Simple graphic editing is essential tool for a blogger. Blogs that have photo images included enhances the visitor experience. Every computer operating system has an accompanying graphic editing tool. Windows operating system has this MS Paint software as the default. It would suffice for direct pasting of a captured screen, but don’t have a cropping function. I find the software too limited in features.

I began searching for a substitute graphic editing software on Windows XP. This led me to GIMP the open source replacement of the renowned Adobe Photoshop. GIMP is a great graphic editing software, but what I want is something simple and easy to use. I discovered, Paint.Net which is a clean, but powerful substitute for MS paint. There are things that can be done similar to what Photoshop does.

Some effects and artistry that could be done with Paint.Net:

• cutting out images – easily cut out images out of pictures
• drop shadows – add depth to artwork with drop shadows
• glossy glass buttons – create glassy buttons like web 2
• transparent background – make background of an image transparent
• lighting and blur effect – create some light saber effect
• scotch tape – create a transparent segment of scotch tape

Those are a few of the effects and possible things that could be done with Paint.Net. If you are looking for an MS Paint substitute then I recommend Paint.Net. Paint.Net graphic editing software is a perfect simple yet powerful Windows XP Microsoft Paint substitute. Fire up your blog with photos done with Paint.net.