Paint.

NET Tool Analysis

By: Virginia Kromhout
 Description:

Tool Description:

Title Paint.NEt

Available From The software is available for download at :

paint.net

Cost It is available for free of cost via download from the

paint.net website.

Designer “It started development as an undergraduate college

senior design project mentored by Microsoft, and is
currently being maintained by some of the alumni that
originally worked on it.” (paint.net)

Program Basic This product is a free Photoshop that is available to

Description download. The product was developed initially to be
a replacement for paint that comes installed on
windows systems and is comparable to Adobe
Photoshop, Corel®, Paint Shop Pro®, Microsoft Photo
Editor, and The GIMP.
Supported Windows VP or higher
Platforms Or
Windows server (2003 SP1 or newer)
System The system requirements for Paint.NET are as follows:
Requirements • 512 MB of RAM
• 1024 x 768 screen resolution
• 200+ MB hard drive space *
• 64 bit mode requires a 64 bit CPU and a 64-bit
 edition of windows

* “Please note that Piant.NET uses your hard drive to

store temporary files related to undo/redo history.
Because of this, actual disk space requirements will
depend on the type of actions you perform on an
image, an on the size of the image.” (paint.net)

What is Paint.NET
and what does it do?

Paint.NET is a free Photoshop that allows for image manipulation.

When initially downloaded the program comes with many of
Photoshop techniques available but in addition there are forums
where users can find additional plugins are available to download to
add additional tools to the program.
 How does Paint.NET support
learning?
Paint.NET can be used to support learning by generating visuals
for instruction that will support the learning taking place. Visuals can
be used to enhance learning and are an essential part of
developing materials for use in the classroom. Often times as
instructors are developing materials for their classes they wish to put
images in to support learning, but want to make some modifications
to an image. Although instructors want to create useful images for
instruction many do not have access or the ability to get Adobe
Photoshop or similar product in order to create these images.
Paint.NET is a free alternative to manipulate images for use with
instructional. Visual literacy is enhanced from the use of visuals,
which is another valuable resource for students in their learning
process.

Research that supports this tool:

Our world is full of visuals that require us to analyze and
determine their meaning. Visuals also emphasize the meaning of
text. In most textual environments visuals are included in with the text
to emphasis or add meaning to the material presented. The
language like aspect of visuals in their context is known as visual
literacy and is an important part of instruction that needs to be
taught. Visuals and Visual literacy allows for multiple paths to be
used to increase the likely hood of retention of a subject that is being
taught. When students become aware of how much visuals impact
their lives and become more visually literate they learn to better
communicate with one another as well as have clearer views of
materials that are presented to them with the use of visuals. By using
a photo editing software such as Paint.Net that can create custom
visuals that can be used to enhance visual literacy as well as
another path to allow for retention of the subject matter.

Callow, J. (2005). Literacy and the visual: Broadening our vision.

English Teaching: Practice & Critique, 4(1), 6-19.

Zambo, D. M. (2009). Using Visual Literacy to Help Adolescents

Understand How Images Influence Their Lives. Teaching
Exceptional Children, 41(6), 60-67.

Why is this tool appropriate for

the classroom?

Paint.Net is appropriate for the classroom because it allows the

instructor the ability to generate images to use for their materials.
Visuals and visual literacy have been shown to enhance
understanding of material presented with visuals. This tool also allows
a teacher the ability to modify images they may currently possess
that either do not have the desired quality or are in need of a
certain modification to be made to give the image the desired
impact with the content. The use of visuals is an important aspect of
the learning process and can be beneficial to students as well as
help enhance their visual literacy, that can be enhanced with the
use of this tool in the classroom.