The best graphic editors written in Flash

When it comes to migrating from Windows to other platforms or web applications, each time there is an undeniable argument: but there is no photoshop! Thanks to the pirates, this legendary graphics package has taken root, probably on the vast majority of computers in the CIS. And undoubtedly, an alternative to such a complex program is difficult to find. But frankly, how in most cases the full power of Photoshop is used? Resize, adjust the brightness, sometimes remove unnecessary details, and send it to an e-mail girlfriend.
Do I need a full-fledged large Photoshop for this? In most cases, no, unless you are a high-end professional designer. So, it will be easier to find an analogue.
But to look for an analogue among desktop programs or programs for Linux is not interesting! We live in the age of Web 2.0, so let's try to look for analogues among web applications. Yes, until recently it would have been fantastic, but the development of graphical capabilities, first of all, Flash, today allows you to get very interesting results. Of course, the described editors will not become a full replacement for the “big brother”, but they will come in handy for small photo corrections. Or imagine yourself in an Internet cafe where you don’t have the usual software, but you urgently need to take the finished picture, change something in it, mark or sign and send it to the person you are talking to. In this case, one of the programs below can save you too.

Disclamer: all screenshots are clickable. But since they were all made in full size, some of them weigh very tangibly. The text only reduced options.

72photos

http://72photos.com
This is not even an editor, but rather a photo gallery, which makes it possible to slightly edit the saved pictures. No drawing. You can only apply effects to the picture, adjusting the color rendition, brightness, and trimming the excess. Also available blur / sharpness and a pair of standard filters. Everything is quite average, nothing outstanding, but as an interesting application of Flash capabilities it will do. It doesn’t work without registration, it supports the free and paid versions. The latter is characterized by increased limits on disk space and traffic. Of the useful features, it is worth noting the ability to work with pictures stored on other photo hosting sites, however, from a very small list.

FotoFlexer

http://fotoflexer.com/
An ambiguous editor that has both a number of undeniable advantages and some disadvantages.
Well, for starters - this is an absolute leader in implemented functions. It supports the largest number of photo hosting sites from which you can upload a photo for editing, it is also possible to download simply by URL, which will allow you to edit any picture at all, downloading pictures from the user's computer is also present. Saving is harder. To save the file wherever you want, you have to register. And even just like that, they won’t give the file to the computer. We'll have to tear it from some kind of file washer. Or register. A trifle, but unpleasant.
A huge number of effects and tools. Here even some traditional editors pass. Draw, apply effects, transform the picture. There are even graphic primitives ready to be added that allow you to create photos so beloved by the people with the insertion of the faces of friends, for example, in dollars. Or add them to an unknown bodybuilder. To do this, now you do not have to go to Sochi or go to a photo studio! :) Here you can also screw the frames and place the poster. In general, expanse for the household photographer. Unless it’s possible to sign “this is Kolyan and I”. The program completely does not understand the Russian text. When I tried to enter the Russian text, I got the same text ... in the English layout.
There are tools for a more serious audience. Complex transformations, selection and repainting tools similar to familiar tools, even some layer support.
True, for all this shift, you have to pay for the presence of small glitches and shortcomings. Either the window will either come out, or the frame will remain on the screen, although the corresponding tool is already closed, or some obscure elements will pop up. Well, the banner on the entire width of the screen at the very top is somewhat annoying. However, you have to put up. There are no analogues in functionality among online services today.

Phoenix

http://a.viary.com/tools/phoenix
Very nice editor with a nice, thoughtful interface. Refuses to work without registration. But then it is able to open files not only from its server and user's computer, but also from third-party services and URLs.
After opening the file, we get a very nice editor with a good set of filters and effects. There is also full-fledged drawing, even with the possibility of Russian inscriptions. Layers are supported. The server side, which likes to malfunction when saving, is slightly upset. Yes, and the application itself could work faster. The rest is a great editor.

Photoshop Express

https://www.photoshop.com/express/
It would seem that there he is! The leader everyone has been waiting for. A popular counterpart to desktop Photoshop from the creators of Photoshop. But there are so many nuances. Firstly, you will have to register first. Secondly, we will see not a version of the legendary Photoshop, but rather an analogue of the aforementioned 72photos, only better executed. This is also photo hosting, and social. You can browse the galleries of other users, even comment on them. At the same time, there is no integration with third-party services, you can only work with photos downloaded from the user's computer. The possibilities of the editor itself are modest. Resizing, twists, a few effects. Again, no drawing. However, the available functions are implemented efficiently, everything also works very smartly. It is said that the authors developed not only Photoshop, but also Flash itself. The resulting product is pleasant to use. And, I think, we should expect further development.

Picmagick

http://www.picmagick.com/
Elementary and perhaps the most primitive of the editors in question. Allows you to only upload a picture from your computer, apply a standard set of effects and get back your photo. There are no options for saving to the server, drawing and integration with other services. Minimalism in its purest form. Not even registration. The editor is immediately ready to go. At the same time, it does not differ in special speed of work. The only feature that distinguishes from a number of other
editors is a skin correction filter. However, dignity is doubtful, the same can be achieved with other tools.

Picnik

http://www.picnik.com/
This editor is notable for the fact that it is used on the most popular photo hosting Flickr as a standard. So, there is something in it. However, no one bothers to use this editor and everyone. Even without registration. And you can upload a picture even from a computer, even from a popular photo hosting or blog, at least from any URL. The editor understands not only standard web-types of graphics, but also a large number of other common formats. By this parameter, Picnik is the absolute leader.
He is good in implementation. A sufficiently long start of the application is offset by a large number of effects and tools. Slightly inferior to FotoFlexer, it is ahead of other competitors. Here are just no drawing in its purest form. You can only impose ready-made graphic primitives. Well, when I tried to enter the Russian text, I got completely question marks. Such a fly in the ointment in a good editor as a whole.
You can save the result either on your computer or on popular hosting services. And you can immediately by e-mail. And in a variety of formats.

Pixer.us

http://pixer.us/
This editor is included in the review rather for the sake of a beautiful number of monitored services. This is generally not a Flash editor at all. It is written in Javascript, which is interesting in itself. Well, the service does not attract a full-fledged editor. You can upload a photo from your computer, apply a series of effects to it and save it back. And that’s all. Everything works quite smartly, but without frills. There is no drawing as a class. But as a demonstration of the capabilities of flashless technologies, the editor is interesting. For example, if you compare it with Picmagick, then the fight will be at least equal.

Pixlr

http://www.pixlr.com/app/?loc=en
This is again the editor in its purest form. No hosting for you. But there is an API that will allow you to embed the editor in third-party applications. However, researching the API is beyond the scope of my review.
So, before us is one of the family of Photoshop clones. There is Russian localization (!!), which other editors cannot boast of. Accordingly, Russian inscriptions can also be done.
Excellent work optimization. Everything opens quickly. Great functionality. There is even a much-loved Magic Wand. Layers and filters are also in place, although the toolbox could have been larger. However, all the main lotions are in place. Yes, and the interface again brings back memories of Photoshop. Pleasant at work, thoughtful editor.

Splashup

http://www.splashup.com/splashup/
Another representative of a hybrid photo hosting and a good editor. Actually, I did not evaluate photo hosting, but I liked the editor. Again layers, again effects, again full-fledged drawing. The Russian language does not work, but everything else is at a decent level. You can upload your picture both from a computer and from the Internet (support for photo hosting and direct URLs), edit and save again in various places.
Very convenient, nice interface, excellent speed. A worthy representative of online editors trying to copy Photoshop.

SUMO Paint

http://www.sumopaint.com/
A very reputable editor. Very close to the desktop application both in appearance and in functionality.
True, as a compensation, it is divorced from the big Internet. Neither download by URL, nor integration with other services can be found. Only an account on your own server and download from a computer. The latter, however, worked for me on only one computer. Perhaps the Finnish server is simply not fast enough to process downloads quickly.
But the functionality is impressive. There are no pop frames and flowers, only serious adult tools. Full support for layers, a variety of effects and filters. Something reminiscent of older versions of Photoshop. Very, very worthy development. And even support for Russian fonts in stock. If you fix problems with downloading photos, it will be absolutely wonderful.

Conclusion

Yes, none of the online editors is and is unlikely to compete with Photoshop. If you can still compete in basic tools, then when it comes to complex filters, Photoshop leaves no chance for competitors. And to imagine in the online version batch processing or plugins is completely impossible. And, of course, professionals will remain faithful to the familiar tool. But for ordinary users, the capabilities of online editors today may be quite useful.
By the way, it is curious that almost all editors are created either by enthusiasts or by little-known companies. Which once again confirms: in Web 2.0, even small teams can challenge large corporations. Old merits do not save anyone.
And I'm not afraid to make a mistake, assuming that in the foreseeable future, similar online editors will begin to embed in their services all the more or less large photo hosting and social networks. Therefore, the future of this direction is very bright.