Install PhotoCraft, LightCraft and the ArtCraft Apps on Windows and Mac

Every ArtCraft Crafting App ships signed installers for Windows and macOS on its GitHub releases page. This guide uses PhotoCraft as the example. The same steps apply to LightCraft, FilmCraft, VectorCraft and the rest; only the file name changes.

Start from the official releases page: PhotoCraft, LightCraft, or any app on our download page.

Windows

Which file?

Your PC	Installer	Portable (no admin)
Most PCs (64-bit Intel/AMD)	photocraft-0.8.2-windows-x64.msi	…-windows-x64-portable.zip
Snapdragon / Windows on ARM	photocraft-0.8.2-windows-arm64.msi	…-windows-arm64-portable.zip
Old 32-bit Windows	photocraft-0.8.2-windows-x86.msi	…-windows-x86-portable.zip

Not sure? Open Settings › System › About. “x64-based processor” means x64; “ARM-based processor” means arm64.

Install

1. Double-click the .msi and follow the installer.
2. Launch PhotoCraft from the Start menu.

The installers and executables are code-signed. If SmartScreen still shows a prompt for a brand-new release (it can until a new certificate builds reputation), click More info and check that the publisher is shown, rather than “Unknown publisher”. If it says “Unknown publisher”, delete the file and re-download it from github.com/storytold.

Portable version

Unzip the -portable.zip anywhere, including a USB stick, and run the .exe inside. No admin rights are needed, which makes it handy on school or work PCs.

Windows 7

VectorCraft has an experimental, unsupported 64-bit Windows 7 build; see its README. The other apps target Windows 10 and 11.

macOS

Which file?

There’s a single universal build for both Apple Silicon (M1–M4) and Intel Macs:

• App: photocraft-0.8.2-macos-universal.dmg, signed and notarized by Apple
• Command-line tool (optional): photocraft-cli-0.8.2-macos-universal.zip, also signed and notarized

Install

1. Open the .dmg.
2. Drag PhotoCraft to Applications.
3. Launch it from Launchpad or Spotlight.

Because the DMG is notarized, Gatekeeper opens it normally. You shouldn’t need the “right-click › Open” workaround or xattr commands. If a site tells you to run those for “PhotoCraft”, you probably have an unofficial build.

The CLI on macOS

ditto -x -k photocraft-cli-0.8.2-macos-universal.zip .
spctl --assess --type install -vv photocraft-cli-0.8.2-macos-universal/photocraft-cli
# … accepted, source=Notarized Developer ID

The first run checks notarization online, because a bare binary can’t carry a stapled ticket.

LightCraft download notes

LightCraft (the Lightroom alternative) installs the same way. On first launch it creates a library at ~/Pictures/LightCraft Library with demo photos, so you can try the develop tools right away. Add your own folder of RAW files from the Library.

First-run tips

• Graphics card. The apps render with wgpu (DirectX 12, Vulkan or Metal). On laptops with two GPUs, apps such as VectorCraft let you choose under Preferences › Performance › Graphics Processor.
• Discord. The apps have a Discord button for help; the community is at discord.gg/artcraft.
• Updates. Releases ship every few days. Check the releases page or the in-app notice.

Or skip the install

Every app runs in Chrome, Edge, Firefox and Safari: PhotoCraft online, LightCraft online, and so on. See running ArtCraft apps in the browser.