May 8, 2013
Pixelmator 2.2 Is Available Today from the Mac App Store
Powerful Image Editing App Gets Even Smarter with New Shape, Move and Paint Selection Tools
Today the Pixelmator Team released Pixelmator 2.2, a major update of the world’s most innovative, easy-to-use, fast and powerful image editing app. Pixelmator 2.2 Blueberry features new, easy-to-use Smart Shape, Move and Paint Selection Tools, and a new Light Leak effect for creating retro-artistically illuminated images. Pixelmator 2.2 Blueberry is available today as a free update from the Mac App Store.
“We’re excited to deliver even more, easy-to-use, advanced features to our Pixelmator fans and continue to create the best and most enjoyable image editing experience,” said Saulius Dailide of the Pixelmator Team. “With new state-of-the-art Smart Shape Tools, people can fully enhance their images, create logos, Web layouts, posters, and much more, all easier than ever before.”
Pixelmator 2.2 Blueberry comes with more than 100 new features and improvements, including:
Smart Shapes Tools, which let you quickly adjust a shape’s outline with easy-to-use controls to get just the look you’re after;
Shapes palette packed with dozens of readily available shapes that are as easy to add as dragging and dropping;
Shape Style palette, so you can effortlessly create more polished and advanced shapes;
Convert Text into Shape feature, which allows you easily apply gradients, shadows, strokes, or even reshape individual letters;
Smart Move Tool, which knows when you are working with image or shape layers and gives you the options you need at that time;
Paint Selection Tool, which is the simplest and the fastest way to make the most challenging selections with a few brush strokes;
Light Leak effect, which makes it easy and fun to create stunning, retro-artistically illuminated images from any of your photos.
Additional features include the new Color Popovers for quicker access to color swatches, new gradient presets, improved drawing tools, an improved Type Tool, the ability to copy and paste shape styles, and major performance improvements.
Pixelmator 2.2 is available from the Mac App Store at a promotional price of $29.99. For existing Pixelmator customers who purchased the app from the Mac App Store, the new update is free.
P.S. In addition to this awesome new major update we are also introducing a completely revamped Pixelmator Tutorials web site.
Fede M.
And it’s packed full of new lovely details! I like it! 🙂
Coen
Love it!
Marco
Awesome update! But still waiting for full-featured layer styles…
Marco
… and non-destructive filters. When you add those features I’ll be finally able to say goodbye to Photoshop.
DJ Porter
Is there a complete change log ?
Thanx, DJ
Myos
Génial !
Vous faites du super boulot, et cela ce ressens dans votre application. En tant qu’étudiant, il est bien plus abordable financièrement et en pratique, pour m’aider à améliorer mes photos, fabriquer des objets pour mes cours et effectuer un peu de manipulation. J’ai vraiment hâte de voir arriver (comme beaucoup de monde, ici) les styles de calques.
Merci pour votre travail et aussi pour votre philosophie.
Nick
This is great!
I love the update, the Light Leak makes magic with some photos!
Colin
“Hide/show all palettes” shortcut still not working ;(
Mark
To heck with these Pixelmator updates – where’s Flapcraft 2?!!?
🙂
Rob
Great looking update which ALMOST has me tempted to finally buy Pixelmator. But without non-destructive filters and full featured layer styles, like the new Acorn 4, I just can’t dedicate time to Pixelmator.
Cristobal
Hip, Hip…
Daniel
Hi!
Is it just me or doesn´t the gradiant tool work on text converted to shape? I do exactly like in your video, but can´t get it to work.
peter
what about those of us long time users that bought BEFORE the app store? I’d like a free upgrade too! I’ve recommend this software so many times. Help a friend out!
Ausra
@Daniel, you should place each character on a separate layer so that you can edit them individually. To do that, double-click the character and then press Command-Shift-D to duplicate it.
Ingmar
Great update. I love it. Playing around with all the new shape features.
Daniel
@Ausra Thank you! I am quite new to these kind of programs and really appreciate all the help I can get:)
Ausra
No problem, happy to help! 😉
Mikeintosh
I am really dissapointed. Devs promised to fix the resizng bug whitch causes images to blur. This bug makes Pixelmator almost useless and they aren’t able to deliver a simple fix? New features are nice but please, make this software USEFUL again!
Rocky
Thank You very much!! You guys do a great Job!! I can’t wait to go home and try it 🙂
Pixelmator Team
Mikeintosh, could you email us at support@pixelmator.com? We might have a solution.
Gary
WOW! ….
I have been trying out the new Paint Selection tool and am so impressed by it. It does a great job … much better than I could do manually.
Great update!
Charilaos
Thanks again and again and again!
Mikeintosh
@PixelmatorTeam sure, I hope we’ll resolve this. I want to love Pixelmator again.
David Rourke
The paint selection tool is really nice. I might now be able to switch from PS.
Thanks!
dave
Very disappointing release. Built for OS X and it doesn’t show, because no, gestures still aren’t supported. No option to change UI colour, can’t drag past the window edge. The shape UI is damn annoying, pops up a shape window which I have to manually close. To resize a selection I can’t just drag the edge but have to right click and choose Refine Selection, why? Weird how you have all these great things I love, but some of the basics are still lagging behind gimp. This frustrates me so much that I actually avoid doing any image editing. It’s a sad thing that I did more image editing with gimp on linux, then now on my shiny new os x machine.
Mariusz W?odarczyk
I am glad that you added shape layer effects like: stroke, glow, inner/outer shadow. Are you going to add the layer effects to pixel layers and text layers? It would be very useful.
Albert Kinng
That’s it! I’m ditching Photoshop now. WAY TO GO GUYS! Big round of applause! And it feels snappier too!
Jackster
As of 2:30pm on 5/9/13, attempts at updating in App Store are failing. Keep being directed to purchase page, but same result:”Pixemaltor failed to download, use the purchases page to try again.”
Johannes Jakob
Thank you for this very nice update!
Jack MeHoff
Some people love to complain about everything, as if programs should be designed just for their exact needs or else it sucks….
Arnout
Does anyone know how to enter this ‘vectormator’ mode? Thanks!
ikir
I love you
Mantas
@Arnout, cmd+shift+V
hamsta
Using Blueberry now on a project. Thanks to the Pixelmator lads for a great update!
Jasper Byrne
Very sad to see neither ‘Copy Merged…’ or ‘Nearest Neighbour resize’ have been implemented yet – without these two features I’m still stuck using PS, otherwise I’d be very happy to switch!
Stefan2861
Very nice update. Worked with it this evening and like the new shapes!
t.a. barnhart
holy carp. it’s like you were reading my mind about updates. the next text tools in particular (although i have to retrain myself on when to press T & V for editing). text-as-shape is something i have needed SO badly. thanks. i raved about PM on FB before i even tried 2.2. this is amazing software. thanks.
Joonas
Really nice update, congratulations for taking Pixelmator to a new level, again. Tools for making masking faster are always welcome and I like the new light leak filters! Still as others have said, you’re only getting professionals to turn away from “big brother” when you add adjustement layers. It’s the single most powerful feature in PS and I can only really start using Pixelmator when you add the feature. I’ve ofcourse bought Pixelmator already to support your developement and really look forward to your next update.
As a photographer I’d also like to see HDR tonemapper, non destructive filters, more focus on black and white fine tuning and natural film grain filters added on future updates, please? 😉
I am 100% sure Pixelmator will be the best in its class at some point, and now that Adobe is moving to subscription model you just got a lot of potential customers from the professionals.
thenewthing
What happened to the brush size being visible while drawing? It’s now just showing the mouse pointer instead and I can’t figure out how to change it.
Otherwise, a solid update.
gp
Thanx pixelmator team! We miss the complete changelog (http://support.pixelmator.com/updates)
James Rhodes
I’m so glad Pixelmator is fast becoming a Photoshop replacement for many people. With Adobe and their current subscription fiasco, Pixelmator should capitalise on this.
Cato
I love this update! It fixes all of my issues with Pixelmator, except one(the issue Mikeintosh had). I also struggle with the blurry resizing. Can’t you just post the solution here for everyone to see, kind Pixelmator team?
thenewthing
Brush size is not visible because I must have had caps lock on. Sorry for the confusion!
Awesome update!
Erik
What about those of us who got Pixelmator before the App Store?
Ronald
Looks like with only 20 more features in Pixelmator, another 10 Photoshop users will make the switch!
For those on a pre-App Store version, for only $14.99 you will be able to upgrade to 2.2.
Zaphodz
Congartulations on this cool update. I can now make selections from a path, one of the features holding me back from ditching PS. Can’t wait for layer styles, that will be the last nail in the coffin for Adobe (for me). The warp matrix would be nice, but I rarely use it. +1 for Joonas’ comment re photographers. Thanks for this update, looking forward to the next, I guess after you’ve had a well earnt beer 🙂
yoz-y
Thank you for the update!
However shapes still need to have proper align/distribute functions and it is also very important to be able to do boolean operations on shapes which are already created!
yoz-y
Oh and, transforming a smooth note to a sharp one should not reset the node. That way one could set the node as smooth and then fine-adjust as sharp.
msvar
LAYER STYLES ISONLY THING why i use phootoshop still. please could you get us feedback if when Layer style will be ready. Olson nondistractive filter for layer should be nice
Freelancelot
Ok, first of all, I’d like to say awesome work on what you’ve done already. So much goodness to this app and your philosophy in regards to pricing, customer experience, etc. Love that.
However…I’m a bit concerned about this release. I was really hoping that “layer styles” would actually mean something similar to what we already have from that “other” company (of which I will not utter their name here). All I see so far is gradient fill, stroke, shadow and inner shadow “shape styles” that can only be applied to shapes, not layers. Is that it?? Am I missing something here? If so, I apologize in advance. I sure hope this is just setting the groundwork for actual “layer styles”, which is an integral tool for web and print design for me. I was hoping to be able to apply layer styles to ANY layer with the same controls as the “other” company’s flagship product. Primarily, drop shadow, inner shadow, outer glow, inner glow, bevel and emboss, satin, color overlay, gradient overlay, pattern overlay and stroke. These are essential to any modern graphic designer to produce professional results quickly and efficiently. Although the same can be achieved without these, it’s a really slow inefficient workflow and not really practical.
As a user of the other company’s products since 1996, I’ve recently fell our of love with them because of their overpricing, twisted mentality and philosophy. I will not rent their software, either. I am the first one to applaud you guys for taking on “big brother” and hope to see the day when you beat them into submission and make them apologize for making their loyal user base suffer, haha. Keep up the great work and please add real layer styles in the next release [please, please, please]. I’d love to be able to introduce Pixelmator into my daily workflow.
PsykX
Layer Styles is partially implemented now, it’s off to a good start. I can’t wait to see what’s next.
The only thing that bothers me at this point is the interface. There’s too many windows floating around, something needs to be done about it.
Plus, the black interface still hasn’t been fixed. I can’t stay in Pixelmator for a long time.
Dick Brown
Hi, I’ve just downloaded the update and viewed the Tutorials. The Text-to-Shape does not allow me to select individual letters as shown in the Tutorial am I missing something?
Ausra
To play with each letter individually, you should select the letter and press the Command-Shift-D shortcut to place it on a separate layer. This step is skipped in the video However, at the end you can see that each letter is on a separate layer.
roxana
Layer styles please! 🙂
I love you guys, but please consider that for the next update
Justin
Thanks guys! I’m a long-time user and appreciate these updates. Slowly killing Photoshop one update at a time… (If you could add an airbrush tool that might be the nail in the coffin….)
Dorako
Fantastic update, demo’d the trial for a few days and hit buy. It might not be a full Photoshop replacement, but damn if it isn’t close.
However, when you have fully embraced the spirit of OS X, why not embrace the mac hardware too? You’ve got iSight integration damn-it, but no multi-touch gestures (pinch-to-zoom, rotation, changing layers/brush size/hardness)?
Will we ever get a public statement about this (e.g. “It’s in the works” or “Forget it”)?
SonOfTron
I know this was hard work AND it was quite good work.
I know you can’t hear this anymore.
But honestly guys:
Pixelmator will NEVER be a Photoshop killer without non-destructive layer styles and adjustment layers.
I am waiting for YEARS now and periodically look at your website if these features are already implemented.
No again, they are not.
Thousands of potential customers are waiting just for that.
You can do dozens of further updates without layer styles – and at one time or another this gets too frustrating to wait for.
PixelmatorTeam, could you please tell me at least, if this feature-set is planned?
I am not asking for an exact date.
hamsta
roxana, SonofTron and others, Pixelmator have already stated in a previous blog post that layer styles are coming in the update after Blueberry.
Tak
So you did delete my “negative” post then? I was only saying there are too many floating panels right now. Don’t you agree?
Lars
GREAT GREAT GREAT App.
Very Big Thanks
SonOfTron
Thank you hamsta. Where’s the source?
Paul
@SonOfTron
Where’s the source? This very blog from the Pixelmator team. Scroll down to Development Update where you see the BIG 2.2, and it’s in the text after that.
http://www.pixelmator.com/blog/
Roman
Guys, in next update you should add “History” feature like in Photoshop. It’s not comfortable to work without it. I want see my progress and undo any action anytime. Thanks.
Karel
I am a long time user of Pixelmator. How can I take benefit from new update now? I purchased my copy directly from you at the time when it was only the choice. Thank you
Ausra
@Karel, you can take advantage of current offer ($14.99) and update to Pixelmator 2 from the Mac App Store now.
Kareem
Great update. The smart shapes finally make vectors practically usable. I think it would be even better if we can alter shapes precisely with input fields. Like setting exact corner radius for a rounded rectangle.
Jose
Why pixelmator costs 14.99 USD and 13.99 Euro?
14.99 dollars are about 11.5 euro.
This is 20% more expensive, are taxes or you are a British company that penalize European buyers?
Tom Heim
Would love to ditch Photoshop due to the new subscription model. Unfortunately, until 16-bit image support (from start-to-end of the editing process) is implemented, Pixelmator is out of the running for me. That, and non-destructive workflow throughout.
I believe if you were to implement the above, you’d find a huge increase in sales!
PixieVirgin
Hi Pixelmators,
Im very new to pixelmator or any other software thats out there, I did use photoshop when i was younger.
But decided to buy pixelmator instead. I must say I have no regrets at all.
I do have a question its probably very silly because I think the answer is really simple I just can’t find it.
So I am trying out one of the latest features text to shape, and when I type a word i convert it into shape and can do all the thinks you show in the “ad movie ” LOL
But when I want to add a second text layer I can not convert the text into shape. I tried adding a empty layer in between but it still does not work.
Can anyone help me ???
with love,
PixieVirgin
Pixelmator Team
@pixievirgin, emails us at support@pixelmator.com for help!
Boutard
ESCROQUERIE
j’ai pris la version d’essais avant de l’acheter sur l’apple store car il est déclaré en français et surprise les menu sont en français
mais l’aide et les tutoriels sont en anglais pour un logiciel qui semble très bien mais difficile à utiliser sans aide
annoncer le français est une ESCROQUERIE
?????????
Hi! I downloaded the trial version pikselmatora, opened it, and he in Chinese or Japanese, I do not know what the characters tell me how to change the interface language to English, it is more than I know, tell me where to click on any character, or give a link where solve the same problem in youtube or somewhere else
Alessandro Leoni
Attempts at updating in App Store are failing to 2.2. Keep being directed to purchase page, but same result:”Pixemaltor failed to download, use the purchases page to try again.”
Gregor Erdmann
I have also been getting the failed to download issue. Any ideas anyone? I was hoping it was just a bandwidth issue etc but still no download 🙁
Hazelvue
Does this app include airbrush or something that will allow me to make my arms look skinnier in photos? I’m a beginner and am worried that this app is too advanced for me but I want the airbrush feature. Thanks!
Ausra
@ Hazelvue, Pixelmator has Liquify Tools that help to distort (or make slight adjustments to the appearance). Here’s quick video about them:
http://www.pixelmator.com/tutorials/new-and-noteworthy/liquify-tools/
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