why does microsoft paint ruin images?

want2bmortgage3

i've noticed that if i use ms paint (i'm on vista OS) that as soon as i edit an image and re-save it, it loses quality, and becomes quite blocky. this is no good because i need clean images for a web site.

does paint save images in low quality by default? anyone know a decent image editor to use instead? all i need to do is resize/combine some images for a web site without losing quality.

thanks

Idiophreak

What file format are you saving things in? Lossless? Lossy?

Paintshop Pro is obviously the leader in these things, but it's costly (or illegal) - if your needs are really simple, Picassa (sp?) might do, otherwise I'm sure someone will be along with other ideas in a sec...

inflatedcow

Check what file type you're saving the images under, by default I think MSPAINT is .bmp - Also if you're after a decent image editor the most widely used is Adobe Photoshop, but it can be pricey. A free alternative is GIMP which is just as good.

want2bmortgage3

its using jpg file and saving as jpg as well. i need a free editor if poss cant afford anything really!

savemoney

You using a lossy format jpeg you can vary the compression in some programs like paint shop pro (free below) using option save as.... (and altering compression ratio)

Shame you missed paint shop pro last week for free

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?p=23400651

Marty_J

Try GIMP.

Traveller1981

Or try Paint.net also free -http://www.getpaint.net. I've been using it for years as a quick and easy editor and its great. Its like a scaled down version of photoshop, which I also use.

Donnie

Doesn't Vista has a built-in photo editor? Does on my version anyway.