Overview — Krita on macOS
Krita is a full-featured painting application now available for macOS. While its roots are in Linux development, the macOS release keeps the same powerful toolset, making it straightforward for artists to move between platforms. The workspace will feel comfortable to people who have used other professional image programs, helping reduce the learning curve.
Primary tools and typical workflow
- Advanced brush system with customizable engines and brush presets
- Non-destructive layering and blending options for complex compositions
- Vector path tools for scalable shapes and clean linework
- Integrated color management, palettes, and swatches for consistent color work
- Basic image-editing operations such as crop, transform, and selection tools
Supported formats and export options
- Wide compatibility with common image files (PSD, TIFF, PNG, JPEG, etc.)
- Export and import support for layered documents and flattened images
- Options to preserve color profiles and metadata during export
- Capability to work with both raster and vector content in the same project
Open-source license and position among editors
Krita is distributed under the GNU open-source license, which makes it free to use and modify. That openness, combined with its rich feature set, positions Krita as a strong contender when compared to other free editors and even some commercial alternatives.
Who benefits most from Krita
Krita suits a broad range of creators — from beginners learning digital painting to experienced illustrators and concept artists. Its combination of painting-centric tools, image-editing capabilities, and flexible file support makes it a reliable choice for many creative workflows.
Technical
- Windows
- Mac
- Android
- Free