Pinta
An open-source desktop image editor for everyday drawing, screenshots, annotations, layers, effects and light retouching, with native projects for keeping edits recoverable across Windows, macOS and Linux.
What Pinta does
Pinta is designed for screenshots, quick annotations, cropping, color adjustments, layer compositing and everyday drawing. Its direct interface is useful when a single image needs to become a shareable graphic quickly, while RAW processing, professional print layout and advanced painting are better handled by specialized applications.
Projects, layers and exports
Keep the editable project and original image during editing. Put backgrounds, labels, arrows and effects on separate layers so later changes remain local. Export PNG when lossless pixels or transparency matter, and use JPEG when a smaller photographic delivery is more important; always inspect dimensions, color, transparency and file size after export.
Maintenance note
This page reviews Pinta 3.1.2, platform packages, layers, effects, text tools, project storage and export boundaries. Content review date: 2026-08-23.
Save to your cloud drive
Open the cloud drive to get the file directly, or save it for convenient access on another device.
Quark Cloud Drive
RecommendedSave Pinta to this cloud drive
Baidu Netdisk
Save Pinta to this cloud drive
Pinta 3.1.2 installation and image annotation guide
Use a copied test image to practice cropping, layers, text annotation and export. Keep the editable project before producing a flattened sharing copy.
Before you start
- Choose the package for Windows, macOS or Linux and prepare a copy of a test image.
- Create separate folders for original images, editable projects and exported files.
- Decide the delivery size, format and whether transparency is required.
Installation steps
- 01
Install the matching build
Install the Windows, macOS or Linux package for the target architecture, then check language, display scaling and the default save location.
- 02
Open a copy and save a project
Do not overwrite the original image. Save the copy in the editable project format and verify that layers and history can be recovered.
- 03
Complete a small edit
Use crop, selection, layer and text tools for a limited change, then export PNG or JPEG and inspect the result.
Quick start
- 01
Set the canvas first
Set pixel dimensions and orientation for the target platform, record the original aspect ratio and avoid repeated stretching.
- 02
Use layers for annotations
Separate background, markers, text and decoration, and duplicate important stages so individual elements can be hidden or adjusted.
- 03
Export and archive
Choose format and quality, check transparency, colors, text edges and file size, then archive the project beside the delivery file.
Usage tips
- Large images and complex effects use more memory; save by stage and close files that are not in active use.
- Fonts, plugins and extensions can change rendering, so review the export on the target device.
- JPEG is lossy; keep the project or a PNG master instead of repeatedly overwriting a JPEG.
Troubleshooting and uninstall
Why are the colors or dimensions different after opening an image?
Check color mode, pixel dimensions, scaling and import options, then compare a saved copy with the system image viewer.
Why did text move after export?
Check that the font is installed, the text layer is visible and the canvas scale is correct, then inspect the exported file on the target system.
- Archive projects and assetsSave editable projects, originals, exports and the font list, and confirm that the project folder can be restored independently.
- Remove the application and settingsUninstall through the operating system and remove caches or user settings only after checking that no custom asset is still needed.
Frequently asked questions
What image work is Pinta good for?
It is useful for screenshot annotations, simple cutouts, crops, color changes, layer composites and everyday drawings. Complex RAW, print and advanced painting workflows need specialized tools.
What is the difference between a Pinta project and PNG?
The project keeps layers and editable structure, while PNG is an exported delivery image. Keep the project during editing and generate the published file afterward.
Which macOS package should I choose?
Match Intel or Apple silicon to the computer. Compatibility layers may still require checking fonts, plugins and image libraries.