Digital painting - Wikipedia
1 Origins. 1.1 Sketchpad; 1.2 Tablets; 1.3 MacPaint; 1.4 Adobe; 1.5 Kid Pix; 1.6 Corel Painter; 1.7 Web-based painting programs · 2 List of digital art software ...
Kid Pix
In 1988, Craig Hickman created a paint program called <anchor>Kid Pix</anchor>, which made it easier for children to create digital art. The program was created in black in white and after several revisions, was released in color in 1991. Kid Pix was one of the first commercial programs to integrate color and sound in a creative format. While the Kid Pix was intentionally created for children, it became a useful tool for introducing adults to the computer as well.[6]
Kid Pix - Wikipedia
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## Contents

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- [1History](#History)
- [2Timeline](#Timeline)Toggle Timeline subsection  - [2.1_Kid Pix 2_](#Kid_Pix_2)
  - [2.2_Kid Pix Studio_](#Kid_Pix_Studio)    - [2.2.1_Kid Pix Studio Deluxe_](#Kid_Pix_Studio_Deluxe)
  - [2.3_Kid Pix Deluxe 3_](#Kid_Pix_Deluxe_3)
  - [2.4_Kid Pix Deluxe 4_](#Kid_Pix_Deluxe_4)
  - [2.5_Kid Pix Deluxe 3X_](#Kid_Pix_Deluxe_3X)
  - [2.6_Kid Pix Deluxe 3D_](#Kid_Pix_Deluxe_3D)
  - [2.7_Kid Pix 5: The S.T.E.A.M. Edition_](#Kid_Pix_5:_The_S.T.E.A.M._Edition)
- [3Features](#Features)
- [4Reception](#Reception)
- [5See also](#See_also)
- [6References](#References)
- [7External links](#External_links)

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# _Kid Pix_

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From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Bitmap drawing program designed for children

![](//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/b/b4/Ambox_important.svg/40px-Ambox_important.svg.png)

**This article has multiple issues.** Please help **[improve it](/wiki/Special:EditPage/Kid_Pix "Special:EditPage/Kid Pix")** or discuss these issues on the **[talk page](/wiki/Talk:Kid_Pix "Talk:Kid Pix")**. _( [Learn how and when to remove these messages](/wiki/Help:Maintenance_template_removal "Help:Maintenance template removal"))_

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This article **relies excessively on [references](/wiki/Wikipedia:Verifiability "Wikipedia:Verifiability") to [primary sources](/wiki/Wikipedia:No_original_research#Primary,_secondary_and_tertiary_sources "Wikipedia:No original research")**. Please improve this article by adding [secondary or tertiary sources](/wiki/Wikipedia:No_original_research#Primary,_secondary_and_tertiary_sources "Wikipedia:No original research").

_Find sources:_ ["Kid Pix"](https://www.google.com/search?as_eq=wikipedia&q=%22Kid+Pix%22) – [news](https://www.google.com/search?tbm=nws&q=%22Kid+Pix%22+-wikipedia&tbs=ar:1) **·** [newspapers](https://www.google.com/search?&q=%22Kid+Pix%22&tbs=bkt:s&tbm=bks) **·** [books](https://www.google.com/search?tbs=bks:1&q=%22Kid+Pix%22+-wikipedia) **·** [scholar](https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=%22Kid+Pix%22) **·** [JSTOR](https://www.jstor.org/action/doBasicSearch?Query=%22Kid+Pix%22&acc=on&wc=on)_(June 2014)__([Learn how and when to remove this message](/wiki/Help:Maintenance_template_removal "Help:Maintenance template removal"))_

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This article **possibly contains [original research](/wiki/Wikipedia:No_original_research "Wikipedia:No original research")**. Please [improve it](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Kid_Pix&action=edit) by [verifying](/wiki/Wikipedia:Verifiability "Wikipedia:Verifiability") the claims made and adding [inline citations](/wiki/Wikipedia:Citing_sources#Inline_citations "Wikipedia:Citing sources"). Statements consisting only of original research should be removed._(July 2014)__([Learn how and when to remove this message](/wiki/Help:Maintenance_template_removal "Help:Maintenance template removal"))_

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This article **needs additional citations for [verification](/wiki/Wikipedia:Verifiability "Wikipedia:Verifiability")**. Please help [improve this article](/wiki/Special:EditPage/Kid_Pix "Special:EditPage/Kid Pix") by [adding citations to reliable sources](/wiki/Help:Referencing_for_beginners "Help:Referencing for beginners"). Unsourced material may be challenged and removed.

_Find sources:_ ["Kid Pix"](https://www.google.com/search?as_eq=wikipedia&q=%22Kid+Pix%22) – [news](https://www.google.com/search?tbm=nws&q=%22Kid+Pix%22+-wikipedia&tbs=ar:1) **·** [newspapers](https://www.google.com/search?&q=%22Kid+Pix%22&tbs=bkt:s&tbm=bks) **·** [books](https://www.google.com/search?tbs=bks:1&q=%22Kid+Pix%22+-wikipedia) **·** [scholar](https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=%22Kid+Pix%22) **·** [JSTOR](https://www.jstor.org/action/doBasicSearch?Query=%22Kid+Pix%22&acc=on&wc=on)_(September 2021)__([Learn how and when to remove this message](/wiki/Help:Maintenance_template_removal "Help:Maintenance template removal"))_

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Kid Pix[![](//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/b/bf/Kidpix-icon.png)](/wiki/File:Kidpix-icon.png)[![](//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/1/15/Kid_Pix_1.0_About.png)](/wiki/File:Kid_Pix_1.0_About.png)

Kid Pix 1.0 "about" screen. _Above:_ the Kid Pix Studio Deluxe icon.

[Original author(s)](/wiki/Programmer "Programmer")Craig Hickman[Developer(s)](/wiki/Programmer "Programmer")Craig Hickman (1989-1995, 2011-present)

[Broderbund](/wiki/Broderbund "Broderbund") (1991-1998, 2000)

Presage Software (1995-1999)

ImageBuilder Software (1995-1999)

[Riverdeep](/wiki/Houghton_Mifflin_Harcourt_Learning_Technology "Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Learning Technology") (2000-2004)

[The Learning Company](/wiki/The_Learning_Company_(formerly_SoftKey) "The Learning Company (formerly SoftKey)") (1999, 2004)

Software MacKiev (2000, 2004-present)Initial release1989; 35 years ago (1989)[Stable release](/wiki/Software_release_life_cycle "Software release life cycle")

_Kid Pix 5: The S.T.E.A.M. Edition_ (Mac OS, Windows, iOS)


[Operating system](/wiki/Operating_system "Operating system")[Classic Mac OS](/wiki/Classic_Mac_OS "Classic Mac OS"), [macOS](/wiki/MacOS "MacOS"), [Microsoft Windows](/wiki/Microsoft_Windows "Microsoft Windows"), [AmigaOS](/wiki/AmigaOS "AmigaOS"), [FM Towns](/wiki/FM_Towns "FM Towns"),[\[1\]](#cite_note-1) [iOS](/wiki/IOS "IOS")[Type](/wiki/Software_categories#Categorization_approaches "Software categories")[Bitmap graphics editor](/wiki/Bitmap_graphics_editor "Bitmap graphics editor")[License](/wiki/Software_license "Software license")[Proprietary](/wiki/Proprietary_software "Proprietary software")Website[www.mackiev.com/kidpix/index.html](http://www.mackiev.com/kidpix/index.html)

_**Kid Pix**_ is a [bitmap](/wiki/Bitmap "Bitmap") drawing program designed for [children](/wiki/Children "Children"). Originally created by Craig Hickman, it was first released for the [Macintosh](/wiki/Apple_Macintosh "Apple Macintosh") in 1989 and subsequently published in 1991 by [Broderbund](/wiki/Broderbund "Broderbund"). Hickman was inspired to create _Kid Pix_ after watching his son Ben struggle with [MacPaint](/wiki/MacPaint "MacPaint"), and thus the main idea behind its development was to create a drawing program that would be very simple to use.[\[2\]](#cite_note-earlyyears-2)

The application is now owned by Software MacKiev, who had been involved in development of the Macintosh version of _Kid Pix Deluxe 3_ and has been the sole developer of the _Kid Pix_ series since the initial release of _Kid Pix Deluxe 3X_ prior to acquiring the brand from [Houghton Mifflin Harcourt](/wiki/Houghton_Mifflin_Harcourt "Houghton Mifflin Harcourt") in October 2011. The program is currently in dormancy, with no updates since 2018.

## History

\[ [edit](/w/index.php?title=Kid_Pix&action=edit&section=1 "Edit section: History")\]

Craig Hickman was studying photography at [Evergreen State College](/wiki/Evergreen_State_College "Evergreen State College") in 1972 with the aim of taking a career in fine art photography when he encountered a friend entering code into a [teletype](/wiki/Teleprinter "Teleprinter") in the college's terminal room. This impressed upon Hickman a desire to learn how to program.[\[2\]](#cite_note-earlyyears-2) After leaving college he continued to write programs for his own education, and by 1988 owned an [Apple Macintosh](/wiki/Apple_Macintosh "Apple Macintosh") and had begun distributing software in the [public domain](/wiki/Public_domain "Public domain").[\[2\]](#cite_note-earlyyears-2)

While using [MacPaint](/wiki/MacPaint "MacPaint") that year, his then-three-year-old son expressed a desire to use the application. Hickman noted how quickly he adapted to the use of the mouse and keyboard, but also that he inadvertently activated [pop-up menus](/wiki/Pop-up_menu "Pop-up menu") and other user interface elements. It was this experience that encouraged Hickman to write a simple paint program for his son to use; he also decided to make this freely available.[\[2\]](#cite_note-earlyyears-2)

The Color Macintosh was released before Hickman's first launch of his program, which he had named _Kid Pix_. Encouraged by a friend to sell his software rather than give it away, Hickman began working on a commercial enhanced version of the original [monochrome](/wiki/Monochrome "Monochrome") _Kid Pix_ freeware release, called _Kid Pix Professional_, which would retail for US$25 (equivalent to $58 in 2023). An [advertisement](/wiki/Advertisement "Advertisement") for _Kid Pix Professional_ was bundled with _Kid Pix_ when he released it in November 1989. By June 1990 _Kid Pix Professional_ had been released, and Hickman estimates that around 100 copies were sold in total.[\[2\]](#cite_note-earlyyears-2)

Hickman sent a copy of the application to [Broderbund Software](/wiki/Broderbund_Software "Broderbund Software") in the Summer of 1990 on the encouragement of friends, and having been given details for a contact within the company. He did not anticipate the application being adopted, but received a call within a week indicating that Broderbund would like to publish it. Broderbund's release of _Kid Pix_ was demonstrated during the [MacWorld](/wiki/MacWorld "MacWorld") keynote in 1991 and _Kid Pix 1.0_ was released in March 1991 to very positive feedback. By this point Broderbund had also begun developing a version of _Kid Pix_ for [MS-DOS](/wiki/MS-DOS "MS-DOS"). _Kid Pix 1.0_ received several industry awards, including the 1991 MacUser Eddi for best Children's Program, the 1991 Software Publishers Association Awards for Best User Interface in a New Program and Best Early Learning Program, and the MacWorld World-Class award for Best Education Program.[\[2\]](#cite_note-earlyyears-2)

The latest Mac and Windows versions of the product were developed by the current owner and publisher of _Kid Pix_, Software MacKiev, who had been involved in development of the Macintosh version of _Kid Pix Deluxe 3_ and has been the sole developer of the _Kid Pix_ series since the initial release of _Kid Pix Deluxe 3X_ prior to acquiring the brand from [Houghton Mifflin Harcourt](/wiki/Houghton_Mifflin_Harcourt "Houghton Mifflin Harcourt") in October 2011. Hickman had no involvement with the development of _Kid Pix_ from 1996 until late 2011 when he began consulting with Software MacKiev on the development of future editions.

## Timeline

\[ [edit](/w/index.php?title=Kid_Pix&action=edit&section=2 "Edit section: Timeline")\]

[![](//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/b/b1/Kidpix_deluxe_3x_main_area.png)](/wiki/File:Kidpix_deluxe_3x_main_area.png) Screenshot of _Kid Pix Deluxe 3X_

- 1989 - _Kid Pix Public Domain Version_ was released for free in November 1989.
- 1990 - _Kid Pix Professional_ was released at a price of $25 (equivalent to $58 in 2023) with sound, color, the mixer tool, more stamps and bilingual menus in English and Spanish.
- Broderbund became a publisher for _Kid Pix_.
- March 1991 - _Kid Pix 1.0_ was released at a price of $59.95 (equivalent to $139.81 in 2023) with impressive sales and reviews.[\[3\]](#cite_note-oppenheim-kp-3)
- 1992 - _Kid Pix Companion_ was released at a price of $39.95 (equivalent to $93.17 in 2023) and added new features and [QuickTime](/wiki/QuickTime "QuickTime") videos.[\[4\]](#cite_note-oppenheim-kpc-4)
- 1993 - _Kid Cuts_, a derivative of _Kid Pix_ that allowed for creation of special projects, was released at a price of $59.95 (equivalent to $139.81 in 2023).[\[5\]](#cite_note-oppenheim-kc-5)
- 1994 - _Kid Pix 2_ distributed both _Kid Pix_ and the _Companion_ together.
- 1994 - _Kid Pix Fun Pack_ added new stamps and hidden pictures.
- 1995 - _Kid Pix Studio_ was released by Broderbund.
- 1998 - _Kid Pix Studio Deluxe_ was released by Broderbund
- 1999 - _Kid Pix Studio Deluxe_ was re-released by The Learning Company a year after its acquisition of Broderbund.
- 2000 - _Kid Pix Deluxe 3_ was released by Broderbund/Riverdeep.
- 2004 - _Kid Pix Deluxe 4_ was released by The Learning Company/Riverdeep.
- 2004 - _Kid Pix Deluxe 3X_ (Mac OS X Edition 1.0) was released by Software MacKiev.
- 2006 - _Kid Pix Deluxe 3X_ (Mac OS X Edition 1.1) by Software MacKiev added iPod movies export and enhanced integration with [iTunes](/wiki/ITunes "ITunes"), [iPhoto](/wiki/IPhoto "IPhoto"), [iMovie](/wiki/IMovie "IMovie") and [GarageBand](/wiki/GarageBand "GarageBand"), applications from the Apple's [iLife](/wiki/ILife "ILife") application suite.
- 2008 - _Kid Pix Deluxe 3X_ (Mac OS X Edition 1.2.3) by Software MacKiev fixed compatibility with a new version of [QuickTime](/wiki/QuickTime "QuickTime") and added compatibility with [Mac OS X 10.5 "Leopard"](/wiki/Mac_OS_X_10.5_%22Leopard%22 "Mac OS X 10.5 \"Leopard\"").
- 2008 - _Kid Pix Deluxe 4_ was re-released on DVD-ROM by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt two years after Riverdeep's merge with Houghton Mifflin.
- 2010 - _Kid Pix Deluxe 3D_ (Mac OS X Edition 2.0) by Software MacKiev is a major upgrade, with path animation, 3D characters, movie backgrounds, and video narration.
- 2011 - _Kid Pix Deluxe 3D_ (Windows Edition) was released by Software MacKiev.
- 2018 - _Kid Pix 5: The S.T.E.A.M. Edition_ was released by Software MacKiev.

### _Kid Pix 2_

\[ [edit](/w/index.php?title=Kid_Pix&action=edit&section=3 "Edit section: Kid Pix 2")\]

_Kid Pix 2_ added new features to the original. These features were originally available in an add-on known as _Kid Pix Companion_.

"SlideShow" is a program allowing the creation of a [slide show](/wiki/Slide_show "Slide show") of _Kid Pix_ images with transitions and custom recorded sounds. By setting the time delay between slides to the lowest possible setting [animations](/wiki/Animations "Animations") can be created using multiple _Kid Pix_ images acting as each of the [frames](/wiki/Frame_(film) "Frame (film)") of animation.

The "Wacky TV" allows the user to watch video clips in common media formats such as [MOV](/wiki/QuickTime "QuickTime") or [AVI](/wiki/Audio_Video_Interleave "Audio Video Interleave"). The picture can then be distorted using various buttons. The CD came with various sample clips to watch. If a movie contained sound, there was also an option to speed up the audio by 50%, or play it in reverse.

### _Kid Pix Studio_

\[ [edit](/w/index.php?title=Kid_Pix&action=edit&section=4 "Edit section: Kid Pix Studio")\]

_Kid Pix Studio_ offered a complement of programs to the original _Kid Pix_. It opened up the ability for children to create not only static images but animated creations as well.

SlideShow was extended to allow the use of any _Kid Pix_, Moopie, Stampimator and Digital Puppet files in the slide show.

"Moopies" is very similar to the standard _Kid Pix_ program except with a reduced canvas size and the ability to add several animated rubber stamps and wacky brush items. Music and sounds can also be chosen to play in the background of the "moopie".

"Stampimator" is again similar to the standard _Kid Pix_ program and "Moopies", except the animated rubber stamps can be dragged across the canvas recording a path which they would then repetitively follow.

Several pre-made computer puppets are provided in this program. The user can animate them like a real puppet including choosing facial expressions by hitting various keys on the keyboard. Sound and music, and a background can be added to go along with the movement of the puppet.

The "Moopies", "Digital Puppets", "Stampimator" and "Slideshow" creations can be saved as a standalone [executable](/wiki/Executable "Executable") that enables them to be viewed by others regardless of them owning a copy of _Kid Pix Studio_. "Slideshows" also have the added possibility of being exported to a video file, although this functionality is limited to slide shows that contain only _Kid Pix_ drawings.

The "Wacky TV" feature allowed users to watch movies and animations made in Moopies, and Slideshow, and even any movies the user may have on their computer. Several buttons are available for use in this feature, which allows users to watch the movies in several different ways, like in reverse or flipped screen. This was also available on the previous version of _Kid Pix_.

#### _Kid Pix Studio Deluxe_

\[ [edit](/w/index.php?title=Kid_Pix&action=edit&section=5 "Edit section: Kid Pix Studio Deluxe")\]

A later version, titled _Kid Pix Studio Deluxe_, featured an updated picker screen and allowed editing text items after they have been placed down, which was not possible in prior versions of _Kid Pix_. It was also possible in this version to have the computer read the text aloud, and, exclusive to the [Macintosh](/wiki/Macintosh "Macintosh") version, add some music to play in the background during a SlideShow.

### _Kid Pix Deluxe 3_

\[ [edit](/w/index.php?title=Kid_Pix&action=edit&section=6 "Edit section: Kid Pix Deluxe 3")\]

_Kid Pix_ received a significant makeover with _Kid Pix Deluxe 3_. It was updated with a new [3D](/wiki/3-D_computer_graphics "3-D computer graphics") looking interface and new sound effects which makes it almost unrecognizable from the older versions. The only surviving new feature inherited from _Kid Pix Studio_ was the SlideShow. This is possibly because the others were rendered unnecessary with the addition of [clip art](/wiki/Clip_art "Clip art") pictures and animations to the basic _Kid Pix_ program.

Added tools include:

- _Background_, to select a premade background from a large library.
- _Static Clip Art_, a large library of premade static [clip art](/wiki/Clip_art "Clip art").
- _Animated Clip Art_.
- _Sound Tool_, used to select sounds for the image from the provided library or to record custom sounds.
- _Play Button_, upon being clicked, the animated [clip art](/wiki/Clip_art "Clip art") on the page would animate, the selected sound (if any) would begin to play and text typed would be spoken by the selected voice.

### _Kid Pix Deluxe 4_

\[ [edit](/w/index.php?title=Kid_Pix&action=edit&section=7 "Edit section: Kid Pix Deluxe 4")\]

_Kid Pix Deluxe 4_ was released in 2004 and saw several improvements over _Kid Pix Deluxe 3_, including an updated interface whose layout is more faithful to the original _Kid Pix_ (thus causing the canvas to be larger), the Text tool having a [WYSIWYG](/wiki/WYSIWYG "WYSIWYG") font menu, the Idea Machine being accessible from the user interface instead of simply from the program's menu, a leaner and more organized Background library, a bilingual Undo Guy that can yap out both English and Spanish phrases, and video tutorials on how to use the program and each of its individual tools. For Macintosh users, this was the first version of _Kid Pix_ to be compatible with Mac OS X, the last version to be compatible with the "Classic" Mac OS (in this case, [Mac OS 8](/wiki/Mac_OS_8 "Mac OS 8") and [9](/wiki/Mac_OS_9 "Mac OS 9")), and the only version to utilize Apple's [Carbon](/wiki/Carbon_(API) "Carbon (API)") [API](/wiki/Application_programming_interface "Application programming interface").

### _Kid Pix Deluxe 3X_

\[ [edit](/w/index.php?title=Kid_Pix&action=edit&section=8 "Edit section: Kid Pix Deluxe 3X")\]

A new version of _Kid Pix Deluxe 3_, which was initially released in 2004, featured Mac OS X compatibility, increased canvas size and integration with applications from the Apple's iLife application suite, such as [iMovie](/wiki/IMovie "IMovie"), [iTunes](/wiki/ITunes "ITunes"), [iPhoto](/wiki/IPhoto "IPhoto") and [GarageBand](/wiki/GarageBand "GarageBand"). Also, it features export of _Kid Pix_ projects to [iPod](/wiki/IPod "IPod") video format, giving kids a head start in creating their own [podcasts](/wiki/Podcasts "Podcasts"). Further, the exploding screen eraser from the previous _Kid Pix Deluxe 3_ Edition was replaced with a fire hose, which was less destructive and noisy.

### _Kid Pix Deluxe 3D_

\[ [edit](/w/index.php?title=Kid_Pix&action=edit&section=9 "Edit section: Kid Pix Deluxe 3D")\]

A significant upgrade from _Kid Pix Deluxe 3X_, the 3D edition was published for the Mac by Software MacKiev in October 2010 and for Windows in October 2011. While retaining the features of the previous "3X" edition, _Kid Pix Deluxe 3D_ emphasizes digital storytelling with video narration and export to [YouTube](/wiki/YouTube "YouTube"). The "3D" part of the name comes from the newly added 3D animations and backgrounds, and an export to 3D feature that creates anaglyph video images that can be viewed using red/blue 3D glasses (included in the package).

### _Kid Pix 5: The S.T.E.A.M. Edition_

\[ [edit](/w/index.php?title=Kid_Pix&action=edit&section=10 "Edit section: Kid Pix 5: The S.T.E.A.M. Edition")\]

_Kid Pix 5: The S.T.E.A.M. Edition_ is the newest version of Kid Pix by Software MacKiev, available for Mac, Windows, and iPad. It is the first version to have iPad support and 64-bit compatibility, and has a new [Steam age](/wiki/Industrial_Revolution "Industrial Revolution") interface. Currently, it is only available as an upgrade or for educational institutions.[\[6\]](#cite_note-6)

## Features

\[ [edit](/w/index.php?title=Kid_Pix&action=edit&section=11 "Edit section: Features")\]

[![](//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/3/31/Kidpix_3d_paint_studio.jpg)](/wiki/File:Kidpix_3d_paint_studio.jpg) Screenshot of _Kid Pix Deluxe 3D_

The [canvas](/wiki/Canvas "Canvas") occupies most of the available screen face, and the entire canvas is visible at all times. The drawing tools available to the user are placed in a column of buttons down the left edge of the screen. Instead of using [menus](/wiki/Menu_(computing) "Menu (computing)") to access the different options that each tool has, they are displayed in a row of [icons](/wiki/Icon_(computing) "Icon (computing)") along the bottom of the screen. Selecting a new tool presents a new set of options, such as different styles for the _Wacky Brush_. The color palette is situated below the list of tools and consists of a collection of colored squares for each of the available colors. Files with the KPX extension can be converted to the more accessible PCX format by renaming the extension.

The drawing tools used in _Kid Pix_ are:

- _Pencil Tool_, the tool that draws free lines onto the picture. Six line thicknesses are provided.
- _Line Tool_, used to create perfectly straight lines. Like the Pencil Tool, six line thicknesses are provided.
- _Paint Bucket_, used to fill an area with a solid color or pattern.
- _Square Tool_, used to create perfect square or rectangular shapes. Changing the line thickness in the line tool will change the thickness of the square.
- _Circle Tool_, similar to the Square Tool. It is used to create perfect circles, and the thickness can be changed using the line tool.

_Kid Pix_ includes a selection of tools that go beyond drawing simple lines and shapes. These include:

- _Wacky Brush_, contains an array of options to paint various effects onto the image, such as a line of dripping paint, a line of shapes or a random leafless [tree](/wiki/Tree "Tree").
- _Mixer Tool_, provides various options to affect the entire image with distortion, blurring and fading effects. Starting from _Kid Pix Deluxe 3_, an example of the effects would be shown on a butterfly.
- _Rubber Stamps_, a collection of small icons that can be added to the picture in a way similar to the use of [clip art](/wiki/Clip_art "Clip art"). The original stamps were taken from the [Apple Computer](/wiki/Apple_Computer "Apple Computer") font [Cairo](/wiki/Cairo_(dingbat_font) "Cairo (dingbat font)"). From _Kid Pix Professional_ onwards the size of the stamp on the canvas could be enlarged. Eventually, these were transformed into 8-Bit like images that could be edited by the user.

Selection and erasing tools include:

- _Erasing Tools_, these provide several different ways to erase various parts, or all, of a drawing. For example, the popular stick of dynamite would cause the entire image to [explode](/wiki/Explode "Explode") in alternating black and white [concentric circles](/wiki/Concentric_circles "Concentric circles").
- _Moving Truck_, allows various parts of the image to be selected and moved around the canvas. There are different shapes and sizes that the selections can be, such as circles or rectangles.
- _Dye Tool_, used to pick out colors already used somewhere in the canvas.

Text tools include:

- _Text tool_, includes "rubber stamps" of the letters of the [alphabet](/wiki/Alphabet "Alphabet") which speak the name of the letter when selected.
- _Typing tool_, includes basic abilities to add [text](/wiki/Writing "Writing") to the image in different [fonts](/wiki/Fonts "Fonts") and various sizes.

Other tools include:

- _Sound tool_, allows recording custom sounds to add to pictures (e.g. little pug noises, with a bark at the end).
- The "Undo Guy" acts as a standard undo button, undoing the last change made to the image. When clicked, the Undo Guy says comical phrases in different voices. Starting with _Kid Pix Deluxe 3D_, the Undo Guy could undo and redo several times, but in all versions of _Kid Pix_ prior to that version, the Undo Guy could only undo and redo once.
- The "Pick a Draw Me" addition (located under the 'Goodies' Section) gives three random phrases for a drawing idea. Each phrase is said by a different person to inspire the user to draw something unconventional. This feature was absent in _Kid Pix Deluxe 3_ and all versions that succeeded it.

## Reception

\[ [edit](/w/index.php?title=Kid_Pix&action=edit&section=12 "Edit section: Reception")\]

Reception

AwardPublicationAward[Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Award](/wiki/Oppenheim_Toy_Portfolio_Award "Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Award")Blue Chip Award[\[3\]](#cite_note-oppenheim-kp-3)

_KidPix_ was given a blue chip award at the 1994 [Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Awards](/wiki/Oppenheim_Toy_Portfolio_Award "Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Award"). The judges described it as "a fun-filled multimedia art exploration program with a sense of humor" and "chockful of clever goodies that invite computer and artistic exploration", but they noted that the DOS and Mac versions were superior to the Windows version.[\[3\]](#cite_note-oppenheim-kp-3) _KidPix Companion_ was reviewed in the Oppenheim Guide Book where it was described as a program that "make\[s\] a good thing better",[\[4\]](#cite_note-oppenheim-kpc-4) alongside a review for _KidCuts_ which was described as "a 21st-century evolution of an old kids' favorite" and "a springboard for off-line creative play".[\[5\]](#cite_note-oppenheim-kc-5)

It appeared at number 10 of PC Data's List of Top Selling Software list for February 1998.[\[7\]](#cite_note-7)

## See also

\[ [edit](/w/index.php?title=Kid_Pix&action=edit&section=13 "Edit section: See also")\]

- _[Tux Paint](/wiki/Tux_Paint "Tux Paint")_
- _[Mario Paint](/wiki/Mario_Paint "Mario Paint")_

## References

\[ [edit](/w/index.php?title=Kid_Pix&action=edit&section=14 "Edit section: References")\]

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)**["FM Towns ROM Archive"](https://archive.org/details/Neo_Kobe_Fujitsu_FM_Towns_2016-02-25). KidPix FM Towns ROM.
2. ^ [_**a**_](#cite_ref-earlyyears_2-0) [_**b**_](#cite_ref-earlyyears_2-1) [_**c**_](#cite_ref-earlyyears_2-2) [_**d**_](#cite_ref-earlyyears_2-3) [_**e**_](#cite_ref-earlyyears_2-4) [_**f**_](#cite_ref-earlyyears_2-5)Hickman, Craig. ["Kid Pix - The Early Years"](http://red-green-blue.com/kid-pix-the-early-years). _Dry Reading_. Retrieved 22 April 2019.
3. ^ [_**a**_](#cite_ref-oppenheim-kp_3-0) [_**b**_](#cite_ref-oppenheim-kp_3-1) [_**c**_](#cite_ref-oppenheim-kp_3-2)[Oppenheim, Joanne and Stephanie](/wiki/Oppenheim_Toy_Portfolio_Award "Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Award") (1993). "Computer Software/CD-ROM - Tools for Creative Expression: 'KidPix'". _The Best Toys, Books & Videos for Kids_. [Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Guide Book](/wiki/Oppenheim_Toy_Portfolio_Award "Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Award"). Vol. 1 (1st ed.). New York: [Harper Perennial](/wiki/Harper_Perennial "Harper Perennial"). p. 270. [ISBN](/wiki/ISBN_(identifier) "ISBN (identifier)") [0-06-273196-3](/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-06-273196-3 "Special:BookSources/0-06-273196-3").
4. ^ [_**a**_](#cite_ref-oppenheim-kpc_4-0) [_**b**_](#cite_ref-oppenheim-kpc_4-1)[Oppenheim, Joanne and Stephanie](/wiki/Oppenheim_Toy_Portfolio_Award "Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Award") (1993). "Computer Software/CD-ROM - Tools for Creative Expression: 'KidPix Companion'". _The Best Toys, Books & Videos for Kids_. [Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Guide Book](/wiki/Oppenheim_Toy_Portfolio_Award "Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Award"). Vol. 1 (1st ed.). New York: [Harper Perennial](/wiki/Harper_Perennial "Harper Perennial"). p. 270. [ISBN](/wiki/ISBN_(identifier) "ISBN (identifier)") [0-06-273196-3](/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-06-273196-3 "Special:BookSources/0-06-273196-3").
5. ^ [_**a**_](#cite_ref-oppenheim-kc_5-0) [_**b**_](#cite_ref-oppenheim-kc_5-1)[Oppenheim, Joanne and Stephanie](/wiki/Oppenheim_Toy_Portfolio_Award "Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Award") (1993). "Computer Software/CD-ROM - Tools for Creative Expression: 'KidCuts'". _The Best Toys, Books & Videos for Kids_. [Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Guide Book](/wiki/Oppenheim_Toy_Portfolio_Award "Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Award"). Vol. 1 (1st ed.). New York: [Harper Perennial](/wiki/Harper_Perennial "Harper Perennial"). p. 270. [ISBN](/wiki/ISBN_(identifier) "ISBN (identifier)") [0-06-273196-3](/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-06-273196-3 "Special:BookSources/0-06-273196-3").
6. **[^](#cite_ref-6)**["KID PIX 5 upgrade offer"](https://www.mackiev.com/offers/kp5/upgrade_offer.html).
7. **[^](#cite_ref-7)**["PC Data Hits List of Top Selling Software - February 1998"](https://web.archive.org/web/19980628235738/http://www.pcdata.com:80/html/top_sellers/feb98_mac_home_ed.html). _[PC Data](/wiki/PC_Data "PC Data")_. Archived from [the original](http://www.pcdata.com/html/top_sellers/feb98_mac_home_ed.html) on June 28, 1998. Retrieved August 20, 2024.

## External links

\[ [edit](/w/index.php?title=Kid_Pix&action=edit&section=15 "Edit section: External links")\]

- [Official _Kid Pix_ Site at Software MacKiev](http://www.mackiev.com/kidpix/index.html)
- [_Kid Pix 1.0_ web app](https://kidpix.app/)

Retrieved from " [https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Kid\_Pix&oldid=1241259265](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Kid_Pix&oldid=1241259265)"

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