Pixelmator 1.6.4 Is All about the Details

With the Mac App Store launch and the Pixelmator transition to it running at full throttle, we worked tirelessly for the last few days to finally bring Pixelmator 1.6.4 to everyone – not just the Mac App Store.

The update is clearly one of the most significant refinements we’ve ever made to Pixelmator, even though it is all about the details. In fact, you can think of it as massive enhancements and modernization of things in the app that are not visible at a first glance, but that are definitely felt once the app is brought into play.

Gradient Tool

The Gradient Tool has been revamped completely. For a combination of major performance improvements and high-quality smoothness (or dithering, which basically means no banding between colors), we had to do a complete rewrite of gradient kernels (the most low-level, foundational stuff of the gradient engine). We think we’ve got the world’s best Gradient Tool – very high quality, very fast, and alive, since you see the results instantly when drawing a gradient with the Gradient Tool.

In addition to all of the Gradient Tool improvements, Pixelmator has introduced a new collection of gradient presets in the gradients palette and gradient sharing.

Gradient Sharing

This one is very cool. Sharing gradients in Pixelmator is as simple as dragging and dropping them from the gradients palette onto your desktop, and vice versa. Even more, the exported gradients icon shows a preview of the exported gradient. We created a special Quick Look plug-in (built into Pixelmator) for this purpose – a detail that is a lot of fun.

Selection Tools

We also did a complete revamp of all the selection tools in Pixelmator: Magic Wand, Lasso, Polygonal Lasso, Rectangular Marquee, and Elliptical Marquee.

In addition to major (I mean it) performance improvements for the selection tools, a great deal of attention was paid to the details… lots of details. A few examples:

• When you start moving the selection around, the selection border dissolves until you release your mouse. It helps you to clearly see where you are about to place the selection.
• The selection border also dissolves when you add an adjustment or filter onto it for a better preview of the final result.
• By pressing the Space key on your keyboard you can now temporarily switch to the Hand Tool whenever you like when drawing a selection with the Polygonal Lasso Tool.
• Shift-click with the Polygonal Lasso Tool to draw a selection border every 45˚.
• Command-press when drawing a selection with Polygonal Lasso will show you a preview of a closed selection and, with the Command key still pressed, you can close it (the selection) with a single mouse-click.
• All the selection tools now have the intersect mode, which basically does what it says: allows intersecting selections with each other.

Oh, and the click-and-drag-technology-based Magic Wand Tool is very, very fast now.

Although I am not saying that we already have a complete package of selection tools, I am very confident that those that we have now are the very best selection tools in the world. We will continue to add more of them in the future.

JPEG Turbo

Pixelmator 1.6.4 is first in the world to add a new JPEG compression/decompression engine, called the libjpeg-turbo. JPEG Turbo, as we named it, brings 2x faster JPEG compression via Pixelmator’s Export for Web feature. Remember, Pixelmator has a real-time preview for optimizing images or slices for the Web, so JPEG Turbo makes that preview even more instant.

Refine Selection

Three months’ worth of scientific-caliber research and development went into the new Refine Selection tool. Refine Selection delivers quality results when enhancing your selection borders, whether that be smoothing, feathering or resizing. A noteworthy ease-of-use of the Refine Selection tool in Pixelmator remains exactly the same as before.

Tutorials

In addition to a wonderful update, we’ve got some supplements for you to play with – new and inspiring Pixelmator tutorials covering Lasso, Polygonal Lasso, Magic Wand, Marquee Selection Tools, and a Gradient Tool.

Users who purchased Pixelmator through the Mac App Store are already using Pixelmator version 1.6.4, while non-Mac App Store Pixelmator users can get version 1.6.4 from our website or through Pixelmator’s built-in software update.

Those of you who haven’t yet picked up your copy of Pixelmator can download a trial on our website or, if desired, purchase the complete app from the Mac App Store.

Thank you so much for using Pixelmator. We really hope you will enjoy using version 1.6.4 as much as we enjoyed creating it.

Tuesday, 11 January 2011. Posted by Saulius.

29 Comments

The Mac App Store Transition FAQ

The Mac App Store is an absolute hit. What’s even more, Pixelmator is an absolute hit on the Mac App Store. We couldn’t be happier about it. I’ll tell you more about that a bit later.

For now, since the Mac App Store is a new and a very big thing, there is some confusion about it. Let me try to clarify things by answering some questions about the recently launched Pixelmator transition to the Mac App Store:

If you own a non-Mac App Store Pixelmator license:

1. What is the Mac App Store transition?

It is a great, limited time offer to purchase Pixelmator at the Mac App Store for the reduced price of $29 and get the Pixelmator 2.0 upgrade for free later this year.

2. Why did you do the transition?

We think it is not fair that our existing customers would be charged the full $59 price again in order for them to use Pixelmator with the Mac App Store. Instead, we decided to help our existing customers to transition to the Mac App Store by lowering the price to $29 for a limited time and sweeten the transition with a free Pixelmator 2.0 upgrade.

We had to post the offer for everyone, not just our existing customers, because there is no way to distinguish between new and existing customers on the Mac App Store.

In addition, we think that the Mac App Store is the future of software sales and distribution, and we think it’s great.

3. Do I have to buy Pixelmator from the Mac App Store again to continue using it?

No. You can continue using Pixelmator without having to purchase it again from the Mac App Store.

4. Do I have to buy Pixelmator from the Mac App Store again to get free 1.X updates?

No. You will be getting free updates until Pixelmator 2.0 becomes available.

5. I want to switch to the Mac App Store. Do I have to buy Pixelmator from the Mac App Store again?

Yes, but only if you want to enjoy the benefits of the Mac App Store and get a Pixelmator 2.0 upgrade for free as an extra for transitioning to the Mac App Store.

6. Why can’t I just convert my Pixelmator license to the Mac App Store for free?

Unfortunately, there is no way to convert our existing customers to the Mac App Store.

7. The Mac App Store shows some software apps from other Mac developer companies as “Installed” while Pixelmator doesn’t show as “Installed.” Why?

The “Installed” app state, unless you purchase from the Mac App Store, doesn’t count as a Mac App Store purchase and, because of that, you won’t be able to enjoy the Mac App Store benefits. You will not get application updates through the Mac App Store, for example. This is how the Mac App Store works, and we can’t do anything about it.

The folks at Bare Bones Software have an in-depth explanation of the same issue.

8. Why would I want to purchase Pixelmator again from the Mac App Store?

You will be able to enjoy all the Mac App Store benefits and get a free Pixelmator 2.0 upgrade when it comes out later this year at the Mac App Store.

9. Will Pixelmator 2.0 be a Mac App Store-only purchase?

Yes.

10. Why will Pixelmator 2.0 be a Mac App Store-only purchase?

We think it is the best way to purchase and install software on a Mac. Also, instead of worrying about how to reach our customers or manage a web store, we will finally be able to focus completely on Pixelmator improvements, quality, and new features.

Other benefits of being in the Mac App Store include the fact that we won’t need to spend time and energy developing our own update systems, web store shelves, licensing systems, anti-piracy measures, and other things like that.

We are good at creating the best Mac apps – and should do only that.

11. Will Pixelmator 2.0 cost more than $29 once it is out?

Yes. It will definitely cost more than it does now.

12. The Mac App Store Pixelmator listing shows version 1.6.4 as current with some new features, whereas your website version lists 1.6.2. Does that mean that, even if I already own a non-Mac App Store Pixelmator, I have to purchase it on the Mac App Store to get the 1.6.4 update?

No. You will be getting all future 1.X updates simultaneously from both our website and the Mac App Store.

As for the 1.6.4 update on our website, we’ve been extremely busy working on the transition because the Mac App Store was released earlier than we expected. Pixelmator 1.6.4 is scheduled for a public, non-Mac App Store release next week.

13. I own more than one Mac – Do I have to purchase additional copies of Pixelmator at the Mac App Store to use it on my other Macs?

After you purchase Pixelmator at the Mac App Store, you can install it free of charge on every Mac you use.

14. Why is there so much confusion about the transition then?

Some other applications were recognized as “Installed” apps (see the answer to this question above) on the Mac App Store, and our customers thought that we are the only ones who are charging for the application again even if they purchased the app before the Mac App Store launched, but that is not true: we not only lowered our Mac App Store price for our existing customers but we’ve also practically given away the 2.0 upgrade. The majority of other developers do not offer any transition at all – you have to re-purchase applications for the full or a slightly lower price.

•

If you’ve just purchased Pixelmator from the Mac App Store:

Will I be getting the Pixelmator 2.0 upgrade (including 1.X and 2.X updates) for free once 2.0 is out on the Mac App Store later this year?

Yes.

•

Other:

If I have some more questions about the transition, what should I do?

Feel free to simply drop us an e-mail message at info@pixelmator.com.

If you have any concerns regarding the Mac App Store, please visit the Mac App Store support website for more information at www.apple.com/support/mac/app-store/.

 

Saturday, 8 January 2011. Posted by Saulius.

167 Comments

Transition to the Mac App Store

We are right there on the Mac App Store! Woohoo!

What’s even more is that we just announced something very cool in celebration of the launch of the Mac App Store. We call it the “Pixelmator Transition to the Mac App Store”.

The transition basically means that if you buy Pixelmator on the Mac App Store now for only $29, you will get the totally awesome Pixelmator 2.0 for free once it is out on the Mac App Store later this year.

Yup, that’s true, and yup, it is totally worth it.

I told you many times that we believe that the Mac App Store is a future of software distribution and sales, that it is going to be an absolute hit and, of course, that we are very excited to be a part of it.

And, since there are so many benefits for everyone, we are fully committed to supporting the Mac App Store. We plan to completely move Pixelmator sales and distribution to the Mac App Store as soon as possible.

Therefore, now is the perfect time for you to click this button:

P.S. Even if you decide not to move to the Mac App Store, we will continue to provide you with free Pixelmator 1.X updates until version 2.0, just as promised.

P.P.S. Oh, and to be sure everything is clear – there is no way of transitioning Mac apps to the Mac App Store for free as of yet. If there was such a way, we would have definitely give it for free to our registered customers. That’s why we are reducing price and giving Pixelmator 2.0 for free once it is out.

P.P.P.S. Look at the bottom of the “Panic on the Mac App Store” article about the update policy. Everyone has that issue: http://www.panic.com/blog/2011/01/panic-on-the-mac-app-store/

Thursday, 6 January 2011. Posted by Saulius.

264 Comments

Pixelmator Development Update

I know you love these Pixelmator development updates. I wish I could do these more often and reveal everything that the Pixelmator Team is up to, but since we love to surprise and delight you, I hope you’ll forgive me for not being too open about things.

Anyway, let me give you at least a tiny sneak peak at what we are up to these days.

First of all, I must tell you that I am so freaking happy about the Pixelmator 1.6 Nucleus that has been out for a few months now. I really wish every single Pixelmator update was like that—high-quality, very successful in terms of sales, and very much enjoyed by customers. It’s simply awesome! If you don’t have it yet, you should get it.

Secondly, it is not a secret that the Pixelmator Team is always doing an enormous amount of work (yep, we always do). Currently (for almost two years now), we are working on significant improvements to the existing fundamental features of Pixelmator (in other words, we are improving quality):

• Selection tools are about to see the biggest update since version 1.0. We did a complete modernization of all of the selection tools. The Rectangular Marquee, Elliptical Marquee, Lasso, Polygonal Lasso, and the magical (since it is a click-and-drag tool) Magic Wand are to become not only much faster, but also much more precise. Selection tools are currently in test mode, and I must say, I enjoy them very much.
• Another tool which is receiving a huge quality and performance improvement is the Gradient tool. In addition to that damn banding issue being gone and increased performance, new Gradients look extremely smooth and high-quality. I greatly enjoy this type of development achievements. We also built some new Gradient types (reflected and diamond), but aren’t going to officially release those yet (or ever?).
• The Crop tool is also getting some very nice improvements in terms of performance and usability.
• There is definitely some more very cool stuff that is also in the works that, as usually, I can’t talk about just yet.

The reign of these amazing updates is coming soon (before the end of this year). I hope you get the idea of where Pixelmator is heading. You will sleep better knowing that every single part of the app is being modernized and polished and some very cool new features are on the way. I can’t wait to show those to you. We are working extremely hard to bring you the best image editing app in the world. We are almost done with those basic features…

P.S. Oh, and we are also very much aware that our Type tool sucks. Just stay tuned.

Wednesday, 1 December 2010. Posted by Saulius.

64 Comments

Our Web Store

The Mac App Store is on its way, and once it is out we hope we won’t need to worry about the selling and distribution of Pixelmator to Mac users anymore. However, we still care about our own web store (we think we will keep it for special buyers such as educational institutions, businesses, etc.).

The recent news about our Web store is that we have just moved from an eSellerate- to a FastSpring-based Web store. Even though eSellerate served us extremely well in the past, we are very excited to transition to FastSpring due to FastSpring’s more modern look and feel, and its being more Mac friendly. Here is the difference so far:

Thanks to FastSpring’s taking great care of us, we have a much easier-to-use Web store—a store that should have been in place years ago. What’s more, we are still working with them to make it even simpler.

So if you are a third-party Mac developer, FastSpring is highly recommended as an addition to the forthcoming Mac App Store or as a main web store for those of you not bringing your apps to the Mac App Store (are you crazy?).

By the way, The Beatles are now on iTunes and iOS 4.2 is out!

Tuesday, 23 November 2010. Posted by Saulius.

9 Comments

Some More Interior Stuff

We love our office very much—truly a very creative place to work. But it looks like it’s not only we who appreciate the Pixelmator Team office. Latest to enjoy the office is our good friend Fabio Sasso at the Abduzeedo.

Thursday, 18 November 2010. Posted by Saulius.

10 Comments

Interview, iOffice, and More

I just love giving interviews—especially when they ask interesting questions. I recently had an honest interview by the Mac.AppStorm crew. I talked about the Pixelmator Team, the things we do, what we use, and stuff like that. I also revealed the code name of the next major update of Pixelmator, and Mac.AppStorm took a sneak peek at our iOffice.

The article with the interview is available at Mac.AppStorm. Enjoy!

Tuesday, 9 November 2010. Posted by Saulius.

5 Comments

Little Things

In a geek world, little things matter. For us—we are Mac geeks, right?!—things matter especially if they come from (or at least are somehow related to) Apple.

Little things that were delivered to the Pixelmator Team Factory this week:

Love all that cheerful stuff.

Wednesday, 3 November 2010. Posted by Saulius.

11 Comments

The Mac App Store

You’ve surely heard of that new Mac App Store coming very soon to Macs near you. It’s a new way for us (developers) to distribute and for you (users) to discover, install, and update all those great Mac OS X apps we create.

All the crew at the Pixelmator Team is very excited about the new Mac App Store, as users and, especially, as developers. I believe (and it’s not just me) that the Mac App Store is going to be an absolute hit.

Specifically for us, the good thing is that once we are in the Store, we will finally be able to focus completely on Pixelmator improvements, quality, and new features instead of worrying about how to reach our customers (we need as many customers as possible to continue or even boost our innovation march), build the best website, or manage a Web store. We would be very happy to be able to simply focus on creating the best image editor for the Mac.

Other benefits of being in the Mac App Store include the fact that we won’t need to spend time and energy developing our own update systems (though I really do like our software update), Web store shelves, licensing systems, anti-piracy measures, and other things like that. We are good at creating the best Mac apps – and should do only that.

So, I just wanted to clearly state that the Pixelmator Team is very excited about and will totally support the new Mac App Store. Pixelmator will definitely be there.

Monday, 25 October 2010. Posted by Saulius.

69 Comments

Pixelmator in Steve Jobs Keynote

I am sure you watched Steve Jobs’s “Back to the Mac” keynote yesterday. It was very nice, wasn’t it? Each of them—iLife ’11, FaceTime, the Mac App Store, Mac OS X Lion (where is the version number, anyone?), and MacBook Air—are all just so awesome.

However, there was one tiny detail that directly relates to us. I am not sure if you noticed, but Pixelmator was one of the few apps that made it into the Steve Jobs keynote! Yay!


Actually it was visible multiple times in the keynote: a few times in the Mac OS X Lion screenshots when Steve spoke about the Launchpad as well as in the Craig Federighi (the guy who presented the demo of the Mac OS X Lion features) slides.

Having the Pixelmator icon in Steve Jobs’s keynote is something we dreamed of for years (see how fragile we are?). And once it finally made it there, it feels so great … so inspiring; it’s definitely a huge bonus reward for our hard work.

Also, kudos to the developers of Coda, Delicious Library, Tweetie, OmniGraffle and OmniOutliner, NetNewsWire, and, of course, Courier for also making it into the keynote. Everyone aforementioned is so worth it.

Thursday, 21 October 2010. Posted by Saulius.

27 Comments