Mitthrawnuruodo
Moderator emeritus
Lack of layers? 😕
Pixelmator supports layers just fine:
I've even open PSD files with layers in Pixelmator...and it recognizes the layers in the PSD file...
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Pixelmator or Photoshop
- Thread starter Ifti
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Pixelmator supports layers just fine:
I've even open PSD files with layers in Pixelmator...and it recognizes the layers in the PSD file...
Pixelmator has layers but not layer styles (effects like drop shadow, grad fill, etc)... and it doesn't' have those vector shape tools like rounded rectangles. In designing web sites I use all those features all the time so for me Photoshop CS5 is the clear winner even though it's so darn expensive.
I also love Photoshops powerful Save for Web & Devices feature, history, snapshots, layer comps, transformation tool and other things like that. Plus if I'm sharing a design file in Photoshop the people I work with can open and use it on Mac or PC where Pixelmator isn't as popular and isn't cross platform.
lee14160
macrumors regular
Sorry, just do not understand how you can go out and spend $700.00 dollars for an application and not sit down and learn how to use it. Even if you bought the upgrade that still means you had to have bought an original version of Photoshop (CS2, CS3, etc.) to upgrade the to latest.
thejadedmonkey
macrumors G3
Pixelmator has "Export for Web" rather than Save for Web and Devices, can save files as Photoshop format, and has both history and transformation tools.
Not that anyone is saying Pixelmator is as good as Photoshop. It clearly isn't, but it fills a very important gap in the market, one that on Windows is filled by the likes of PaintShop Pro. A cheaper PS alternative that does everything the casual user needs.
Not that anyone is saying Pixelmator is as good as Photoshop. It clearly isn't, but it fills a very important gap in the market, one that on Windows is filled by the likes of PaintShop Pro. A cheaper PS alternative that does everything the casual user needs.
I have both and there are a few reasons I use PS CS5 more than Pixelmator:
Batch Processing: If I am making a pile of similar images (like icons for example for a theme) and need to apply the same effects to all of them, I can 'record' my actions on one and apply it to a whole folder and PS will automatically open each icon file, apply the changes (and it can be anything from applying filters, cropping, etc) then close the file again. Works for photos I take with my SLR too if I need to apply changes (like exposure for example) to a whole set of photos I took.
HDR Images: PS has a built in function to take 3 images of the same subject having 3 different exposure levels and will turn them into an HDR image.... usually you shoot one normal, one at +2 stops and one at -2 stops. HDR or High Dynamic Range gives you those photos that look almost surreal. You can really see it in clouds and water! Google it if you have not seen what HDR images look like!
Both of these things in addition to filters and plugins are why I use PS more. If you can do these things in Pixelmator, I have not figured out how. Overall I actually find PS easier to use (but probably because I have used it through the years over numerous releases, and know the menu system) For me, I actually get a bit frustrated trying to make Pixelmator do things I am used to doing in PS. For simple things I have played with Pixelmator though. And I keep both installed on my Macbook Pro. I actually do like the look of the GUI of Pixelmator better. But for me, it's PS all the way.
For the weekend warrior, or someone who just needs ocassional graphics/photo editing, then Pixelmator will likely do the job. And they are trying to improve it over time to have more functionality. For the price, I'm not upset that I paid for it, since it's a very good deal for a graphics program that has layers etc. If I had to pay for PS myself (instead of work paying for it for me), I'd probably stick with Pixelmator and make it work - I'd probably look at Aperture too though for photo stuff.
Batch Processing: If I am making a pile of similar images (like icons for example for a theme) and need to apply the same effects to all of them, I can 'record' my actions on one and apply it to a whole folder and PS will automatically open each icon file, apply the changes (and it can be anything from applying filters, cropping, etc) then close the file again. Works for photos I take with my SLR too if I need to apply changes (like exposure for example) to a whole set of photos I took.
HDR Images: PS has a built in function to take 3 images of the same subject having 3 different exposure levels and will turn them into an HDR image.... usually you shoot one normal, one at +2 stops and one at -2 stops. HDR or High Dynamic Range gives you those photos that look almost surreal. You can really see it in clouds and water! Google it if you have not seen what HDR images look like!
Both of these things in addition to filters and plugins are why I use PS more. If you can do these things in Pixelmator, I have not figured out how. Overall I actually find PS easier to use (but probably because I have used it through the years over numerous releases, and know the menu system) For me, I actually get a bit frustrated trying to make Pixelmator do things I am used to doing in PS. For simple things I have played with Pixelmator though. And I keep both installed on my Macbook Pro. I actually do like the look of the GUI of Pixelmator better. But for me, it's PS all the way.
For the weekend warrior, or someone who just needs ocassional graphics/photo editing, then Pixelmator will likely do the job. And they are trying to improve it over time to have more functionality. For the price, I'm not upset that I paid for it, since it's a very good deal for a graphics program that has layers etc. If I had to pay for PS myself (instead of work paying for it for me), I'd probably stick with Pixelmator and make it work - I'd probably look at Aperture too though for photo stuff.
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Porco
macrumors 68040
Clearly this thread has forgotten Photoshop Elements!
I have Pixelmator too and I like it a lot, but I'd still say PS Elements is my go-to app for graphics. The comparisons between Pixelmator's price and the full version of Photoshop are unnecessary really.
This is the reason why HDR "photography" is the worst thing to happen in a while. If you do an HDR photograph, and you can tell it's HDR, you are doing it wrong.
Tone Mapping is the effect that is creating all these surreal colors, not the HDR. If you want surreal colors, run your image through a ton of wild photoshop filters and leave real HDR to the people who know how to use it.