August 9, 2012
Pixelmator Adds Support for OS X Mountain Lion
Major Update Adds iCloud Support, Effects Browser, Vintage and Miniaturize Effects and Smart Alignment Guides
The Pixelmator Team today released a major update of Pixelmator, its inspiring, easy-to-use and feature-packed image editing software for the Mac. Designed to take full advantage of OS X Mountain Lion and the new MacBook Pro with Retina display, Pixelmator 2.1 adds support for iCloud, a new Effects Browser with new Vintage and Miniaturize effects, smart Alignment Guides and several other enhancements.
“Pixelmator continues to be a big hit among both professional and amateur image editors, and we’re thrilled to deliver even more features at a very affordable price,” said Saulius Dailide of the Pixelmator Team. “With support for Mountain Lion, iCloud and the new Retina display, Pixelmator 2.1 is ideal for Mac users looking to tap into their creativity with a full-featured, easy-to-use image editing app.”
The new Effects Browser takes the guesswork out of selecting effects by collecting, organizing and providing an animated preview of all of Pixelmator’s Color Adjustments, Blur, Distortion, Tile and dozens of other effects, together in one helpful palette. Users can also use the browser to tag and access Favorites in one place.
Pixelmator 2.1 also introduces several brand new effects, including the Vintage, Miniaturize, Black and White, Snow and Rain effects. With the Vintage effect, users get eight new photo filters that give pictures the look of old image processing and bring to mind photos from other eras. Meanwhile, the Miniaturize effect makes real-world scenes appear scaled down to size with a few clicks. It’s an optical illusion that gives ordinary objects in photos the endearing look of a toy model only inches tall.
Building precisely aligned image compositions is now short work in Pixelmator 2.1, with the new smart Alignment Guides. This new feature lets users position objects with pinpoint accuracy and build compositions quickly by using individual objects or image elements. The Alignment Guides gracefully appear and disappear onscreen as they are needed, while Object Spacing automatically shows when objects are equally spaced on the canvas.
In addition to full compatibility with OS X Mountain Lion, Pixelmator 2.1 comes with iCloud support, which automatically and effortlessly keeps Pixelmator work up to date across all of a user’s Macs; as well, complete Retina display support lets users fully enjoy image editing using Pixelmator on the new MacBook Pro with Retina display.
Pixelmator 2.1 is available exclusively from the Mac App Store for a limited-time price of $14.99—a substantial savings off the usual price of $59. It is also available as a free update for existing users.
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Jono
Whoop whoop!
This is a huge update! thanks… Maybe some day we will have layer styles?
G-Dog
Wooo! Awesome work – just downloaded the update from the App store. You guys rock, phenomenal job!
Kesskisspass
Smart alignment guides is really really useful. Excellent !
Emanuele
Great, folks! The effect browser looks way better than I thought, it really helps choosing the right effect.
Also looking forward to test the new Miniaturize effect. Must be great.
There is still no layers lock, though, which is a pity. Is it that tough to achieve?
Thanks anyway, you guys rock!
Valon
Love it!!
Duffman
“Pixelmator continues to be a big hit among both professional and amateur image editors, and we’re thrilled to deliver even more features at a very affordable price,” said Saulius Dailide of the Pixelmator Team.
LOL ! You interview your own member of YOUR team to create a success story.
Still waiting to see real professional use PM…
Saulius Dailide
Thank you guys! Everyone in the team is glad you like it. Worked really really hard on this. There are also many other invisible improvements in 2.1.
P.S. As for the feature requests, we want you to know that we are listening. It’s just that some things are delayed and not ready to be shipped because we aren’t happy about them yet.
angryeddy
What a update! I feel so bad for only paid $15!
Everything looks fabulous on rMBP and the smart alignment is make my life much easier.
Ralf
Do we have tiff 16bit import/export support now?
PsykX
As I always said, what’s implemented already in Pixelmator is implemented like a pro. It makes it a genuine Mac-only App. What’s not there though, is a little bit shameful for the time being (the lack of layer styles will always haunt the most addicted Pixelmator users).
Stefano
No Italian language yet? 🙁
A “Major Update” should contain the Italian language…
Will it arrive or version 2.xx won’t ever have the italian language at all?
🙁
edwood
Filters? really? the same filters we have since 1990 in photoshop and today almost nobody use?
why waste your time on a filters gallery for users so noob that don’t know what is Pointillize and need an animation?
we need liquify AND advanced layers for non destructive editing! (at least I need)
it would be nice to have panorama stitching, no tiny world effect.
and layer styles and the desaparecido second color box!
I have the impression Pixelmator is chasing Camerabag, not Photoshop.
R
Looks like an amazing update so far. Two gripes though:
It’s disappointing there’s still no support for multi-touch gestures for those of us who use a (Magic) Trackpad as well.
Personally I’m also dying to see an option to change the interface to Silver/default Aqua. Having everything black is a bit jarring. I’ve seen/heard quite a few others mention this as well. I fully understand the black is supposed to help you focus on the content, but default Aqua can be much easier on the eyes.
Keep up the good work!
Vincenzo
Updated!
Amazing guys! Nice work 😉
BenB
As an FCP X user (and trainer) I highly recommend Pixelmator over PS for so many reasons. This update makes it even better. If you’re an FCP X users, the interface is super familiar. Especially the new effects browser. Keep up the GREAT
willduo
Piexelmator goes from strength to strength – just got to keep ease of use at the forefront. PShop is now so fully featured you can age a user by how he works with the application! So glad I held faith with you guys.
Luke
@edwood Maybe they’re not chasing photoshop. Photoshop is a $700 professional program. Maybe you should let them be Pixelmator and be ok with that. I’m am. If you need the capabilities of photoshop, just go use photoshop and stop complaining.
Peter
Please add default Light Aqua theme into Pixelmator. Can’t work with Pixelmator on a glossy MacBook display for a long time. It will be better if it is like iPhoto, but black is awful.
Hadi
Link to the image opened in Pixelmator?
Chris
It’s ridiculous that this still doesn’t have a way of seeing the foreground/background colors all the time.
john
do you have any plan for porting pixelmator to windows?
John T
@ John: You are kidding right? The whole point of this app’s awesomeness is that it can be custom tailored to the platform. If they ported it to Windows it would be just another image editing tool.
Anyway, guys I’m a longtime Adobe CS user who started looking around after getting a Retina Macbook and realizing Adobe wasn’t going to give a timeline around a retina update. I have only just started using Pixelmator today but wow…I’m really hoping it can totally replace Photoshop in my workflow and so far I see no reason why it can’t. I feel terrible paying only $16 for this app…I would have honestly spent 10x as much easy for such an amazingly well designed tool.
I will make sure to convert over as many people as I can and thanks for building this!
pwfletcher
Just bought it … looks great on my rMBP 😉
PsykX
@john : To give you a brief answer, this App relies on so many OS X-only technologies, it would be impossible to port it over Windows. Making good use of the built-in OS APIs is what makes Pixelmator so great.
Gepard
I’m a bit disappointed about the Effects browser. The previews are quite small an my 27″ iMac and a lot of Effect names are truncated so it’s hard to get them (German). It would be nice to be able to resize the thumbnails.
Much more disappointing is the loss of menu commands. So I can’t use the help search anymore. I know about the search in the browser, but there’s no keyboard shortcut for that. Speaking of keyboard shortcuts, with the loss of the menu commands I can’t assign keyboard shortcuts to often used effects anymore.
Feels like a downgrade.
R
I can still access Help search with cmd + ? just like in every other app.
hamsta
Just returned from playing some basketball and WHAM! A new Pixelmator! Thanks team P. Now off to download. 🙂 🙂 🙂
pwfletcher
I bought Pixelmator today because Photoshop CS6 looks so crappy on my rMBP that it is almost unusable. I just took some full res test shots with my Nikon D800 + Nikon 105mm f/2 DC Portrait Lens and have to say I am completely floored by how much better the images look in Pixelmator compared to Photoshop. I am sure that eventually Adobe will upgrade their software to work with the retina display, but right now they aren’t even in the ballpark of PM 2.1. Just sayin’ …
Mechmess
I really was excited by the update but instantly became disappointed. The new effects browser is really nice but my workflow was really thrown by the removal of menu commands. Why remove all of the commands from the menu bar when users have been taught to use it? I would happily use the effects browser if it weren’t the ONLY way to access many tools.
This really has made Pixelmator HARDER to use :/
Onur
Stunning additions to it’s features. So, can we have Layer styles next, please please?
Pawe? Kata
Love the update. Especially the alignment guides! Thanks 🙂
Torkjell Midtgaard
Now that Pixelmator has iCloud support, it would be great to have Pixelmotor on the iPad too. from what I`ve learned, the Pixelmator Team do know quite a bit about app creation for the iOS-plattform!
JustMe
Hey, great to see an update.
Maybe I am blind, but where is the ‘Mask Alpha Channel” Filter, was it removed?
JustMe
Also it seems you can’t set shortcuts from the preferences anymore (may be a BUG)
Inverting a selection now I always have to go to the menu, really tiring.
Drew
Simply stunning!
Great work guys glad i support this team!
M
Nice update. TBH, the real reason I’m here is to ask if that flower picture in the preview is available as a desktop background. It looks awesome.
Jean-Marc
Loving the new update. Like many people have already mentioned though, the biggest thing holding me back from using it day-to-day is the lack of layer styles. Being able to add gradients on shapes would be a huge plus as well.
DS
Just wanted to ask exactly what date this reduced price is on for?
In the UK Mac App Store it’s currently £10.49. I want to get the app, but am waiting to get my new laptop as Apple will give me a student gift card for the App Stores.
Thanks.
hamsta
@ JustMe – Once you make a selection, you can press the option key & right click and a menu will appear under your cursor. Choose inverse selection from it
Stefan
To me Pixelmator is useless because Pixelmator insist that cropping an image is something different then resizing an image. It doubles the workflow, I have to both crop AND resize. In Photoshop it’s done in one cut – and if I want to crop and NOT resize, I just pick a crop without proportions. Yes, as simple as that! In the latest update to Pixelmator, a crop bug has reappeared: the custom crop setting does not work, and the workflow of cropping AND resizing remains. Why? Because Pixelmator wants to change what is a standard workflow and force-teach everybody that cropping and resizing must be two different things. Because the ease of cropping/resizing is such an essential part of my image editing I have to stick with Photoshop. Too bad, I would love to go the native Mac way 🙁
Ingmar
What happened to the great performance of Pixelmator? Spinning beach ball all the time!
Nick
Like some of the people before me I’d also like to request the option for regular silver windows instead of the black. It would greatly improve my Pixelmator experience. Otherwise great update.
JustMe
Thanks hamsta. Still, in past versions I could assign keyboard shortcuts like in every other Mac app through System Preferences -> Keyboard -> Shortcuts. I consider this to be a bug.
@Ingmar: I noticed this too, the snapiness of pm seems to slowly fade away as the feature list increases.
Also, the I am desperatly trying to find a replacement for the ‘Mask Alpha Channel” Filter which was available in the color filter menu before (I know of workarounds but they are not that simple and don’t give that good results).
I don’t want to be all negative, it’s still a great app, I am just not happy with many decisions made in the past versions.
Graig
I agree with the two three other people here regarding the “Mask to Alpha” filter. Why on earth deleting filters and don’t tell about it up front? I use that filter a lot to paste images into layer masks. And the workaround suggested on the forums comes close but it is not the same. For crying out loud there is an effects/filter browser now! Filters are easier to find, so no need to go and delete filters that people have come to rely on. This also makes me wonder about the teams Image Editing knowledge. At least I’m certain there are no image editing people in your beta-testing team.. if you beta-test at all that is.
David Shaw
I really like the app. It’s a real bargain, and it meets most of my needs. With that said, I really miss the Layer effects in Photoshop. I miss the dynamic Drop Shadow layer effects, and others like bezeling and doing add/subtract/multiply, and layer masking.
What’s there is great though. I look forward to future updates.
Asecon
Updated!!! My favorite: Love this effects brower feature!!
Thanks guys! Keep it up! 🙂
phil_0203
Pixemator was much better before this update was published ! Now it is slower and the filter settings in the main bar were much better then the effect browser now ! It doesn’t looks professional !
Ok. All in all the effect browser will become a habit. But please release an update to make pixelmator faster 🙂
Don’t think i hate this app. I love it !!!! But this update was a really big change.
PsykX
@phil_0203 : Have you tried Final Cut Pro X ? It has the same effects browser. The Pixelmator team mimic’ed it, and I would have done the same thing. It’s gorgeous.
Garrett McGilvray
I was really looking forward to the new effects browser, but not at the expense of the menu items. The effects browser is a great ADDITION, but a lousy REPLACEMENT. I look forward to the update to fix this. Also, the effects browser would be nice if larger thumbnails are possible. I find it hard to see.
edwood
this update make me think it’s like when you have a dinner to prepare and you still have to make most of the main courses but you loose time with cupcake decorations.
I really want to use this software but right now too many things are missing in my workflow, I wish they will add PRO features (that should be there from the start) at a faster pace.
by the way, this page on iphone/ipad is almost impossible to read
Markz
Hmmm… Nice “toy” features that will please the consumer end of PM users. Still really need effects layers and the ability to make selections from vector paths and to save vector paths to become a PS replacement for (my) pro work in my view. I love using PM when I can, but it just doesn’t have a full pro feature set yet. Oh well, more waiting I guess. Would be nice to be able to change the background from black to a mid grey or white for working on dark images i.e. rock concert pics etc.
Sahid
Hi.
Pixelmator is a great software, I liked at the first use.
But this update for me was a downgrade. I explain:
The second color option is vanished, keyboard shorcuts too. The effects window is good, but delete the filters menu have no reason. And talking about the filters, why simplified and changes names? Really i spend 14 minutes searching the Stripes filter, now named Bars, again no reason. Some filters have missed options, like the angle or size, and that’s make the software less pro, like I see of course.
Please update Pixelmator, put again the second color option (in the tools bar), make the filters more configurable.
Thank you for youre time and make a great software.
offredo
Hi? i would like to know why i can replace colorizes, ’cause i just to download it on apple store and this is like much more things that i cannot make because in my browser image i just seven choices that’s it. please help me because i’m being pissed 🙂 thanks guys
FoxTC
When is the price going back up, I’m currently trialling this software, I’m worried it’ll go up while I’m in my trial period?
JustMe
@FoxTC: Then buy it right now. There is no reason not to do so if you want to purchase it after the trial version expired.
All in all I think the Pixelmator Team is doing a great job. The newly added features are top notch, like everything else the PM team does (so why remove features??)
It’s true that since the last update PM has become slower (for me) but I am sure they are going to fix that.
What I am not really sure about is why they removed some features (like keyboard shortcuts through system preferences, filters, etc.).
Richey
Thank you for the update!
Last thing I am waiting for is photoshop-like “Layer-Settings” to create editable effects for layers.
Cheers 🙂
Cesar Carlevarino
Just one question how can i save my files into icloud???
hamsta
Cesar – Make sure you go to system prefs and sign in to iCloud. Now, when you go to save in Pixelmator, one of the menu items should show a cloud icon named iCloud. Hope that helps.
Michael H. Gerloff
Help! Can I have my good old Pixelmator back, please? Do not find any stuff I used for ages like Brightness/Contrast or the effects in the bar. I dont care for shiny effect icons – I want to find it at once just by the word.
Please, please, please: Any chance for me to go back to the old navigation? Thx, Michael
JohnyTheRevelator
@Michael H. Gerloff No
Eddie Robinson
Do you have a user guide/manual that I could purchase.
I have your software installed on my minimal using mountain lion.
Most grateful
Eddie
ChrisM
If you’re trying to pick up Photoshop users, as I am, then epic fail – sorry. Bring back the menu-driven effects and filters. There was no reason to delete these, in fact it is completely dumb of you. Great app otherwise.
Jorn S
I just bought Pixelmator 2.1. I like the program, but as soon as I start using layers everything slows down. Most of the time, I see only the color wheel (pinwheeler) . All other programs work perfectly. I have Mountain Lion installed on iMac. Is this the reason! Will it be corrected within a short time? I am very disappointed that the program did not function properly and the complete lack of response to this problem, which I can understand many agree? I have a lot of patience, but do not understand the lack of reaksion from Pixelmator, if there is a problem? I would like an answer.
Gordon
Like v2.1, please add the ability to specify a width and/or height values upon Save for the Web export. Using Image Size is not good.
A web professional wanting to migrate from PS,
When is v2.2 coming?
Yusuf de Bruijn
Sorry, I have not been able to get Pixelmator to work since updating to Mountain Lion. As a webdesigner, I rely on software that works… even after the update, Pixelmator keeps crashing. I am now trying Adobe Photoshop Elements 10.
Adrian
I’m on trial right now and experiencing heavy slowdowns on a retina macbook 2.6. Cropping a CR2 file down is instant, reverting the changes a second later takes about 24 seconds to undo the changes. Thats just the first thing i noticed after the first 2 minutes of usage.
Joe Libby
Since upgrading to Mountain Lion I have experienced severe slowdowns, random freezes, crashes and overall instability issues, even after upgrading to Pixelmator 2.1.
Mac Mini 2.4 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo, 8 GB 1067 MHz DDR3 RAM
MobilDonanim
i bought version 2.1. your work is very well.
Carol Roberts
I see this is for Mountain Lion, but will it run on OS 10.6.8 in particular?
P.S. This white-on-black screen is very hard to read.
Carol Roberts
Never mind. I found the answer, which is no.
Kocaeli haber
What happened to the great performance of Pixelmator? Spinning beach ball all the time!
Kocaeli haber
“Pixelmator continues to be a big hit among both professional and amateur image editors, and we’re thrilled to deliver even more features at a very affordable price,” said Saulius Dailide of the Pixelmator Team.
LOL ! You interview your own member of YOUR team to create a success story.
Still waiting to see real professional use PM… http://www.kocaeliajans.com
eski?ehir haber
I see this is for Mountain Lion, but will it run on OS 10.6.8 in particular?
P.S. This white-on-black screen is very hard to read. https://www.eskisehirhaber26.com