Our verdict: Chasys Photo is a full image editing suite that costs nothing and goes its own way instead of copying Photoshop. The editor, viewer and batch converter cover editing, browsing and format conversion in one install. Its unusual interface takes time to learn, and it runs only on Windows.
About Chasys Photo
Chasys Photo is the current name of Chasys Draw IES, made by John Paul Chacha's Lab; the old chasysdraw.com address now redirects to its page. All of the lab's products are free, and development is funded by donations.
The suite has three programs. The editor works with layers, adjustment layers and frame-based animation, edits icons, stacks images and runs Photoshop plug-ins in both 32-bit and 64-bit form. The viewer shows images and animations with RAW and location metadata, and the converter batch-converts between more than 100 file formats.
What it does well
- Layer-based editor. Adjustment layers, linked layers and frame-based animation.
- Photoshop plug-ins. Runs 32-bit and 64-bit Photoshop effect plug-ins in the same session.
- Icon editing. Creates and edits Windows icon files as well as regular images.
- Image viewer. Full-screen and slideshow modes with RAW and metadata support.
- Batch converter. Multi-threaded conversion across more than 100 file formats.
Who it is for
Good fit
Windows users who want a free layered editor with animation, icon editing and Photoshop plug-in support.
Look elsewhere
People who want a Photoshop-like layout, and Mac or Linux users.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Free with no ads or paid edition
- Editor, viewer and converter in one suite
- Runs Photoshop plug-ins
- Animation and icon editing
Cons
- Unconventional interface with a learning curve
- Windows only
- Several translations are machine-generated
How to install Chasys Photo
Download the .exe setup from the official page; a .zip version is offered too. Translations for languages other than English are separate language files on the same page.
Questions about Chasys Photo
Is Chasys Photo free?
Yes. It is freeware, and the developer says all of the lab's products are free; donations are optional.
Is Chasys Photo the same as Chasys Draw IES?
Yes. Chasys Draw IES was renamed Chasys Photo, and the old website address redirects to the new page.
