Wikipedia

Pixelmator Pro

Pixelmator Pro is a photo, video,[1] and vector[2] graphic editor developed by Apple for macOS as part of its Pixelmator set of apps. As a Mac-only app, Pixelmator Pro relies heavily on technologies from Apple platforms such as Metal, CoreML, Core Image, AVFoundation, GCD, and SwiftUI.[3]

Pixelmator Pro
Original author(s)Pixelmator Team
Developer(s)Apple Inc.
Initial releaseNovember 29, 2017
Stable release
3.6.16 (Archipelago)
Written inSwift
Operating systemmacOS
PredecessorPixelmator Classic
TypeGraphics software
LicenseProprietary
Websitewww.pixelmator.com

Features

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  • GPU accelerated with Metal[3]
  • 50+ standard image editing tools
  • Layer-based image editor
  • Video editing support[1]
  • Vector graphic support (including SVG support)
  • AI-powered editing features such as background removal ML Super Resolution[4] and Smart Replace[5]
  • Supports a variety of media formats (JPEG, RAW, Apple ProRAW, PSD, PNG, GIF, MP4, HEIF, etc)[3]

Reception

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Pixelmator Pro was generally well-received by reviewers who praised its deep use of machine learning,[6] fully macOS-native design,[7] and relatively affordable one-time purchase compared to subscription software such as Adobe Photoshop.[8] Some reviewers criticized that some features hard to find or hard to use.[8][9] It was awarded Apple's Mac App of the Year in 2018.[10]

Pixelmator Pro does not have support for panorama stitching.[11]

Purchase by Apple

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On November 1, 2024, the Pixelmator Team announced that they were to be acquired by Apple, subject to regulatory approval.[12] Their site promises "There will be no material changes to the Pixelmator Pro, Pixelmator for iOS, and Photomator apps at this time." The acquisition was completed in February 2025.[13]

Version History

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Version Codename Release Date Notable Changes Ref(s)
1.0 Whirlwind November 29, 2017
  • Initial release
 [14]
1.1 Monsoon May 31, 2018
  • Added Touch Bar support
  • Added vector import/export support
  • Added SVG and HEIF support
  • Added slice tool
  • Added Tutorials
 [15][16]
1.2 Quicksilver October 18, 2018 [17][18]
1.3 Prism January 18, 2019
  • Added layer tagging, filters, and search
  • Added clip masks
 [19][20]
1.4 Hummingbird July 23, 2019 [21][22]
1.5 Avalon October 10, 2019 [23][24]
1.6 Magenta March 30, 2020
  • New color picker
  • Notifies users if a font is missing from the system
  • Performance improvements
  • Added WebP support
 [25][26]
1.7 Sequoia July 16, 2020
  • Added ML Super Resolution
  • Text can now be placed along paths, improving the ability to make rounded text
  • The canvas can now be freely rotated to any angle
 [4]
1.8 Lynx September 17, 2020 [27]
2.0 Junipero November 18, 2020 [28][29]
2.1 Coral June 29, 2021
  • Added ML Crop
  • Rewritten .PSD engine
 [30][27]
2.2 Carmel October 25, 2021 [31]
2.3 Abracadabra November 23, 2021
  • Added AI-powered Magic Background Eraser and Select Subject
  • Added Select and Mask tool
  • Added export to Motion
 [32][27]
2.4 Odesa April 12, 2022
  • Added color adjustments layers
  • Redesigned layers sidebar
  • Added new vector shapes
 [33]
3.0 Muse September 22, 2022
  • Added 200+ design templates and 16 editable mockups
  • Added AI-powered Smart Replace
 [34][5]
3.1 Fortuna November 2, 2022 [35]
3.2 Lumière December 6, 2022
  • Added video editing (with accompanying new templates)
  • Added support for MP4, MOV, and other video formats
  • Added ML-based deband
 [36][1][27]
3.3 Mosaic February 28, 2023
  • Added Remove Color feature
  • Added Shadow and Highlight Recovery
  • Added Stroke Styles
 [37][38]
3.4 Camelot September 11, 2023
  • Added advanced PDF support
  • Added Convert to PDF Shortcut
 [39]
3.5 Flare December 13, 2023 [40]
3.6 Archipelago May 23, 2024
  • Redesigned masking
  • AI background masks
  • Full masking compability
3.6.7 Archipelago Aug 20, 2024
  • Auto Straighten
  • Other Improvements and Fixes

Applescript

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In 2020 Pixelmator Pro added the ability to leverage Apple's automation language 'AppleScript' to automate many tasks in version 1.8 (Lynx). This enabled simple and advanced automation activities such as image resize, crop, color adjustments, format change, moving layers around, and more advanced actions like removing background, Gaussian blur, text replacement, shadows, color replacement, etc. Despite AppleScript being a very old language with some antiquated syntax, it is still officially listed on Apple websites support sites for automation see link: apple automation.

Apple has a published getting started guide for Applescript with Pixelmator Pro here: https://support.pixelmator.com/faq-pixelmator-pro/advanced-workflows/advanced-automation-and-scripting-with-applescript

In addition to simple homemade AppleScript additions others have created AppleScript utilities for Pixelmator Pro. There are some very useful scripting additions available for Pixelmator Pro to enhance it for professionals. These leverage the published AppleScript API for Pixelmator Pro to do advanced actions. See the list below:

Description AppleScript Utility Link
Bracket Merge https://www.etsy.com/listing/1673781560/bracket-merge-pixelmator-pro-action
Focus Merge https://www.etsy.com/listing/1659566335/focus-stacking-pixelmator-pro
Data Merge (CVS) https://www.etsy.com/listing/1880683229/data-merge-csv-for-pixelmator-pro-on-the
Contact Sheet Creator https://www.etsy.com/listing/1693997783/contact-sheet-
Polaroid Picture Collage https://www.etsy.com/listing/1691709583/picture-collage-creator-polaroid
Watermark https://www.etsy.com/listing/1709154712/watermark-pixelmator-pro-action
Calendar Creator https://www.etsy.com/listing/1781997741/calendar-creator-for-pixelmator-pro-on
Layers Export to File https://www.etsy.com/listing/1881666383/layer-saver-for-pixelmator-pro-for-mac

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c Salman, Ali (2022-12-08). "Latest Pixelmator Pro Update Brings Support For Video Editing on the Mac". Wccftech. Archived from the original on 2023-08-05. Retrieved 2023-08-05.
  2. ^ Zibreg, Christian (2018-05-31). "Pixelmator Pro gains HEIF export, web tools, Touch Bar support, smart adjustments & more". iDownloadBlog.com. Retrieved 2023-08-05.
  3. ^ a b c Team, Pixelmator. "Tech Specs - Pixelmator Pro". Tech Specs - Pixelmator Pro. Archived from the original on 2023-08-05. Retrieved 2023-08-05.
  4. ^ a b Zibreg, Christian (2020-07-16). "Pixelmator Pro 1.7 adds text on a path, freeform canvas rotation & more". iDownloadBlog.com. Archived from the original on 2023-08-05. Retrieved 2023-08-05.
  5. ^ a b Mendez, Andrew (2022-09-22). "Pixelmator Pro 3.0 arrives, adding new features, 200 templates, mockups and more". TechCrunch. Retrieved 2023-08-05.
  6. ^ Jackie Dove (2018-01-23). "Pixelmator Pro Review: Still a Powerful Bargin". Tom's Guide. Retrieved 2023-08-05.
  7. ^ Simpson, Jayphen (2017-09-06). "Pixelmator Pro to Feature AI-Powered Photo Editing Features". PetaPixel. Archived from the original on 2023-08-05. Retrieved 2023-08-05.
  8. ^ a b "Pixelmator Pro review: An affordable alternative for pro Photoshop users". Macworld. Archived from the original on 2023-08-05. Retrieved 2023-08-05.
  9. ^ Jackie Dove (2018-01-23). "Pixelmator Pro Review: Still a Powerful Bargin". Tom's Guide. Archived from the original on 2023-08-05. Retrieved 2023-08-05.
  10. ^ "Apple presents the best of 2018". Apple Newsroom. Archived from the original on 2018-12-04. Retrieved 2023-08-05.
  11. ^ "Affinity Photo vs Pixelmator Pro | Which is Better for Photographers and Why? | SLR Lounge". Archived from the original on 2017-12-11. Retrieved 2025-07-24.
  12. ^ Team, Pixelmator (2024-11-01). "A new home for Pixelmator". Pixelmator Blog. Archived from the original on 2025-01-15. Retrieved 2025-01-15.
  13. ^ Julie Clover (2025-02-11). "Apple Completes Pixelmator Acquisition". macrumors.com. Archived from the original on 2025-02-11. Retrieved 2025-02-12.
  14. ^ "Pixelmator Team introduces Pixelmator Pro - Pixelmator Blog". www.pixelmator.com. Retrieved 2023-08-05.
  15. ^ "Pixelmator Team releases major update to Pixelmator Pro - Pixelmator Blog". www.pixelmator.com. Archived from the original on 2023-08-05. Retrieved 2023-08-05.
  16. ^ Zibreg, Christian (2018-05-31). "Pixelmator Pro gains HEIF export, web tools, Touch Bar support, smart adjustments & more". iDownloadBlog.com. Archived from the original on 2023-08-05. Retrieved 2023-08-05.
  17. ^ "Pixelmator Pro 1.2 Quicksilver out now - Pixelmator Blog". www.pixelmator.com. Archived from the original on 2023-08-05. Retrieved 2023-08-05.
  18. ^ "Pixelmator Pro 1.2 upgrade adds macOS Mojave support, Core ML-based photo enhancement tool". AppleInsider. 2018-10-18. Archived from the original on 2023-08-05. Retrieved 2023-08-05.
  19. ^ "Pixelmator Pro gets another major update - Pixelmator Blog". www.pixelmator.com. Archived from the original on 2023-08-05. Retrieved 2023-08-05.
  20. ^ "Pixelmator Pro gets new layer tools, clipping masks, more in 'Prism' update". AppleInsider. 2019-01-23. Archived from the original on 2023-08-05. Retrieved 2023-08-05.
  21. ^ "Hands on: Pixelmator Pro 1.4 brings full image editing tools to Apple Photos". AppleInsider. 2019-07-23. Archived from the original on 2023-08-05. Retrieved 2023-08-05.
  22. ^ "Pixelmator Pro updated with incredible new Photos extension - Pixelmator Blog". www.pixelmator.com. Archived from the original on 2023-08-05. Retrieved 2023-08-05.
  23. ^ "Pixelmator Pro 1.5 Avalon now available - Pixelmator Blog". www.pixelmator.com. Archived from the original on 2023-08-05. Retrieved 2023-08-05.
  24. ^ "Pixelmator Pro v1.5 adds support for Catalina, Sidecar, and the Mac Pro". AppleInsider. 2020-08-31. Archived from the original on 2023-08-05. Retrieved 2023-08-05.
  25. ^ "Pixelmator Pro 1.6 Magenta now available". Pixelmator Blog. Retrieved 2023-08-05.
  26. ^ Team, Pixelmator. "Pixelmator Pro adds WebP support". Pixelmator Blog. Archived from the original on 2023-08-05. Retrieved 2023-08-05.
  27. ^ a b c d "What's New". What's New. Retrieved 2023-08-05.
  28. ^ Chin, Monica (2020-11-18). "Pixelmator Pro gets update for M1 Macs". The Verge. Retrieved 2023-08-05.
  29. ^ "Pixelmator Pro 2.0 Launches With All-New Design and Native Apple M1 Support". MacRumors. 2020-11-18. Retrieved 2023-08-05.
  30. ^ "Pixelmator Pro 2.1 Coral Brings AI-Driven Cropping, Quick Fill and Stroke With Brush Features, and More". MacRumors. 2021-06-29. Archived from the original on 2023-08-05. Retrieved 2023-08-05.
  31. ^ "Pixelmator Pro 2.2 Update Adds macOS Monterey Support, 28 Shortcuts Actions, New Split Comparison View, and More". MacRumors. 2021-10-26. Archived from the original on 2023-08-05. Retrieved 2023-08-05.
  32. ^ "Pixelmator Pro 2.3 released: New AI-powered Magic Background Eraser and Select Subject". DPReview. Archived from the original on 2023-04-06. Retrieved 2023-08-05.
  33. ^ Oliver Haslam (2022-04-12). "Huge Pixelmator Pro 2.4 gains a new-look Layers sidebar, new shapes, and more". iMore. Retrieved 2023-08-05.
  34. ^ "Pixelmator Pro 3.0 Released With Over 200 Design Templates and Mockups, More". iClarified. 2022-09-22. Archived from the original on 2023-08-05. Retrieved 2023-08-05.
  35. ^ "New Pixelmator Pro 3.1 adds macOS Ventura and AVIF image support". AppleInsider. 2022-11-02. Archived from the original on 2023-08-05. Retrieved 2023-08-05.
  36. ^ "Pixelmator 3.2 released: Affordable Mac image editing app adds video editing". DPReview. Archived from the original on 2023-04-19. Retrieved 2023-08-05.
  37. ^ Adorno, José (2023-02-28). "Pixelmator Pro 3.3 for Mac adds powerful new features". BGR. Archived from the original on 2023-08-05. Retrieved 2023-08-05.
  38. ^ Gray, Jeremy (2023-02-28). "Pixelmator Pro Update Makes it Easier to Remove Color and Improve Photos". PetaPixel. Retrieved 2023-08-05.
  39. ^ "Pixelmator Pro 3.4 adds extensive PDF editing support including separating images and text into layers". AppleInsider. 2023-09-11. Retrieved 2023-09-12.
  40. ^ "Pixelmator Pro 3.5 update adds HDR image and video editing support". AppleInsider. 2023-12-13. Retrieved 2024-03-26.
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