Blend It

If you are onto a path of designing a simple website and think about using customized tiles for a background, you've landed on the right page. Blend It is an easy-to-use program capable of generating the best tile images for your projects.

Launching Blend it for the first time can feel a bit underwhelming. Whilst it's supposed to sport a modern interface, this tool's default skin looks like a Windows XP relic. The help menu is pushed over a part of the UI right from the start, standing annoyingly in the way while you try to adjust to the architecture. Click the Help button on the toolbar to remove the documentation.

On a more positive note, the tool has an interesting band around it that can be dragged in order to adjust the UI's size. Also, you can check out the options menu to get access to better skins, as the mustard-like base theme is not the most inspired one.

After you've decorated the UI accordingly, you can start the actual work. Add an image to the canvas, ideally JPG or GIF, and you're ready to go.

All tools available for editing an image are located at the bottom of the UI, right under the canvas. You can change a tile's style by flipping it horizontally, vertically, or both; you can adjust the strength levels, for a better edge alignment and also modify the tile size.

The first impression Blend It makes could've been better, but if you are getting past the visuals, you might change unexpectedly change it. For starters, the tool is portable — perfect for working while traveling.

Secondly, being able to complete a specific task without having to deploy a powerhouse of an image editor, but a small tool is a plus. And to top it off, there is no price tag in sight, a reason alone to give this program a try.

Blend It is a handy tool for anyone looking for help with adjusting background tiles for web developing projects. While it's not the best nor the prettiest app around, Blend It wins in the price and functionality departments by far, making it an option for anyone interested.