Pixelmator Pro

Pixelmator Pro

Original author(s)	Pixelmator Team
Developer(s)	Apple Inc.
Initial release	November 29, 2017
Stable release	3.6.16 (Archipelago)
Written in	Swift
Operating system	macOS
Predecessor	Pixelmator Classic
Type	Graphics software
License	Proprietary
Website	www.pixelmator.com

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] They are based in Vilnius, Lithuania. ^[4]

Features

• 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^[5] and Smart Replace^[6]
• Supports a variety of media formats (JPEG, RAW, Apple ProRAW, PSD, PNG, GIF, MP4, HEIF, etc)^[3]

Reception

Pixelmator Pro was generally well-received by reviewers who praised its deep use of machine learning,^[7] fully macOS-native design,^[8] and relatively affordable one-time purchase compared to subscription software such as Adobe Photoshop.^[9] Some reviewers criticized that some features hard to find or hard to use.^[9][10] It was awarded Apple's Mac App of the Year in 2018.^[11]

Pixelmator Pro does not have support for panorama stitching.^[12]

Purchase by Apple

On November 1, 2024, the Pixelmator Team announced that they were to be acquired by Apple, subject to regulatory approval.^[13] 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.^[14]

Version History

Version	Codename	Release Date	Notable Changes	Ref(s)
1.0	Whirlwind	November 29, 2017	Initial release	[15]
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	[16][17]
1.2	Quicksilver	October 18, 2018	Added ML Enhance Batch processing with Automator Added light appearance Supports macOS Mojave	[18][19]
1.3	Prism	January 18, 2019	Added layer tagging, filters, and search Added clip masks	[20][21]
1.4	Hummingbird	July 23, 2019	Added extension for Apple Photos	[22][23]
1.5	Avalon	October 10, 2019	Supports macOS Catalina Added Sidecar support Added ML Noise Removal Performance improvements	[24][25]
1.6	Magenta	March 30, 2020	New color picker Notifies users if a font is missing from the system Performance improvements Added WebP support	[26][27]
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	[5]
1.8	Lynx	September 17, 2020	Added automation with AppleScript	[28]
2.0	Junipero	November 18, 2020	All-new design Support for macOS Big Sur and Apple silicon Macs Added ML Super	[29][30]
2.1	Coral	June 29, 2021	Added ML Crop Rewritten .PSD engine	[31][28]
2.2	Carmel	October 25, 2021	Supports macOS Monterey Supports Shortcuts	[32]
2.3	Abracadabra	November 23, 2021	Added AI-powered Magic Background Eraser and Select Subject Added Select and Mask tool Added export to Motion	[33][28]
2.4	Odesa	April 12, 2022	Added color adjustments layers Redesigned layers sidebar Added new vector shapes	[34]
3.0	Muse	September 22, 2022	Added 200+ design templates and 16 editable mockups Added AI-powered Smart Replace	[35][6]
3.1	Fortuna	November 2, 2022	Supports macOS Ventura Added AVIF support	[36]
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	[37][1][28]
3.3	Mosaic	February 28, 2023	Added Remove Color feature Added Shadow and Highlight Recovery Added Stroke Styles	[38][39]
3.4	Camelot	September 11, 2023	Added advanced PDF support Added Convert to PDF Shortcut	[40]
3.5	Flare	December 13, 2023	Full HDR support Full macOS Sonoma support	[41]
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

See also

• Adobe Photoshop
• Adobe Lightroom
• Affinity Photo
• Affinity Designer
• Pixelmator
• Pixelmator Classic
• List of 2D graphics software

References

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