Pixelmator Pro 2.2 Update Adds macOS Monterey Support, 28 Shortcuts Actions, New Split Comparison View, and More

[MacRumors]

Pixelmator 2.2 got its public release on Tuesday. The latest major update to the popular image editing app includes support for macOS Monterey and Shortcuts, as well as a new Split Comparison View, a new Bokeh effect, and more.

With Monterey bringing Shortcuts to the Mac for the first time, Pixelmator is adding 28 dedicated actions, including all ML-based tools (Super Resolution, Enhance, Denoise, Match Colors, and Crop) and some Shortcuts-exclusive features, like automatic background removal for photos of people. For more information, Pixelmator has provided a tutorial on using Shortcuts with the app.

This update also brings a new split-screen comparison view, allowing users to see all their edits more closely. Split comparison view can be turned on by Option-clicking the Show Original button or force clicking the canvas when using the Color Adjustments and Effects tools. Users can also press the Control + C keyboard shortcut or add the new compare button to the Pixelmator Pro toolbar by clicking View > Customize Toolbar.

In addition, there's an all-new Bokeh blur effect, while users can now open Pixelmator Photo files in Pixelmator Pro, and the maximum brush spacing has been increased from 100% to 1000%. Elsewhere, new FaceTime Portrait Masks mean whenever users insert photos of themselves with the FaceTime camera, they'll get an automatically created portrait mask applied to that layer. Some other more minor changes are listed in the full release notes.

Lastly, Pixelmator Pro's developers say users can expect features like ML Super Resolution to be up to 15 times faster on the latest MacBook Pro models when compared to the most recent Intel-powered Mac devices, thanks to Apple's new M1 Pro and M1 Max chips.

The latest Pixelmator Pro update is free for all existing users of Pixelmator Pro, which costs $39.99 in the Mac App Store.

Article Link: Pixelmator Pro 2.2 Update Adds macOS Monterey Support, 28 Shortcuts Actions, New Split Comparison View, and More

 

[Kaptajn Haddock]

By far my favorite photos editor. Blazing fast on my M1 Mac mini.

 

[PsykX]

At this point I don't really know why one would choose Photoshop over Pixelmator.

Of course it's a new app to learn, it's Mac-only, etc. but it's ridiculously fast, well crafted and so much fun to use.

 

[FSMBP]

One of top third party apps on my Mac (and it isn't an subscription, thank god)...Can't wait to use this new version on an M1

 

[star-affinity]

Really impressive app that feels (because it is?) truly macOS native.

 

[Kylo83]

I got the new Lightroom update and it doesn’t say anything about new speed on new MacBooks or anything, is this software like Lightroom?

 

[Nozuka]

I love how fast they always are to adapt to new OS Updates and Hardware.

 

[Funky_Alphonzo]

I got the new Lightroom update and it doesn’t say anything about new speed on new MacBooks or anything, is this software like Lightroom?

Pixelmator is more like Photoshop. Lightroom alternatives are Capture one, Exposure, Raw Power ... or Photos ?

 

[matrix07]

I got the new Lightroom update and it doesn’t say anything about new speed on new MacBooks or anything, is this software like Lightroom?

Doesn’t seem like Adobe update Premiere to give faster speed on new MBPs as well.

 

[Kylo83]

I wish we still had apples Aperture app back, we need a Lightroom alternative that uses the power of macOS

 

[Funky_Alphonzo]

I wish we still had apples Aperture app back, we need a Lightroom alternative that uses the power of macOS

I think Raw Power is the closest you can get to Aperture these days... but the light table function from aperture is still missing unfortunately.

 

[mopppish]

As someone with intermediate needs and skills, Pixelmator has been great. I’ve used it for simple photo touch ups and vector graphics (e.g. making icons) and it is both more powerful and easier to use than the previous free solutions I tried (Photos plus GIMP plus Inkscape). Well worth the $20 I paid when it was last on sale.

 

[VictorTango777]

The icons in the toolbar and tool palettes are too small to easily discern. The text in the toolbar and tool palettes is too small to read easily without straining. This seems to be a recurring theme in “professional” applications. Why aren’t the developers of these applications updating them to work with today’s high resolution monitors? Do they think that microscopic icons and text make their applications look more “professional”?

 

[Jessica Lares]

Wow, I'm really glad they went big with the Shortcuts support! Was THE app I knew that was going to benefit the most from it.

 

[D3ggy]

I’m not seeing the update in the App Store.

 

[smoking monkey]

If you don't have it, perhaps hold off until Thanksgiving/Cyber Monday and see if there is a deal on it then. 40 bucks ain't bad, but I reckon there might be a sale on it before the end of the year.

 

[PaulKemp]

Been looking for photoshop alternatives lately. Affinity and maybe this.

Capture one is superior to Lightroom imo, specially as a raw converter.

 

[mazz0]

Love this app. Kind wish they'd merge Photo and Pro together though, or at least offer both on both platforms (mostly I just want Pro on iPad).

 

[tkaravou]

Been looking for photoshop alternatives lately. Affinity and maybe this.

Capture one is superior to Lightroom imo, specially as a raw converter.

Pixelmator Pro is considerably better than Affinity Photo IMO. It's way more intuitive and the ML features are outstanding

 

[DocMultimedia]

This and Affinity Photo are both ideal apps that are great for replacing Photoshop. IMO.

 

[MacBH928]

which is one more like photoshop, Affinity Photo or Pixelmator?

 

[cmChimera]

Does anyone have the sample shortcuts they posted in the splash screen? I hit continue and now can't find them anymore.

EDIT: Nevermind, found em

 

[Kaptajn Haddock]

I wish we still had apples Aperture app back, we need a Lightroom alternative that uses the power of macOS

Aperture will always be my favorite. To bad they discontinued it.