Pixelmator Classic
Raster graphics editor
title: "Pixelmator Classic" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["raster-graphics-editors", "macos-graphics-software", "macos-only-software", "proprietary-software"] description: "Raster graphics editor" topic_path: "technology/operating-systems" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pixelmator_Classic" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0
::summary Raster graphics editor ::
::data[format=table title="Infobox software"]
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| name | Pixelmator Classic |
| logo | Pixelmator Classic Icon.png |
| screenshot | Pixelmator Mac Screenshot.png |
| screenshot size | 250px |
| caption | Pixelmator Classic running on OS X Yosemite |
| developer | Pixelmator Team Ltd. |
| released | |
| discontinued | yes |
| operating system | macOS |
| replaced_by | Pixelmator Pro |
| genre | Raster graphics editor |
| license | Proprietary |
| website | |
| :: |
| name = Pixelmator Classic | logo = Pixelmator Classic Icon.png | screenshot = Pixelmator Mac Screenshot.png | screenshot size = 250px | caption = Pixelmator Classic running on OS X Yosemite | developer = Pixelmator Team Ltd. | released = | discontinued = yes | operating system = macOS | replaced_by = Pixelmator Pro | genre = Raster graphics editor | license = Proprietary | website =
Pixelmator Classic is a raster graphic editor developed for macOS by Pixelmator Team, and built upon a combination of open-source and macOS technologies. Pixelmator features selection, painting, retouching, navigation, and color correction tools; as well as layers-based image editing, GPU-powered image processing, color management, automation, and a transparent head-up display user interface for work with images. Pixelmator Classic uses Core Image and OpenGL technologies that use the Mac's video card for image processing.
Pixelmator Classic was the first commercial image editor to fully support the WebP image format on Mac.
Pixelmator Classic no longer receives updates and is no longer available on the Mac App Store with the company recommending customers to upgrade to Pixelmator Pro.
Features
- Uses technologies like Core Image and Automator.
- Photoshop images with layers are supported as well as other popular still image file formats.
- Uses layers-based editing.
- Over 40 tools for selecting, cropping, painting, retouching, typing, measuring and navigation.
- Shape tools.
- 16 color correction tools and over 50 filters.
- Integrates with macOS and applications such as Photos and Aperture.
- Pictures can be taken with a FaceTime camera from within the app.
- Quick file conversion can be done with the help of Automator actions.
- macOS ColorSync and ColorSync profiles are supported.
- Support for macOS features such as versions, auto save, and full screen mode.
- Compatibility with macOS Catalina, including support for Sidecar (a dual-screen tool for iPad users) and Apple Pencil as of version 1.5 (released October 10, 2019).
- Editing video adjustments like colors, masks, and effects similar to how photos are edited.
Limitations
Pixelmator Classic doesn't support image stitching for multi-exposure HDR capture, focus stacking, or panoramic photography.
Version history
::data[format=table]
| Version | Codename | Release date | Significant changes | Notes | Citations |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.0 | Firestarter | September 25, 2007 | Pixelmator 1.0 was released at a price of $59 (US). A closed beta was earlier released on August 16, 2007. | ||
| 1.1 | Kitten | December 6, 2007 | |||
| 1.2 | Draftsman | May 12, 2008 | Includes some often requested features, like the Curve tool, Polygonal, Lasso Tool, Rulers, Guides and the ability to display an alignment grid. | ||
| 1.3 | Tempo | November 4, 2008 | More stability and improvements for working with large images. New features include click-and-drag for adjusting the tolerance of the Magic Wand, Paint bucket and the new Magic Eraser tool on the fly. Renewed the Hue and Saturation, Replace Color and Colorize palettes. Better Stroking capabilities with live preview were added. Besides the previously available English and German languages, it added French and Spanish. | ||
| 1.4 | Sprinkle | February 23, 2009 | This version introduced a new painting engine and the possibility for more advanced brush creation. Support for importing Photoshop brushes is also included. A new cloud generation filter made its way into Pixelmator in 1.4, and a noise filter in 1.4.1. | ||
| 1.5 | Spider | September 8, 2009 | New features include the ability to save for web, send to Mail/iPhoto, trimming, info labels and Italian language support, released less than two weeks prior to this update. | ||
| 1.6 | Nucleus | July 13, 2010 | Introduces layer groups and integration with OS X's Image Capture app for importing images from cameras and scanners. Older OS X versions are no longer supported. | ||
| 2.0 | Chameleon | October 27, 2011 | Improved support for Mac OS X Lion features like Auto Save and Versions. | ||
| 2.1 | Cherry | August 9, 2012 | |||
| 2.2 | Blueberry | May 8, 2013 | More than 100 new features and improvements. | ||
| 3.0 | FX | October 22, 2013 | Supports the OS X's technologies App Nap and Compressed Memory. Pixelmator is more responsive and power efficient. | ||
| 3.1 | Marble | January 21, 2014 | This version uses the most out of the dual workstation-class GPUs built into the new Mac Pro. | ||
| 3.2 | Sandstone | May 22, 2014 | The new Repair tool is also more memory efficient. Other improvements, UI enhancements, and stability and reliability fixes. | ||
| 3.3 | Limestone | November 6, 2014 | Improvements and fixes to stability and reliability. | ||
| 3.4 | Twist | October 15, 2015 | Bug fixes. | ||
| 3.5 | Canyon | May 26, 2016 | Tutorial page on website. | ||
| 3.6 | Cordillera | November 15, 2016 | |||
| 3.7 | Mount Whitney | October 6, 2017 | |||
| 3.8 | Phoenix | November 30, 2018 | |||
| 3.9 | Classic | November 13, 2019 | |||
| :: |
References
References
- (February 25, 2010). "Web Development with the Mac". John Wiley and Sons.
- Hutsko, Joe. (December 14, 2009). "Macs All-in-One For Dummies". For Dummies.
- Biedny, David. (July 2008). "Lackluster Image Editor". [[Mac Life]].
- Chartier, David. (October 4, 2010). "Pixelmator to add support for Google's WebP image format". [[Macworld]].
- (October 6, 2010). "Pixelmator 1.6.2 Adds WebP Support".
- Team, Pixelmator. "Upgrade to Pixelmator Pro - Pixelmator".
- Mayo, Benjamin. (2019-10-10). "Pixelmator Pro adds rich support for Sidecar in macOS Catalina, the new Mac Pro, and adds a new Denoise tool".
- "Pixelmator Pro 3.2 with video support is available today".
- Radulescu, Monica. (2021-03-26). "Affinity Photo vs. Pixelmator Pro: Which should you choose?".
- (September 25, 2007). "Pixelmator Team Releases Pixelmator".
- (July 20, 2007). "Pixelmator Development Update".
- (December 6, 2007). "Pixelmator Team Releases Pixelmator 1.1 Kitten".
- (May 12, 2008). "Pixelmator Team Releases Pixelmator 1.2 Draftsman".
- (November 4, 2008). "New Goodies in 1.3 Tempo".
- (February 23, 2009). "Pixelmator 1.4 Sprinkle Goodies".
- (September 8, 2009). "Pixelmator Team Releases Pixelmator 1.5 Spider".
- (July 13, 2010). "Pixelmator Team Releases Pixelmator 1.6 Nucleus".
- (October 27, 2011). "Pixelmator 2.0 Launches on Mac App Store".
- (August 9, 2012). "Pixelmator Adds Support for OS X Mountain Lion".
- (July 18, 2012). "Vintage Effect in Pixelmator 2.1 Cherry".
- (May 8, 2013). "Pixelmator 2.2 Is Available Today from the Mac App Store".
- (October 22, 2013). "Pixelmator Team Unveils Pixelmator 3.0 FX".
- (January 23, 2014). "Pixelmator 3.1 Marble Fully Optimized for New Mac Pro". Pixelmator.
- (May 22, 2014). "Pixelmator 3.2 Sandstone Is Now Available on the Mac App Store".
- Team, Pixelmator. "Pixelmator 3.3 Limestone Out Now - Pixelmator Blog".
- Team, Pixelmator. "New Pixelmator for Mac and iPad Updates - Pixelmator Blog".
- (May 26, 2016). "Pixelmator 3.5 Canyon is Out".
- (November 15, 2016). "Pixelmator 3.6 Cordillera".
- (October 6, 2017). "Pixelmator 3.7 Mount".
- (November 30, 2018). "Pixelmator 3.8 Mount".
- (November 13, 2019). "Pixelmator 3.9 Classic".
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