill a region with a single color, [[Image gradient|gradient of colors]], or a texture
* Select a color using different color models, ''e.g.'', [[RGB color model|RGB]], [[HSL and HSV|HSV]], or by using a [[Color tool|color dropper]]
* Edit and convert between various [[color model]]s.
* Add typed letters in various [[typeface|font]] styles
* Remove imperfections from photo images
* Composite editing using [[Layers (digital image editing)|layers]]
* Apply filters for effects including sharpening and blurring
* Convert between various [[image file formats]]
* 

== See also ==
* [[Comparison of raster graphics editors]]
* [[Vector graphics editor]]
* [[Texture mapping]]
* [[Text editor]]
* [[3D modeling]]

== References ==
{{reflist |refs=
<ref name="gimp24">{{cite web |title=GIMP 2.10 User Manual |website=GIMP Documentation |url=https://docs.gimp.org/en/gimp-first-steps.html |access-date=2024-02-01 |quote=Digital images consist of a grid of square pixels. Each image has a size measured in two dimensions, such as 900 pixels wide by 600 pixels high }}</ref>

<ref name="mdn24">{{cite web |title=Raster image |website=MDN Web Docs |url=https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Glossary/raster_image |access-date=2024-02-01 |quote=A raster image is an image file defined as a grid of pixels. They're also referred to as bitmaps. Common raster image formats on the Web are JPEG, PNG, GIF, and ICO. }}</ref>
}}

==External links==
*{{Commonscatinline|Raster graphics software}}

{{Raster graphics editors}}

[[Category:Raster graphics editors| ]]