Pixelmator Pro debuts with powerful image editing tools, machine learning tech
The developers behind popular image editing app Pixelmator on Tuesday released Pixelmator Pro for Mac, a new title that takes advantage of Apple APIs like Metal 2 and Core Image to deliver GPU-powered tools, machine learning features and more.
Codenamed "Whirlwind," Pixelmator Pro was first announced in September as a next-generation Mac image editor with hooks into Apple's latest graphics platforms, as well as advanced in-house technology designed to turbocharge editing workflows.
Built on Swift 4, the app integrates Metal 2, Core Image and OpenGL for GPU-powered editing, taking computational load off the CPU while accelerating graphically intensive tasks. Metal 2, for example, is utilized to render painting tools and dual texture brushes.
With a revamped single-window interface, which takes the place of Pixelmator's floating tool palettes, Pixelmator Pro puts a focus on the image at hand rather than of the app's toolset. The Pixelmator team also streamlined the GUI to reflect the look and feel of macOS, presenting a finished product that acts and functions much like a first-party Apple product.
New to the app are machine learning assets implemented via the Core ML framework that power intelligent editing tools and features like the ability to detect attributes in images for accurate automatic layer naming, automatic horizon detection, smart object removal and quick selections.
Developers of professional-level image editing software are quickly turning to artificial intelligence technologies to assist in basic workflow tasks. For example, Adobe earlier this week teased a new function coming to Photoshop CC that uses machine learning to automatically select an object, person or animal in a given scene.
In addition to machine learning technology, Pixelmator Pro builds on Pixelmator's foundation as an easy-to-use, yet powerful image editing application. Like competing products, the app supports nondestructive color adjustments, effects, styles and tools, while a new presets feature lets users create and save combinations of adjustments, effects and styles as macros. These presets can then be shared with other Pixelmator Pro users.
The app also supports RAW files, including RAW layers, HEIF files and Adobe Photoshop images. Future Pixelmator Pro updates are already in the works, as is a version for iPad. The developer intends to continue sales and support of Pixelmator in tandem with the new Pro iteration.
Pixelmator Pro version 1.0 requires macOS High Sierra and a Metal-compatible graphics card. The app is available now from the Mac App Store for $59.99.
Codenamed "Whirlwind," Pixelmator Pro was first announced in September as a next-generation Mac image editor with hooks into Apple's latest graphics platforms, as well as advanced in-house technology designed to turbocharge editing workflows.
Built on Swift 4, the app integrates Metal 2, Core Image and OpenGL for GPU-powered editing, taking computational load off the CPU while accelerating graphically intensive tasks. Metal 2, for example, is utilized to render painting tools and dual texture brushes.
With a revamped single-window interface, which takes the place of Pixelmator's floating tool palettes, Pixelmator Pro puts a focus on the image at hand rather than of the app's toolset. The Pixelmator team also streamlined the GUI to reflect the look and feel of macOS, presenting a finished product that acts and functions much like a first-party Apple product.
New to the app are machine learning assets implemented via the Core ML framework that power intelligent editing tools and features like the ability to detect attributes in images for accurate automatic layer naming, automatic horizon detection, smart object removal and quick selections.
Developers of professional-level image editing software are quickly turning to artificial intelligence technologies to assist in basic workflow tasks. For example, Adobe earlier this week teased a new function coming to Photoshop CC that uses machine learning to automatically select an object, person or animal in a given scene.
In addition to machine learning technology, Pixelmator Pro builds on Pixelmator's foundation as an easy-to-use, yet powerful image editing application. Like competing products, the app supports nondestructive color adjustments, effects, styles and tools, while a new presets feature lets users create and save combinations of adjustments, effects and styles as macros. These presets can then be shared with other Pixelmator Pro users.
The app also supports RAW files, including RAW layers, HEIF files and Adobe Photoshop images. Future Pixelmator Pro updates are already in the works, as is a version for iPad. The developer intends to continue sales and support of Pixelmator in tandem with the new Pro iteration.
Pixelmator Pro version 1.0 requires macOS High Sierra and a Metal-compatible graphics card. The app is available now from the Mac App Store for $59.99.
Comments
They probably should have made Vectormator a $10 IAP. When I remember it's there it's quite handy.
I had used Pixelmator v.1 some years ago and after much stumbling around and no online help, I managed to do the only thing I wanted from it— create a particular size and shape background and lift a simple, usually geometric image off another background and drop it onto a new one. This was to allow me to make desktop images out of various pics I'd find, that didn't fit the shape of my display.
I finally stumbled onto and through the process and had some success. I really liked the feature of picking one color and dropping it on another to change backgrounds. Then they changed it to be more Adobe like maybe and you had to carefully 'paint' in the new color. A pain for me.
So I hope I can figure out how to do that one thing. Then maybe I can work on expanding my photo editing horizons.
http://www.pixelmator.com/pro/styles/
Also, is it just some vector-tools like standard Pixelmator, or can you actually import a vector file and work on it? (I need that soon and have been trying to decide if I should get Affinity Designer... head towards CC... or hope the Pixelmator team gets there on day soon.)
Also, I get the feeling that Pixelmator Pro is quite ahead of Adobe on using Apple technologies and more modern workflows... but they also have been showing some pretty crazy stuff (actually, kinda scary stuff... if you saw how they can take an audio recording of you, which turns to text, and then you can just edit what it says and it plays flawlessly).