Pixelmator 2.0 Launches Tomorrow, With Content-Aware Fill and Full Lion Support [Now Available]

[MacRumors]

Version 2.0 of popular image editing application Pixelmator goes live tomorrow on the Mac App Store. The app was one of the early success stories on the Mac App Store, generating more than $1 million in revenue in the first 20 days.

The new version of Pixelmator includes support for a number of Lion features, including Full Screen, Auto Save, and Versions. It also includes an advanced healing tool, similar to Adobe Photoshop's Content Aware-Fill technology, moving an advanced feature into a brand new price point. The Loop has some additional screenshots.

Pixelmator 2.0 will be initially priced at $29.99, though the regular price will be $59.99. The Pixelmator team told us they hadn't decided exactly when the price will rise. Version 2.0 will be available on the Mac App Store tomorrow.

Version 1.6 of Pixelmator is available for $29.99 on the Mac App Store. Users who have purchased Pixelmator from the Mac App Store will receive the version 2.0 upgrade for free.

Update: Pixelmator 2.0 is now available in the Mac App Store for $29.99.

Article Link: Pixelmator 2.0 Launches Tomorrow, With Content-Aware Fill and Full Lion Support [Now Available]

 

[geerlingguy]

2.0 will almost be enough for me to untie my roots from Photoshop. I've used Photoshop for tons of projects since I had 2.5 LE on OS 7.5, and I've loved using it; it's truly one of the best programs I've ever used.

But I've paid my yearly $500+ tax long enough. Since I do mostly web work, and have Aperture for most operations, I just need to do a few small things in Pixelmator, and the only thing holding me back from dumping Photoshop for good is it's integrated vector tools and ability to work together with Illustrator so well.

 

[kjs862]

Does this program do something that PS can't?

 

[Doctor Q]

Does this program do something that PS can't?

I assume that one advantage is that the license lets you use it on more computers than Photoshop does.

 

[tny]

Does this program do something that PS can't?

Yes: cost $29.99. Think of it as an even less expensive alternative to Photoshop Elements. If you already have Photoshop, this probably isn't going to be worth it for you.

 

[*LTD*]

Does this program do something that PS can't?

It does do quite a bit of what PS *can*, at a mere fraction of the cost.

Nor is this some here today, gone tomorrow app. The Pixelmator team is quite dedicated, as is apparent.

 

[Mak47]

Does this program do something that PS can't?

Yes, it sells for a fraction of the price.

 

[blondepianist]

Yes! I've been checking their blog every day for the past week, waiting for this!

Pixelmator 1 is awesome for the price (I can't justify the cost of Photoshop), and v2 looks absolutely amazing.

 

[NutsNGum]

Brilliant. I love Pixelmator, dedicated devs like this really deserve all the plaudits they get.

 

[iisdan]

Pixelmator

Does this program do something that PS can't?

Yes... It works.

Adobe needs to recode all their products with a revamped interface, speed, make it stable, and lower their prices.

 

[gramtrax]

Adobe needs to recode all their products with a revamped interface, speed, make it stable, and lower their prices.

+1,000 to that! I would love this to put some fear into Adobe.

 

[Icaras]

Awesome. Looks like I'll be dumping my Photoshop for Pixelmator when this comes out.

 

[kjs862]

Awesome, I'll have to give it a try one of these day!

 

[Fender]

I love Pixelmator. They will have my $29.99 tomorrow.

 

[wikus]

Yes... It works.

Adobe needs to recode all their products with a revamped interface, speed, make it stable, and lower their prices.

They should try to optimize it more, yes, but the interface is just fine.

 

[Drag'nGT]

I'm seriously considering this since it looks so good, does the things I use Photoshop for and it's cheap.

How's the camera RAW support?

 

[jsalda]

Now what the team needs to do is focus on a vector/page layout program like FreeHand. If they came up with an app that could take the place of Illustrator and perform some of the functions of InDesign like what FH could do before it was killed off by Adobe, there would be a mass exodus. I bet they could sell it for $99 and still get a lot of people buying.

 

[scottrichardson]

As has been said by many pro web guys, we can't move from Photoshop to Pixelmator fully until Pixelmator supports a full suite of non destructive layer styles:

Drop Shadow,
Bevel,
Stroke,
Glow,
Inner Shadow
etc..

Unless I missed something this release still doesn't have layer styles? I am a happy owner of v1.6, but it's just frustrated me each time I have tried to do a full web layout in it quickly. Believe me when I say I am VERY KEEN on switching from the hog that is photoshop to pixelmator. I ditched Dreamweaver a couple of years ago in favour of Espresso and can never, ever go back.

Scott

 

[xXHexagonXx]

I'm seriously considering this since it looks so good, does the things I use Photoshop for and it's cheap.

How's the camera RAW support?

Seems to support RAW, I just bought it and opened my RAW files just fine - looking forward to the update tomorrow.

 

[HiRez]

Now what the team needs to do is focus on a vector/page layout program like FreeHand. If they came up with an app that could take the place of Illustrator and perform some of the functions of InDesign like what FH could do before it was killed off by Adobe, there would be a mass exodus. I bet they could sell it for $99 and still get a lot of people buying.

I think I will buy Pixelmator 2, even though I currently own and use Photoshop CS4 (which has really become a bloated, very expensive pig of an app). But I agree, it would be great for these devs to come up with an Illustrator alternative as well. Lots of workflows nowadays require at least part of it to be vector art, and without that functionality I'm afraid it's somewhat limiting. Should be able to make "smart layers" and revise the vector art without starting over each time. Now it does say 2.0 allows you to "create and edit vector shapes", but how does that compare to Illustrator's tools. I have to think it's pretty primitive by comparison (for example, are their mesh warps and sophisticated gradient fills?), but I'll reserve judgement. For now I can continue to use Illustrator CS4 and import into Pixelmator, we'll see how that goes, but it's not really ideal.

 

[LoganT]

BTW, anyone who bought Pixelmator on the App Store gets Pixelmator 2.0 for free, if that wasn't obvious.

 

[Icaras]

I think I will buy Pixelmator 2, even though I currently own and use Photoshop CS4 (which has really become a bloated, very expensive pig of an app).

Yea, I agree. I need a slimmer, not to mention less expensive program to boot. Pixelmator looks really attractive against Photoshop.

 

[heywire]

BTW, anyone who bought Pixelmator on the App Store gets Pixelmator 2.0 for free, if that wasn't obvious.

I'm quite sad about this... I have been a longtime user of Pixelmator 1. I purchased it directly from them for $59.99 back in 2009. Unfortunately this excludes me as being upgrade eligible. A penalty for being an early adopter .

 

[Heilage]

Awesome, free upgrade!

Pixelmator has turned out to be a great piece of software for quite a lot of my needs (some GUI development, sketching, non-advanced editing).

It has completely replaced PS for me. My conscience is clean with regards to graphical software.

 

[A5hleyRich]

Already such an awesome program, can't wait for the new features. Check out PXM-Tuts for some examples and tutorials of what Pixelmator can do.