If you are looking for the Virtual Desktop Manager for windows XP, click here.

This may be getting on a bit (Serif DrawPlus 7 is now available), but it is a great introduction to the Serif product line, and it's free.

Catering for both beginners and the more experienced, Serif DrawPlus offers tools for creating all kinds of graphics, from web animations to more traditional drawing (which is its strength).

Wizards are available if you really need help, but most users should find the interface intuitive enough to get started right away.

The majority of the tools you need are accessible from one of the toolbars dotted around the main canvas, and it has all the tools you would expect from a design package such as this.

It has full support for layers, transparency, frames and onion skinning, allowing for those more advanced creations.

You do need to register your details with Serif in order to download the program - click on the download link (below) to be taken to the registration page.