Our Verdict
Pixelmator 3.1 Marble(Mac App Store link ) is the latest iteration of an image - editing app that ’s often viewed as the hobbyist photographer ’s alternative toAdobe Photoshop . Much attention has been sharpen on Pixelmator as enthusiasts seek to break loose the confines of Photoshop CCsubscriptions . Recently , Apple featured Pixelmatoras part of its performance demos of the raw Mac Pro , so it ’s no stroke that the Pixelmator Team has now release a sweet update of the programme roughly in tandem with Apple ’s new flagship desktop Mac . That said , version 3.1 follows closely on the heels of Pixelmator 3.0 FX , whose new feature are admit in this brushup .
The 16 - mo output transubstantiate Pixelmator into more of a pro - even creature , but only for Mac Pro users .
Pixelmator shares some basic feature in common with Photoshop . As a full - service image editor , it has an extensive , Photoshop - like toolbar that propose a slate of traditional , recognizable controls that most lensman call for for editing , compositing , and enhancing image , as well as for imbibe and painting . The program also offers a wide range of exceptional effects in categories such as Blur , Distortion , Sharpen , Color Adjustments , Tile , Stylize , Halftone , Generator , and more .
Layer style , liquify putz , and a young image - editing engine highlighted the new feature introduced in October 2013’sPixelmator 3.0 FXversion , which was tailored to the release of Apple ’s Mavericks operating organization . That version made creating dressed composition with nondestructive redaction tools an well-situated and quiet experience .
Pixelmator 3.1 user interface looks much the same as the earlier 3.0 version — very black .
With its enhanced , multiple - display support , Pixelmator offers even more tractability to open window palettes wherever you want to , and on any presentation you opt .
The Modern Liquify tool let you distort component of an range of a function , tote up whimsical artistic point , or distort images in whole or part with the Warp , Bump , Pinch , and Twirl commands . dawn or drag to magnify , pinch , squeeze , or stretch part of your range of a function for a monstrous looking at or to make and enhance unusual details . I found these tools to be fluid with excellent performance , both on an onetime Mac Pro , and on a unexampled iMac and a MacBook Air . The program ’s support for both iPhoto and Aperture in accessing subroutine library , events , and album within its internet browser pallet is an added convenience .
Pixelmator propose a slate of useful consumer features that Photoshop added over time , such as the healing creature and flushed - middle removal . It even has a full complement of vector tools , which work well , though their capabilities are restricted .
The Warp tools , acquaint in Pixelmator 3.0 FX , assist in a all-encompassing range of editing chore .
With version 3.1 , Pixelmator lend 16 - piece performance , which means that you could open and edit high - number - depth file cabinet in this version of the curriculum — but saving and convert to 16 - bit is allow for the Mac Pro .
Another unexampled feature bring in in version 3.1 lets you print notice , posters , gallery frames , and post card , from within the app , via the MILK Print on Demand military service . The ordination process is easygoing , with step - by - step instructions .
Overall , the program was still and stable , and it operated as I expected in most example on a selection of Macs that most users would belike own . The layers palette provided the flexibility to try out nondestructively with multiple effects and edits at the same time . The challenges that I play involved the programme ’s interface and the effect it has on world-wide serviceability .
A young characteristic in reading 3.1 Lashkar-e-Toiba you order print - on - demand notecards , posters , and other print products from within the app .
Interface dilemmas
Despite Pixelmator ’s many fine qualities , the interface still presents challenges .
Pixelmator has torn a page from its Adobe opposite number with a disconsolate — in this casing stark shameful — background . Some people like this , but I find it a bit much . It ’s severe to read diminutive type of any kind , and even harder if that type is whitened on a pitch-black scope . Adobe offer some modified color scheme choice ; Pixelmator should do the same . That state , the colorful , consumer - favorable toolbar icons are a ease compared with the monochromatic , bevel look of iPhoto and Photoshop .
For class Adobe has offered a choice in how to group Photoshop panels together , and Pixelmator ’s autonomous palettes may well appeal to some user . But for Mac creative person who finally reconciled with the all - in - one program frame , reverting to mandatory self-governing windowpane may be an unpleasant adjustment . Then , too , Pixelmator ’s floating pallet are not dockable , which tend to introduce even more pandemonium on your desktop .
The lack of a tabbed port in the chief window makes it harder to swop between separate images for compositing . item like the syllabus ’s unfitness to lock a stratum can result in some frustrative keyboard - mouse acrobatics .
And while there can be no complaints about 16 - minute potentiality — user have been clamoring for this feature film — it seems silly not to have extended that capacity to all Macs adequate to of handling it , not just the Mac Pro . Pixelmator suppose it is operate to follow through 16 - bit support for other Mac models .
spare floating palettes can be coolheaded , but you have to work firmly to keep your desktop in order .
Bottom line
Photo - editing enthusiasts who attempt to replace Photoshop with Pixelmator have to accept Pixelmator on its own damage . It ’s an in advance consumer app that , with reading 3.1 , gains additional flexibility and features for both consumer and prosumers .
stratum styles and effects are easy to apply .
Despite the fact that certain Pixelmator feature resemble those found in Photoshop , Pixelmator is not Photoshop , and it does not pretend to be . Still , it will likely please many picture taking enthusiast who do not have to work in CMYK or other color outer space or manner , and who do n’t need video capability or sophisticated Photoshop - style nondestructive adjustment layers . Moreover , while photo pros who cooperate in groups or work in similar environments still need Photoshop , most hobbyists probably do not .
Pixelmator 3.1 is a fine upgrade , on top of a recent major rise , so if you ’re running an earlier version of Pixelmator , it ’s deserving instal the raw version now . If you ’re running Mavericks or working on a Mac Pro , you ’ll get a exceptional swiftness vantage , but most new features in adaptation 3.0 and 3.1 will benefit all users .
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