First look: Pixelmator 3.3 with support for 5K iMac, Handoff, Repair extension, more

Popular image editing software developer Pixelmator on Thursday released version 3.3 of its eponymous Mac app, bringing a host of new functions that take full advantage of Apple's latest OS X Yosemite features.

Dubbed "Limestone," Pixelmator 3.3 sports a refreshed user interface, tie-ins with tentpole OS X Yosemite Continuity features, iCloud Drive integration and support for Apple's latest high-resolution iMac with Retina 5K display. AppleInsider was able to test drive the latest Pixelmator software prior to release.

Compared to the previous Pixelmator 3.2 Sandstone, version 3.3 adds a bit of polish to the already easy-to-use interface, though not much was changed in the way of usability. Like OS X Yosemite, Pixelmator ditches shaded drop-down menus in favor of transparent panes, while other menus are now scrollable within the main tool windows, such as the Effects Browser.

Menus are now integrated into tool bar panes.

Pixelmator 3.3 brings back the same set of powerful editing tools, including the amazingly fast and accurate Repair Tool. Introduced in version 3.2, Repair lets users paint over an object they want removed with a resizable paintbrush cursor. The software uses specialized algorithms to process the surrounding area, remove the unwanted section and stitch together a cohesive background, making the image whole.

According to Pixelmator, the code is streamlined to be easy on system resources and users can choose from "quick," "standard" and "advanced" levels of processing depending on the editing situation. Most recently, the company introduced the Repair Tool as the highlight feature of its first foray into mobile image editing, Pixelmator for iPad.

Repair Tool used to delete objects within red boxes.

On the topic of mobile utility, the latest Pixelmator for Mac bakes in support for Handoff, an OS X Yosemite Continuity feature that allows users to start a project on Mac and hand it off to an iOS device, or vice versa. Other image editors with cross-device support, like Adobe's Lightroom series, use proprietary cloud services for syncing.

Unfortunately, Handoff was disabled on our preview version of Pixelmator, though the app icon did appear to the left of the dock in OS X. Clicking on it brought up a window telling us to enable iCloud storage, which was already turned on for both devices. Pixelmator has confirmed that the feature will be enabled in the Mac App Store version.

The preview app also did not have extensions enabled, so we were unable to test out the Repair Tool's capabilities in Mail or Text Editor. The idea is great in theory and we have no doubt it will be a valuable addition to Apple's own Markup utility.

Syncing with iCloud Drive did work, however, allowing for easy storage and access across Apple's range of products. Like other apps, Pixelmator builds in iCloud Drive integration as a "Save" option.

Finally, the app adds support for the new iMac with Retina 5K display, allowing for a huge work canvas, large native file handling and multiple open projects.

Pixelmator version 3.3 is available from the Mac App Store for $29.99 or as a free update for existing users. Those new to the software can try it out free for 30 days by visiting Pixelmator's website.

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18 Comments

clemynx

said about 9 years ago

OSX is THE best OS in the world, without a doubt. Those extension options are just amazing.

SpamSandwich

said about 9 years ago

That's a pretty ratty looking cat. I think it needs to be brushed ASAP.

rob53

said about 9 years ago

Jokes aside, has Adobe updated their apps to Yosemite? Do they include any of the new options Pixelmator does (Handoff, 5K support and iCloud Drive)? I use Pixelmator and Acorn and haven't touched Photoshop in years. No, I no longer deal with "professional" publications but I can do many of the things I used to do in Photoshop for a whole lot less money and agony waiting for Adobe to fix things.

SpamSandwich

said about 9 years ago

[quote name="rob53" url="/t/183280/first-look-pixelmator-3-3-with-support-for-5k-imac-handoff-repair-extension-more#post_2635770"]Jokes aside, has Adobe updated their apps to Yosemite? Do they include any of the new options Pixelmator does (Handoff, 5K support and iCloud Drive)? I use Pixelmator and Acorn and haven't touched Photoshop in years. No, I no longer deal with "professional" publications but I can do many of the things I used to do in Photoshop for a whole lot less money and agony waiting for Adobe to fix things. [/quote] Since I refuse to research it for myself, does Pixelmator have a CMYK mode and if so, does it also incorporate PMS ink colors for print?

rob53

said about 9 years ago

Quote:

Originally Posted by SpamSandwich

Since I refuse to research it for myself, does Pixelmator have a CMYK mode and if so, does it also incorporate PMS ink colors for print?

Quick answer, no to CMYK although you can define a color in CMYK. Checking on defining PMS colors. From Pixelmator help (I'm not making a judgement on this, only reporting on what's there):

Understanding color modes and color spaces

The concept of the color model describes how colors in images are stored and processed. Pixelmator supports the RGB color model, which means that every dot in an image is described by three colors - red, green and blue. The RGB color model is universal, and it is used in computer displays or for storing digital photos.

A color space is a specific color model variant. It defines the gamut (the range) of color. For example, Adobe RGB, sRGB, Device RGB, ProPhoto RGB and so on are all unique RGB color model color spaces.

Each device - for example, your display - has its own color space and reproduces colors only in its gamut (space). So if your display has a narrower gamut, an image with wider gamut colors may change, given that each device interprets color values according to its own color space.

Therefore, color management is used to ensure that most colors are the same or similar enough when an image is transferred from one device to another.

Other Color models: Other well-known color models are CMYK, Lab, and Indexed Colors. Though Pixelmator understands images saved using these color models, it will convert them to sRGB when opening an image.

CMYK Myth: There is a myth that if you want to prepare an image for print, you have to work in the CMYK color model. That is not true. Being a naturally narrow color model for printing devices, CMYK has less image editing capabilities and usually produces a poorer quality. When working with images for print, one should edit them in the RGB color model and then rely on RGB-to-CMYK converting applications.

Alternately, if an image is being prepared for professional printing, RGB-to-CMYK conversion should be carried out by specialists.

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Color menu showing CMYK settings. Can also enter hex code for any color, even PMS if you have an RGB mapping table. I'm sure the developer could add a PMS color selection if requested. Just send them an email and see what he says.