Pixelmator Pro

Pixelmator Pro
Developer(s)Pixelmator Team
Initial releaseNovember 29, 2017
Stable release
3.6.16 (Archipelago)
Written inSwift
Operating systemmacOS
PredecessorPixelmator Classic
TypeGraphics software
LicenseProprietary
Websitewww.pixelmator.com

Pixelmator Pro is a photo, video,[1] and vector[2] graphic editor developed by Pixelmator Team for macOS as part of its Pixelmator set of apps. As a Mac-only app, Pixelmator Pro relies heavily on technologies from Apple platforms such as Metal, CoreML, Core Image, AVFoundation, GCD, and SwiftUI.[3] They are based in Vilnius, Lithuania. [4]

Features

[edit]
  • GPU accelerated with Metal[3]
  • 50+ standard image editing tools
  • Layer-based image editor
  • Video editing support[1]
  • Vector graphic support (including SVG support)
  • AI-powered editing features such as background removal ML Super Resolution[5] and Smart Replace[6]
  • Supports a variety of media formats (JPEG, RAW, Apple ProRAW, PSD, PNG, GIF, MP4, HEIF, etc)[3]

Reception

[edit]

Pixelmator Pro was generally well-received by reviewers who praised its deep use of machine learning,[7] fully macOS-native design,[8] and relatively affordable one-time purchase compared to subscription software such as Adobe Photoshop.[9] Some reviewers criticized that some features hard to find or hard to use.[9][10] It was awarded Apple's Mac App of the Year in 2018.[11]

Pixelmator Pro does not have support for panorama stitching.[12]

Purchase by Apple

[edit]

On November 1, 2024, the Pixelmator Team announced that they were to be acquired by Apple, subject to regulatory approval.[13] Their site promises "There will be no material changes to the Pixelmator Pro, Pixelmator for iOS, and Photomator apps at this time." The acquisition was completed in February 2025.[14]

Version History

[edit]
Version Codename Release Date Notable Changes Ref(s)
1.0 Whirlwind November 29, 2017
  • Initial release
[15]
1.1 Monsoon May 31, 2018
  • Added Touch Bar support
  • Added vector import/export support
  • Added SVG and HEIF support
  • Added slice tool
  • Added Tutorials
[16][17]
1.2 Quicksilver October 18, 2018 [18][19]
1.3 Prism January 18, 2019
  • Added layer tagging, filters, and search
  • Added clip masks
[20][21]
1.4 Hummingbird July 23, 2019 [22][23]
1.5 Avalon October 10, 2019 [24][25]
1.6 Magenta March 30, 2020
  • New color picker
  • Notifies users if a font is missing from the system
  • Performance improvements
  • Added WebP support
[26][27]
1.7 Sequoia July 16, 2020
  • Added ML Super Resolution
  • Text can now be placed along paths, improving the ability to make rounded text
  • The canvas can now be freely rotated to any angle
[5]
1.8 Lynx September 17, 2020 [28]
2.0 Junipero November 18, 2020 [29][30]
2.1 Coral June 29, 2021
  • Added ML Crop
  • Rewritten .PSD engine
[31][28]
2.2 Carmel October 25, 2021 [32]
2.3 Abracadabra November 23, 2021
  • Added AI-powered Magic Background Eraser and Select Subject
  • Added Select and Mask tool
  • Added export to Motion
[33][28]
2.4 Odesa April 12, 2022
  • Added color adjustments layers
  • Redesigned layers sidebar
  • Added new vector shapes
[34]
3.0 Muse September 22, 2022
  • Added 200+ design templates and 16 editable mockups
  • Added AI-powered Smart Replace
[35][6]
3.1 Fortuna November 2, 2022 [36]
3.2 Lumière December 6, 2022
  • Added video editing (with accompanying new templates)
  • Added support for MP4, MOV, and other video formats
  • Added ML-based deband
[37][1][28]
3.3 Mosaic February 28, 2023
  • Added Remove Color feature
  • Added Shadow and Highlight Recovery
  • Added Stroke Styles
[38][39]
3.4 Camelot September 11, 2023
  • Added advanced PDF support
  • Added Convert to PDF Shortcut
[40]
3.5 Flare December 13, 2023 [41]
3.6 Archipelago May 23, 2024
  • Redesigned masking
  • AI background masks
  • Full masking compability
3.6.7 Archipelago Aug 20, 2024
  • Auto Straighten
  • Other Improvements and Fixes

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c Salman, Ali (2022-12-08). "Latest Pixelmator Pro Update Brings Support For Video Editing on the Mac". Wccftech. Retrieved 2023-08-05.
  2. ^ Zibreg, Christian (2018-05-31). "Pixelmator Pro gains HEIF export, web tools, Touch Bar support, smart adjustments & more". iDownloadBlog.com. Retrieved 2023-08-05.
  3. ^ a b c Team, Pixelmator. "Tech Specs - Pixelmator Pro". Tech Specs - Pixelmator Pro. Retrieved 2023-08-05.
  4. ^ |https://www.pixelmator.com/blog/2024/11/01/a-new-home-for-pixelmator%7C
  5. ^ a b Zibreg, Christian (2020-07-16). "Pixelmator Pro 1.7 adds text on a path, freeform canvas rotation & more". iDownloadBlog.com. Retrieved 2023-08-05.
  6. ^ a b Mendez, Andrew (2022-09-22). "Pixelmator Pro 3.0 arrives, adding new features, 200 templates, mockups and more". TechCrunch. Retrieved 2023-08-05.
  7. ^ Jackie Dove (2018-01-23). "Pixelmator Pro Review: Still a Powerful Bargin". Tom's Guide. Retrieved 2023-08-05.
  8. ^ Simpson, Jayphen (2017-09-06). "Pixelmator Pro to Feature AI-Powered Photo Editing Features". PetaPixel. Retrieved 2023-08-05.
  9. ^ a b "Pixelmator Pro review: An affordable alternative for pro Photoshop users". Macworld. Retrieved 2023-08-05.
  10. ^ Jackie Dove (2018-01-23). "Pixelmator Pro Review: Still a Powerful Bargin". Tom's Guide. Retrieved 2023-08-05.
  11. ^ "Apple presents the best of 2018". Apple Newsroom. Retrieved 2023-08-05.
  12. ^ https://www.slrlounge.com/affinity-photo-vs-pixelmator-pro-which-is-better-for-photographers-and-why/
  13. ^ Team, Pixelmator (2024-11-01). "A new home for Pixelmator". Pixelmator Blog. Retrieved 2025-01-15.
  14. ^ Julie Clover (2025-02-11). "Apple Completes Pixelmator Acquisition". macrumors.com. Retrieved 2025-02-12.
  15. ^ "Pixelmator Team introduces Pixelmator Pro - Pixelmator Blog". www.pixelmator.com. Retrieved 2023-08-05.
  16. ^ "Pixelmator Team releases major update to Pixelmator Pro - Pixelmator Blog". www.pixelmator.com. Retrieved 2023-08-05.
  17. ^ Zibreg, Christian (2018-05-31). "Pixelmator Pro gains HEIF export, web tools, Touch Bar support, smart adjustments & more". iDownloadBlog.com. Retrieved 2023-08-05.
  18. ^ "Pixelmator Pro 1.2 Quicksilver out now - Pixelmator Blog". www.pixelmator.com. Retrieved 2023-08-05.
  19. ^ "Pixelmator Pro 1.2 upgrade adds macOS Mojave support, Core ML-based photo enhancement tool". AppleInsider. 2018-10-18. Retrieved 2023-08-05.
  20. ^ "Pixelmator Pro gets another major update - Pixelmator Blog". www.pixelmator.com. Retrieved 2023-08-05.
  21. ^ "Pixelmator Pro gets new layer tools, clipping masks, more in 'Prism' update". AppleInsider. 2019-01-23. Retrieved 2023-08-05.
  22. ^ "Hands on: Pixelmator Pro 1.4 brings full image editing tools to Apple Photos". AppleInsider. 2019-07-23. Retrieved 2023-08-05.
  23. ^ "Pixelmator Pro updated with incredible new Photos extension - Pixelmator Blog". www.pixelmator.com. Retrieved 2023-08-05.
  24. ^ "Pixelmator Pro 1.5 Avalon now available - Pixelmator Blog". www.pixelmator.com. Retrieved 2023-08-05.
  25. ^ "Pixelmator Pro v1.5 adds support for Catalina, Sidecar, and the Mac Pro". AppleInsider. 2020-08-31. Retrieved 2023-08-05.
  26. ^ "Pixelmator Pro 1.6 Magenta now available". Pixelmator Blog. Retrieved 2023-08-05.
  27. ^ Team, Pixelmator. "Pixelmator Pro adds WebP support". Pixelmator Blog. Retrieved 2023-08-05.
  28. ^ a b c d "What's New". What's New. Retrieved 2023-08-05.
  29. ^ Chin, Monica (2020-11-18). "Pixelmator Pro gets update for M1 Macs". The Verge. Retrieved 2023-08-05.
  30. ^ "Pixelmator Pro 2.0 Launches With All-New Design and Native Apple M1 Support". MacRumors. 2020-11-18. Retrieved 2023-08-05.
  31. ^ "Pixelmator Pro 2.1 Coral Brings AI-Driven Cropping, Quick Fill and Stroke With Brush Features, and More". MacRumors. 2021-06-29. Retrieved 2023-08-05.
  32. ^ "Pixelmator Pro 2.2 Update Adds macOS Monterey Support, 28 Shortcuts Actions, New Split Comparison View, and More". MacRumors. 2021-10-26. Retrieved 2023-08-05.
  33. ^ "Pixelmator Pro 2.3 released: New AI-powered Magic Background Eraser and Select Subject". DPReview. Retrieved 2023-08-05.
  34. ^ Oliver Haslam (2022-04-12). "Huge Pixelmator Pro 2.4 gains a new-look Layers sidebar, new shapes, and more". iMore. Retrieved 2023-08-05.
  35. ^ "Pixelmator Pro 3.0 Released With Over 200 Design Templates and Mockups, More". iClarified. 2022-09-22. Retrieved 2023-08-05.
  36. ^ "New Pixelmator Pro 3.1 adds macOS Ventura and AVIF image support". AppleInsider. 2022-11-02. Retrieved 2023-08-05.
  37. ^ "Pixelmator 3.2 released: Affordable Mac image editing app adds video editing". DPReview. Retrieved 2023-08-05.
  38. ^ Adorno, José (2023-02-28). "Pixelmator Pro 3.3 for Mac adds powerful new features". BGR. Retrieved 2023-08-05.
  39. ^ Gray, Jeremy (2023-02-28). "Pixelmator Pro Update Makes it Easier to Remove Color and Improve Photos". PetaPixel. Retrieved 2023-08-05.
  40. ^ "Pixelmator Pro 3.4 adds extensive PDF editing support including separating images and text into layers". AppleInsider. 2023-09-11. Retrieved 2023-09-12.
  41. ^ "Pixelmator Pro 3.5 update adds HDR image and video editing support". AppleInsider. 2023-12-13. Retrieved 2024-03-26.