I love to see they're actively putting out updates for Pixelmatr. Hands down my favorite image editor.
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Pixelmator for Mac Updated With Redesigned Interface, OS X Yosemite Support
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It would be nice to have a choice... even though I prefer the black interface. I find it very helpful.
Floating windows is very helpful for those who use multiple monitors... place the windows on one display, the working image on the other.
With Acorn being on sale right now costing about the same as Pixelmator, anyone up for a comparison between these two? I'm on the verge of making the choice, looking for a word of advice on what would be the best pick when it comes to basic image editing and getting a little low profile creating stuff done.
Im sorry to say that I dont notice any difference in the latest interface which apparently has a new look and feel inspired by Yosemite!
What is different? Looks exactly the same to me!
Also, as others have said, where is the single window option?!? Clicking out of a graphic and ending up in another app is THE worst thing about PXM, imo.
What is different? Looks exactly the same to me!
Also, as others have said, where is the single window option?!? Clicking out of a graphic and ending up in another app is THE worst thing about PXM, imo.
It really depends on how you want to use the software. Photo editing/manipulation, or illustration & digital painting, etc., etc. The best thing to do is go to the Pixelmator & Acorn websites and download both of their trials and see how they work for you. Both have helpful tutorials online (and forums) so one can get up to speed with the basics with each UI pretty easily.
When I get my new Macbook this will be the first program I purchase, Pixelmator really has taken the fight to Adobe of late and has come out on top to me with a fantastic product that works and a perfect price point to not rip off customers and to not rely on subscription services.
Whilst I believe Adobe are going to have to start innovating soon because they've gotten too comfortable in their monopoly, there's still a few Adobe pieces which don't really have adequate replacements yet. You can easily substitute Photoshop (bar a few actions) but nothing really comes close to offering what Lightroom does, to photographers. I looked into Pixelmator as a possible replacement to Lightroom, in fear of Adobe making this subscription based too, but it's clear that isn't really what it's meant for. Pixelmator is a great choice over Photoshop or Gimpshop, but photographers aren't gonna want to let go of Lightroom just yet.
That all being said, I am looking forward to Apple's new Photos app and seeing what that offers in the way of professional standard image processing tools, seeing as they're replacing Aperture with it.
Sorry, I didn't clarify--I meant in post-Mac App Store debut. It was $59.99 for a few months there after its $29.99 debut, as I mentioned, but I don't think they've ever done that since.
(I had never even heard of it before the App Store, so perhaps they were making enough with the extra popularity and more attractive price that they decided to keep it there.)
I concur with what CrickettGrrrl said: the best option would be to download both trial versions and compare them for yourself.
I personally chose Pixelmator because it felt more optimised. Acorn is also very feature-complete and powerful, but it's just sometimes very sluggish. (I'm also not a big fan of the single window UI, but unfortunately, it's the big trend…)
However, depending on how urgent your need for a image editing program is, I would suggest holding off your decision a while, considering Serif Labs' Affinity Photo is looming on the horizon. Based on their already released Affinity Designer, I would expect it to be a major competitor to both Pixelmator and Acorn, maybe even Photoshop.
Well, yes, actually. When the company quotes 'Redesigned Interface: A new look and feel inspired by Yosemite', I think it does matter.
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I know. I was just saying I had never heard of it before the App Store made it much more popular.
Yes, PLEASE, provide a lighter option.
Pixelmator is a great, very capable program, but I really don't like the gloom of working in a black environment.
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I've always found it confusing for an app to have windows floating all over the desktop. Prefer a unified interface.
Pixelmator is a great, very capable program, but I really don't like the gloom of working in a black environment.
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I've always found it confusing for an app to have windows floating all over the desktop. Prefer a unified interface.
Not crazy about the tool menu
Since the first day I used Pixelmator, I have found the floating toolbar (the one with the crop tool, paint tool, fill tool, etc.) confusing. The teensy icons are hard to see and interpret. After using the program occasionally for a year and a half, I still find myself leaning forward to try and figure out which one I need. Never had that problem in Photoshop. I'd say the capabilities of the program are impressive, but the cramped menu windows, tiny icon symbols, and black interface are undesirable.
Since the first day I used Pixelmator, I have found the floating toolbar (the one with the crop tool, paint tool, fill tool, etc.) confusing. The teensy icons are hard to see and interpret. After using the program occasionally for a year and a half, I still find myself leaning forward to try and figure out which one I need. Never had that problem in Photoshop. I'd say the capabilities of the program are impressive, but the cramped menu windows, tiny icon symbols, and black interface are undesirable.
I like the PXM tool palette better than Photoshop's because of the colored tool icons. I find monotone icon outlines harder to identify quickly. Also, if you hover over a tool in Pixelmator, a little yellow label pops up, & of course, clicking on a tool enlarges the icon. So the palette & interface have never been a problem. I use a 21.5" iMac so perhaps things are harder to see on smaller laptop screens.