Pixelmator - Powerful Core Image-based image editor

May 05, '08 07:11:00AM

Contributed by: robg

The macosxhints Rating:

[Score: 8 out of 10]

Pixelmator is a layer-based image editing program that takes full advantage of OS X's features, opens tons of file formats (including Photoshop files), and has an interface that's easy to use, despite it not necessarily looking like a traditional Mac application. The program uses your Mac's graphics processing unit (GPU) and Core Image to render many effects in real time. James Dempsey covered Pixelmator 1.0.1 for Macworld last October, so I'll point you at his write-up for most the details about this program. You can also learn about many of its features just by reading company's well laid out home page.

Since his review, however, the Pixelmator team has been hard at work, moving from version 1.0.1 to 1.1.4 in that time. You can check out Pixelmator's updates page to see the extensive list of new features (and bug fixes) in each version. The big news in the move from 1.0.x to 1.1.x was the addition of 18 Core Image and 60 Quartz Composer filters for those running 10.5. They also added graphics tablet support, and more goodies for 10.5 users -- a Quick Look generator, and the ability to let you pick exactly which pages of a PDF to open via Cover Flow.

While Pixelmator isn't a complete replacement for Photoshop or Photoshop Elements (you won't find layer styles, for example), at $59 it's about $30 cheaper than Elements and offers a number of features you won't find in the Photoshop program. I've found their online support to be excellent -- they have a support forum, a free downloadable manual, and a selection of free video tutorials. While the interface may take some getting used to, I've found the program easy to use and very responsive on both the Mac Pro and the MacBook Pro -- for best results, the company recommends a machine with a Core Image-supported video card, but it will run even on older Macs, as long as you're running 10.4 or 10.5. If you're in the market for a powerful yet easy to use image editor, Pixelmator may be just what you're looking for.

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