SoftOrbits Photo Retoucher banishes dust bunnies and imperfections, breathing new life into your cherished photos.

  1. 1️⃣ Download and Install Photo Retoucher.
  2. 2️⃣ Open the Photo.
  3. 3️⃣ Select Removal Tool.
  4. 4️⃣ Adjust Settings (Optional).
  5. 5️⃣ Remove dust spots from photos.
 Download for Free
Eugene - CEO at SoftOrbits, Candidate of Technical Sciences, has more than 16 years of expertise in software development and testing.. Developed by a team of specialists, including engineer Julia, PhD candidate Paul. 170+ hours of work went into this page.
📅 Last updated on:  2024-11-01

Dust specks appeared on recovered vacation photographs, initially preventing clear viewing. Various digital restoration tools demonstrated inconsistent reliability. Photo restoration software download effectively eliminated dust contamination. Restored images now meet social media publication standards.

Enhancing old pictures is easy with SoftOrbits Photo Retouher because, unlike other confusing programs, this is simple to use and curated.

How to remove dust spots and scratches from photos easily

Scan the original image

The first step is to make a digital copy of the photo you want to restore.

This can be done by scanning the physical image using a digital scanner or your phone. Unless you are a professional restorer who has to process hundreds of photos, you can download a scanning app for your smartphone and use that for free.

However, sometimes a scanned image needs to be more light and natural. In that case, you can photograph the physical copy. Ensure you focus correctly and take a photo that doesn't need to be cropped later to have a high-quality digital version ready!

You are ready for restoration after scanning or taking a photo of the original.

Load the image in the software

Add file into program..

After you start Software, you will see an option Add File in the corner. Use that to load the photo in the program and begin editing.

Use the AI restoration & Colourize Option

Ues the AI restoration tab. AI Assists, You Refine: Let AI handle the heavy lifting, then fine-tune for a flawless finish.

Colorize photos..

Select the Remove Tool

Select the option for removing scratches..

In the toolbar on top, you will see an icon marked as Remove. Selecting this will let you mark the damaged or scratched areas and remove them quickly.

Highlight the damaged areas

Select the damaged area..

Before you mark the areas to be restored, select the pencil icon from the right panel first.

This changes your mouse pointer to a small dot. Now, all you have to do is left-click on your mouse and use the pointer to highlight the damaged area. If there is a scratch or a stain somewhere, tap and drag over it and mark it in red.

Remember to adjust the pencil size per the damaged area!

The Software also gives you different options for selecting the area to be restored. Instead of a pencil, you can use the rectangular shape option to draw a box. This will help you save time as you won't have to mark the whole area by hand!

Click Remove

Result..

Once you have selected the areas to be cleaned up, click on the Remove option at the bottom right corner. The program will analyze the pixels and clean them up automatically without any trace!

SoftOrbits Photo Retoucher SoftOrbits Photo Retoucher

SoftOrbit Photo Retoucher is an old photo restoration software that can improve scanned photos by removing blemishes, touching them up, and restoring them.

 Download for Free

Video Tutorials

Pros:

User-friendly interface designed for beginners.

Includes both automatic and manual tools for flexibility.

Offers additional restoration features like blemish removal and color correction.

Cons:

Requires a subscription for full functionality.

Limited batch processing capabilities.

Not a cloud-based solution, requiring local installation.

My experience and expertise in choosing Software

Choosing the right photo software can breathe new life into your photos. SoftOrbits Photo Retoucher is a popular option, but it's important to consider all your choices before deciding. Here's a breakdown of what this software offers and some alternatives to explore.

Photo Retoucher
It is a downloadable software program designed specifically for photo restoration. It boasts a user-friendly interface and offers a variety of tools to remove dust, scratches, and blemishes.
Strengths

  • Easy to Use: It is designed with beginners in mind. The interface is straightforward, and the tools are clearly labeled.
  • Automatic and Manual Tools: The software offers both automatic and manual tools for dust and scratch removal. This allows for flexibility depending on the severity of the damage and your desired level of control.
  • Additional Restoration Features: Beyond dust removal, the program provides tools for blemish removal, color correction, and image cropping.

Limitations:

  • Paid Software: this program is not a free one. While there may be trial versions available, you'll need to pay to unlock the full functionality.
  • Limited Batch Processing: The software's batch processing capabilities might be limited compared to higher-end photo editing programs.
  • Not Cloud-Based: As a downloadable program, it requires installation on your computer and won't work on other devices unless you transfer the files.

Suitable for Beginners and Occasional Picture Restoration
It is a simple program to fix up old pictures. It's ideal for occasional use or for those who have a small collection of photos that need some TLC.
However, if you:

  • Need to restore a large number of photos: Consider software with more robust batch processing capabilities.
  • Are a professional photo editor: You might benefit from a more advanced photo editing program that offers a wider range of restoration tools.
  • Prefer a cloud-based solution: Explore online services that can be accessed from any device.

It is a user-friendly option for beginners, but there are other tools available to suit more advanced users or those with larger photo restoration projects.

.

As a professional photographer and software expert, I prioritize software with robust dust and scratch removal algorithms, precise control over editing tools, and compatibility with various image formats. The software should offer both automatic and manual restoration options, allowing for flexibility in addressing different levels of damage. Additionally, a user-friendly interface and efficient performance are crucial factors in selecting a reliable dust and scratch removal tool.

Paul

Features

After removing scratches, stains, date stamps, etc., you can also use the editing program to process your image.

Image Correction

Select image correction..

No photo can be restored entirely without slight brightness, contrast, and white balance adjustments.
Clicking on the Image Correction option in the toolbar will give you different lighting adjustments like contrast, tint, gamma, and temperature.
You will not have to open any other software to get the perfect exposure!
There is also an Auto Correction button, where the program adjusts the parameters to give you the correct exposure and white balance.

Colourize Option

Colorize images..

Photo Retoucher also comes with an automatic colorize option. You can find this option under the list of tools on top.
No matter the black-and-white image, the program will analyze the areas and fill them with different colors. Adding colors to a faded photo will bring it back to life!

Manual Cleaning Tools

Some areas may not be removed in one go with highly damaged images. In such cases, you can try using the following three options for restoration, which offer more control over how the spot will be removed:

Clone Stamp Tool

Select Clone Stamp Tool..

Clone stamp features are a boon for photographers because they let you replicate a part of the image over another part. You can duplicate a flower or bokeh in your photo or cover up any damaged area with a clean one.
Photo Retoucher has a Clone stamp tool in its toolbar. You can manually choose the area used to cover the scratch or stain.

How to use clone stamp:

  1. After opening the photo, select the Clone Stamp icon from the toolbar. Your mouse pointer will now look like a cross.
  2. Now you have to select the good area – which will be cloned and used to cover up whatever part of the photo you wish. Before making this selection, do not forget to adjust the brush size. You must increase the brush size if you want to clone a large area, like some seashells in your beach photo.
  3. While holding down the Alt button, left-click on the mouse and brush over the area. For restoring an old photo, you must select a clean area that matches the background of the damaged area.
  4. Once you are done cloning, you need to stamp that over the bad part of the image. Release the Alt key, right-click with your mouse, and start moving over the bad part.
  5. As you click and paint, you will see that the selected area is replicated over the image's bad area.

This method is very effective for cleaning minor scratches which have damaged different parts of the image. By selecting other areas to clone – as per the background color – you can cover up the scratch in small steps!

The clone tool, as it is known in Adobe Photoshop, Inkscape, GIMP, and Corel PhotoPaint, is used in digital image editing to replace information for one part of a picture with information from another part. In other image editing software, its equivalent is sometimes called a rubber stamp tool or a clone brush.

Wikipedia

Smudge Tool

Select Smudge Tool..

As the name suggests, you can use the Smudge tool to blend and blur a part of the image with it's surrounding.
By simply clicking on the affected area, you can blend the spot into the background and make it less visible.

Reviews

Software to restore old photographs has lessened my workload. Whenever I get lazy to use complicated programs like Photoshop, I know I can rely on this to process the images quickly. The marker tool is handy!

David B. Tineo
I started using this photo dust removal software to edit an old family portrait. There were lots of fold marks and small scratches. Once I got the hang of the clone stamp feature and the remover brush, I could remove most of the scratches and even some wrinkles on the face!

Bonnie Summerall.
After much effort was wasted on Photoshop, I downloaded the best Dust And Scratch Removal Software. It is effortless to use and works well enough for me. Since I am not a professional photographer, this is good! While it may only sometimes give the best results when the photo is ancient and torn, no other online tool can as well. It has all the basic options like cropping, brightness, dust remover from photo, etc.

Jo Howard.

Way #2: Best Online Software to restore old photographs

At SoftOrbits, our goal is to deliver accurate and trustworthy information.

  • We pick products for reviews based on what people like and what is popular.

  • Our testing phase focuses on spotlighting the prime features of a product and identifying its most suitable software.

  • User reviews from top sites guide us in crafting our product reviews.

  • We gather feedback from our users, understanding their thoughts on SoftOrbits software and other products.

You can check out these online options if you cannot download any program and want to save money on subscriptions for advanced tools like Photoshop and Lightroom.
With dozens of websites offering editing and restoration features – that too for free – you can explore this list and see what fits your bill.

PicMonkey

PicMonkey..

Like Dust And Scratch Removal Software, PicMonkey comes with all the essential editing tools like cropping, resizing, light, color adjustments, etc., although there is a small price for using all its features.
For restoring photos, it has an excellent clone and stamp brush. After selecting the source, you can spread those suitable pixels over any scratch or water damage you wish to cover.
Apart from cleaning and editing, PicMonkey has a few special portrait tools which work great on old family photos you are trying to recover. For fading portraits, there is also a tan option you can try at a low intensity since it helps bring back some contrast and color to faces.

Pros:

Offers essential editing tools like cropping, resizing, and color adjustments.

Includes clone and stamp tools for detailed restoration.

Provides special portrait tools for enhancing old photos.

Cons:

Requires a subscription for full functionality.

Online-based, requiring an internet connection.

Lunapic

Lunapic..

Lunapic is a fantastic online Software with so many features that you might not even be able to try them all. And it's completely free!
From motion blur effects and perspective correction to color filters and pencil sketch effects, this website will give you all you need.
For the restoration, there are different methods you can try. One of the most basic and simplest options is to click on Adjust in the toolbar and select Photo Restore. Lunapic will automatically apply noise reduction and color enhancement to your photo to give it a new look.
If you want more manual control, select the Draw option containing blemish remover. This will help you get rid of spots by simply clicking on them!

Pros:

Free to use with a wide range of editing features.

Offers automatic restoration with noise reduction and color enhancement.

Provides manual tools for more precise restoration.

Cons:

Online-based, requiring an internet connection.

Can be overwhelming for beginners due to the large number of features.

Way #3: What is the best Photo Dust Removal Software for MAC?

Although you can still use the above-mentioned online options on your MAC device, there are special programs you can download too. You can edit and restore images on the go without relying on an internet connection.

Image Mender

Image Mender..

Like Photo Retoucher, Image Mender is a cleaning program with specialized tools which work automatically.
It comes with a marker brush that you can use to highlight the problem areas like stains and scratches and directly remove them all with one click!
You get tools like skin correction and JPG compression fixing along with the remover brush. These are great for portraits as you get a clean image and perfect exposure and clarity too!

Pros:

User-friendly interface with automatic restoration tools.

Includes a marker brush for easy selection of damaged areas.

Offers additional features like skin correction and JPG compression fixing.

Cons:

Requires a subscription for full functionality.

Primarily designed for Mac users.

Inpaint

Inpaint..

Inpaint is a great editing and restoration program because it is easy to use and will not confuse you, like Photoshop and Lightroom.
The program gives a cleaning brush like Image Mender, so you can clean up scratches and damaged areas in just 2 steps – mark and delete!

Pros:

Easy-to-use interface for beginners.

Offers a cleaning brush for quick and efficient restoration.

Suitable for both Mac and Windows users.

Cons:

Limited features compared to more advanced software.

May not be ideal for complex restoration tasks.

Akvis

Akvis..

Available for Windows and MAC, Akvis Software to restore old photographs can be used as a separate program or as a plugin for other advanced restore old photos apps like Adobe and Corel.
You can download Akvis for free and take a trial, but a fee will be paid after the trial ends.
Along with a remover brush that works on stains, scratches, watermarks, and distracting objects inside the photo, this program also lets you fill up blank areas which may have gotten torn or smudged. You can even expand the photo to elongate it, and the algorithms of Akvis will use the surrounding pixels to fill up the gaps and give you a new composition!

Pros:

Available as a standalone program or plugin for other software.

Offers a variety of restoration tools, including a remover brush and filling tool.

Can expand photos and fill in missing areas.

Cons:

Requires a subscription for full functionality.

May be more complex to use for beginners.

Restoring old photographs and bringing them back to life used to require experience in using tools like Photoshop and Lightroom, but not anymore!
You have come to the right place to learn about photo restoration software and how to use them. We will even look at free programs that you can use and special tools for MAC.

⭐ Reviews

PicMonkey:

PicMonkey is a great tool for basic photo editing, including restoring old photos. The interface is intuitive, and the tools are easy to use. However, for more advanced restoration tasks, you might need to look elsewhere.
- Emily R.

Lunapic:

Lunapic is a versatile online photo editor with a wide range of features, including restoration tools. While it's free, it can be a bit overwhelming for beginners. The interface is not as user-friendly as some other options.
- David L.

Image Mender:

Image Mender is a great tool for restoring old photos on Mac. It's easy to use and provides effective results. The marker tool is particularly helpful for targeting damaged areas. However, it's limited to Mac users.
- Sarah

Which is the best software to restore old photographs?

What is the best software..

SoftwareKey FeaturesTechnical SpecsUnique Selling PointsPerformanceCompatibilityPricing
SoftOrbits Photo RetoucherDust, scratch removal, color correctionWindows-basedAutomatic/manual tools, batch processingGoodWindows$49.99/year
PicMonkeyBasic editing, clone/stamp tools, portrait enhancementWeb-basedEasy-to-use, cloud-basedGood for basic tasksWeb-based, cross-platformFree, Pro plan $7.99/month
LunapicExtensive editing tools, auto/manual restorationWeb-basedFree, wide range of featuresCan be slow for complex tasksWeb-based, cross-platformFree
Image MenderAuto restoration, marker brush, skin correctionMac-basedUser-friendly, specialized toolsGood for quick fixes and batch processingMac$19.99/year
InpaintCleaning brush, object removal, image inpaintingMac-basedSimple interface, effective object removalGood for targeted removalWindows/MacOne-time purchase: $39.99
AkvisAdvanced restoration, noise reduction, color correctionWindows/Mac, standalone/pluginPowerful restoration, plugin compatibilityExcellent for complex tasksWindows/MacOne-time purchase: $69-$199

Key Considerations:

  • Ease of Use: SoftOrbits and Image Mender are known for their user-friendly interfaces, while Akvis offers powerful tools but may require more technical knowledge.
  • Features: Akvis provides a wide range of advanced restoration features, while Inpaint excels at object removal and inpainting.
  • Platform Compatibility: SoftOrbits and Akvis are Windows-based, while Image Mender and Inpaint are primarily for Mac users. PicMonkey and Lunapic are web-based, accessible from any device with a browser.
  • Cost: SoftOrbits, Image Mender, and Akvis require a subscription or one-time purchase. PicMonkey and Lunapic offer free versions with limited features or paid plans for full access.

By carefully considering these factors, users can choose the software that best suits their needs and budget.

SoftOrbits Photo Retoucher SoftOrbits Photo Retoucher
Revitalize your old photos with the best dust and scratch removal software. Discover top tools to restore clarity and color.
 Download for Free


🙋Frequently Asked Questions

Free photo software to remove stains and scratches like Lunapic offers basic restoration features like automatic noise reduction and a blemish removal tool. However, these options might have limited functionality compared to paid software.

Yes, there are Mac-specific programs like Image Mender and Inpaint. Image Mender offers a user-friendly interface and a marker brush for easy selection of damaged areas, while Inpaint provides a cleaning brush for quick scratch removal.

SoftOrbits Photo Retoucher and Image Mender are known for their user-friendly interfaces. They offer automatic restoration features and clear instructions for manual adjustments.