MacPaint

Early drawing software

MacPaint was a pioneering graphics application released in 1984 with the original Macintosh computer.

It introduced millions of users to bitmap image editing through an intuitive interface of drawing tools, patterns, and brushes.

MacPaint established conventions that became standard in graphics software: the toolbar, the selection marquee, the paint bucket fill.

I made my first digital art in MacPaint.

history

1984

Dystopian surveillance state tale

AppleCupertino tech giant
LisaFemale given name
pioneeringFirst to explore territory

revolutionary · bundled software · Steve Jobs · desktop publishing

bitmap

pixel

Smallest display unit

monochromeSingle-color rendering
ditheringProlonged indecisive hesitation
rasterGrid of pixels

scanline · resolution · black-and-white · screen resolution · halftone · jaggies

artwork

sketch

Hasty informal drawing

illustrationPicture explaining something
doodleMindless rough sketch
clip artPrefabricated digital graphics

icon design · greeting card · flyer · letterhead · banner · certificate · cartoon · diagram · logo · pixel art

tools

brush

Bristled cleaning tool

pencilGraphite writing instrument
eraserMark removal tool
lassoLooped rope for catching

fill · spray can · rectangle · oval · text tool · eyedropper · polygon

interface

menu bar

Software command ribbon

pull-down menuExpandable interface selection list
scrollWound document of parchment
zoomRapid movement or magnification

undo · cut · copy · paste · cursor · window · clipboard · scrapbook · double-click · WYSIWYG

Opposites

graphics paradigm

MacPaintAdobe Illustrator

Vector graphics editing software

software era/sophistication

MacPaintAdobe Photoshop

Raster graphics editing application

platform philosophy

MacPaintMicrosoft Paint

Basic Windows drawing application

Family

Mac, paint, paints, painted, painting, painter, painters, paintings, painterly

Familiarity: Top 1,000,000
Profile: Used worldwide · Concrete · Rated G