Both free and paid multimedia software is available out there for you to make use of. When it comes to free multimedia software, a variety of such software is available for both professional as well as general use.
You can easily install these software on your PC and laptop and access the multimedia files supported by them.
Overview
It is a fact that today multimedia is being used in almost all professional fields, making it impossible for us to imagine this world without the presence of multimedia. You can find it being used in various businesses, creative industries, medicine industries, entertainment, and so on.
As far as the meaning of multimedia is concerned, it is actually a type of media that presents the content with the use of various forms of media, including text, image, animation, video, etc.
But in order to access or open or play a particular type of multimedia, you will need to have a device or software that has been specially designed for playing that multimedia.
Besides, in this comprehensive AniMixPlay review, we will answer your questions about whether AniMixPlay is safe to use or is it legal, how it works, and the like.
Free Multimedia Software
Below I have listed the top-5 best multimedia software for you to have a quick look at:
1) VLC Media Player
VLC is available as an application for smartphones as well as software for PC or laptops, and you can use this multimedia software for playing audio and video files.
No matter what the format of your audio or video file is, VLC media player will face no problem in playing it. That’s because it has been designed to support almost all kinds of audio and video file formats.
The company “VideoLAN Project” developed this software and made it available for free. It simply means that you can download and start using the program for free. Some of the amazing features of this multimedia software are as follows:
- In the VLC player, the video can be resumed from the point at which you stopped it last time.
- It can also auto-rotate your video if you have shot it at a weird angle.
- Subtitles can also be added to any video with the use of this program.
- It also allows you to convert the format of your video.
- There are also some shortcuts available that make your video-viewing experience much better.
Also, if you are looking for the best MKV player, here you are. Also, get to know what is NoiseGator.
2) Picasa
Picasa is also available in both forms: a mobile app (to be used on smartphones) as well as software (to be used on PC or laptops). This software was originally developed by Lifescape Company and later purchased by Google.
It is a great multimedia software that you can use for viewing, editing, and even organizing your pictures. And, it can also be used for creating albums of pictures for sharing with others.
Picasa is also available for Windows XP, Vista, Windows 7, Linux, and macOS. But while using the Linux version of this software, you might be disappointed by noticing the absence of many important features. That’s because this version of Picasa is actually outdated.
Process To Download & Install Picasa
You will need to follow the steps mentioned below to download and install Picasa on your PC/laptop successfully:
Step-1: Go To Webpage Of Picasa
The very first step in the process of downloading the Picasa software on your PC or laptop is to go to https://photos.google.com/.
Step-2: Download .exe File
Once you are on the webpage of Picasa, your operating system will be automatically detected by it. And, it will suggest to you the version which is compatible with your system. Just download this version.
Step-3: Open .exe File
After you have successfully downloaded the .exe file on your PC/laptop, open it if you are making use of Windows.
But in case you are using macOS rather than Windows, you will need to double-click the disc image of Picasa being displayed on your desktop after completion of the downloading process.
Step-4: Accept The Terms & Conditions
Once the .exe file is opened, a pop-up window displaying the terms & conditions will appear in front of you. If you are using Windows, just hit the “I Agree” button to proceed.
And, on the other hand, in case you are on Mac, it will be needed for you to drag the icon of Picasa to the application folder.
Step-5: Start Installation
Next, the dialogue box of installation will appear, in which you can select the location where you will want your software files to be stored on your computer. Just select the desired location and hit the “Install” button.
And, on the other hand, in case you are on Mac, the “picasamac.dmg” disc image and the mounted drive will be needed to be transferred to the trash to be able to download the software completely.
Step-6: Finish Installation
After the installation process is complete, you should hit the “Finish” button if you are using Windows. Once you finish the installation, the Picasa icon will be displayed on your desktop. But if you are on Mac, Picasa will be available on the application folder from where you can open it. And that’s it.
PS: if you are curious about Is Movavi Safe or is it legal to download YouTube videos? Just read more.
3) Media Monkey
Both the free as well as paid versions are available for Media Monkey. However, the basic version is totally free. But for some additional features, you will need to buy the premium gold license.
In both the free and paid version, you can easily play your audio files on Windows. And, in case you want to play other types of media files like videos, it is also possible with the use of some plug-in in both the free and paid versions.
Media Monkey has been created by Ventis Media Inc. Apart from playing the files, you can also perform editing tasks for your audio files with the use of this free multimedia software.
Various formats accepted by it are MP3, MPC, OGG, AAC, WAV, FLAC, APE, WMA, etc. The software can also help you convert your audio files from one format to another. Alongside, the option for burning the audio files to CDs is also available for you to make use of.
Another important thing about Media Monkey is that it supports podcasts as well. Podcasts are supported through Podcatcher. In addition, if you want to sync the audio files with your iPhone or some Android devices, it is also possible with the use of this software.
4) Inkscape
It is software used for creating and editing vector images and is available for PC or Mac as well as for Android phones. The vector images, like logos, illustrations, diagrams, etc., can be easily created and edited with this program.
All of the editing works that you perform in Inkscape are done under the SVG (Scalable Vector Graphics) format. However, there is no doubt that various file formats are well-supported by the program.
Various key features of the multimedia software are listed below:
- Various shapes and images can be created in SVG format.
- The shapes and images created with Inkscape can be further edited in it.
- The feature of image tracing is also available in the software.
- You can also perform tasks like moving, scaling, rotating, etc.
- It allows editing directly in SVG format.
By the way, here is a full Inkscape Review.
5) Windows Movie Maker
This multimedia software has been developed by Microsoft and is available for Windows and Mac but not for Android devices. With the use of this software, you make videos and edit videos. And, further, you can also share them on YouTube, Facebook, and OneDrive as well.
In case you intend to edit your video, it is quite easy with Windows Movie Maker. All you need to do is just put your video on the timeline of the software, and then you can easily perform various editing operations like splitting, repositioning, duplicating, etc.
Moreover, in order to help you make your videos more interesting, the software also offers many editing styles.
Once you have performed the desired editing in the video with the use of Windows Movie Maker, you can save it in any format you want. And it will not delete or damage your original file.
It simply means you will end up having both of the files: the original video and the duplicate video with the changes you have made.
Windows Movie Maker is actually a part of the Windows essential multimedia software. Hence the whole of the Windows essential folder will be needed to be downloaded to install this program.
Not only the Windows Movie Maker but also some other software (like OneDrive) come included in this folder.
6) Blender
Blender is a powerful open-source software for 3D computer graphics and animation. It offers a comprehensive set of tools for modeling, rigging, rendering, and motion tracking.
With its active community and continuous development, Blender provides a cost-effective solution for 3D artists, animators, and game developers.
7) Ableton Live
Ableton Live is a popular software for music production and live performances. It offers a unique workflow, combining traditional timeline-based recording with a session view for improvisation and experimentation.
With its extensive library of virtual instruments and effects, Ableton Live empowers musicians and producers to create, edit, and perform music with ease.
8) CorelDRAW Graphics Suite
CorelDRAW Graphics Suite is a versatile software package for graphic design, illustration, and layout. It offers a comprehensive set of tools for vector graphics, page layout, photo editing, and typography.
With its user-friendly interface and powerful capabilities, CorelDRAW Graphics Suite caters to both beginners and experienced designers, enabling them to bring their creative visions to life.
9) Pro Tools
Pro Tools is a leading digital audio workstation used in professional music and sound production. It offers a vast array of features for recording, editing, and mixing audio tracks.
With its industry-standard capabilities and compatibility with a wide range of hardware and plugins, Pro Tools is the go-to software for audio professionals and musicians.
10) Adobe Creative Cloud Suite
Adobe Creative Cloud Suite is a comprehensive collection of multimedia software offered by Adobe Systems. It includes renowned applications like Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Premiere Pro, and Adobe After Effects, among others.
This suite provides an extensive set of tools for graphic design, video editing, motion graphics, and more. With its intuitive interfaces and powerful features, Adobe Creative Cloud Suite remains the top choice for professionals in the creative industry.
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
1. Which multimedia software is best for beginners?
- Answer: CorelDRAW Graphics Suite provides a user-friendly interface and comprehensive tools, making it an excellent choice for beginners in graphic design.
2. Can I use Adobe Creative Cloud Suite on both Windows and Mac?
- Answer: Yes, Adobe Creative Cloud Suite is compatible with both Windows and Mac operating systems.
3. Is Ableton Live suitable for live performances?
- Answer: Yes, Ableton Live is designed for live performances and offers features like session view and MIDI mapping for real-time control.
4. Does Pro Tools support third-party plugins?
- Answer: Yes, Pro Tools supports a wide range of third-party plugins, expanding its functionality for audio professionals.
5. Can I use Blender for creating animations?
- Answer: Yes, Blender provides comprehensive tools for 3D animation, including keyframing, rigging, and character animation.
Conclusion on Multimedia Software
There is no doubt that the market for multimedia software has grown quite large, making it almost impossible for us to use every single software available out there.
Hence it will be better if you go for the software which is there in the market for a long time and keeps improving along with time as per the market demands.
Almost all of the software mentioned above fulfill these criteria and are worth giving a try for sure.