The Bottom Line
Pixelmator is a welcome offering in a limited field of Mac compatible photo editing programs. With powerful tools like layers and color levels, Pixelmator is a great budget-friendly option for cost conscious hobbyist photographers.
Pros
- Powerful Tools at a Low Cost
- Frequent Free Updates
- Layers Capable
- iPhoto Compatibility
- Graphics Tablet Support
Cons
- For Mac Only
- Can Be Memory Intensive
Description
- Layers capable photo editing program
- Handles multiple file types including JPEG, DF, PNG, and TIFF
- Floating menu and full screen views available
Guide Review - Review of Pixelmator for Mac
Pixelmator for Mac is a photo editing program from Smith Micro.
Pixelmator is a Mac only program that is a welcome addition to the limited field of budget-friendly photo editing programs available for the Mac platform. With strong tools such as layers, color curves, unsharp mask, and a good variety of filters Pixelmator is a work horse program at an affordable ($59 suggested retail) price.
Many of the features are reminiscent of industry goliath Adobe Photoshop/Photoshop Elements. However, Pixelmator pulls it off without being "just another copy." Menus are generally intuitive enough that most standard photo editing can be handled without ever reading a single page of a manual. Color corrections are super simple with a few click and drag motions on the color curves. Exposure is quick and easy with levels as well. Crop is simple but without some of the preset sizes photographers often rely on for speed. However, the rule of thirds guide on crop is a nice surprise.
Overall Pixelmator delivers a very nice selection of everyday photo editing tools that will handle the vast majority, if not all, of the photo editing needs of hobbyist photographers.
Pixelmator is a Mac only program that is a welcome addition to the limited field of budget-friendly photo editing programs available for the Mac platform. With strong tools such as layers, color curves, unsharp mask, and a good variety of filters Pixelmator is a work horse program at an affordable ($59 suggested retail) price.
Many of the features are reminiscent of industry goliath Adobe Photoshop/Photoshop Elements. However, Pixelmator pulls it off without being "just another copy." Menus are generally intuitive enough that most standard photo editing can be handled without ever reading a single page of a manual. Color corrections are super simple with a few click and drag motions on the color curves. Exposure is quick and easy with levels as well. Crop is simple but without some of the preset sizes photographers often rely on for speed. However, the rule of thirds guide on crop is a nice surprise.
Overall Pixelmator delivers a very nice selection of everyday photo editing tools that will handle the vast majority, if not all, of the photo editing needs of hobbyist photographers.
