I’ve been using Pixelmator for a long time, now. It has been deemed a good alternative to Adobe Photoshop for Mac users, and for the most part, I have to agree.
When you consider that Pixelmator will cost you $30—I got it for $15 while it was still version 1, now they’re on to version 3—and Photoshop will cost you $10 per month, you can understand that Photoshop will come with features and options that Pixelmator just doesn’t offer.
Since I started using Adobe’s Creative Cloud, I’ve had a chance to use both apps a great deal and have learned that both have something to offer.
Pixelmator
Pixelmator is packed full of awesome presets. It’s a fairly light app and it’s my go-to for making quick blog post graphic images, complicated crops and resizes. I mostly like it for the built-in effects and photo manipulation. It cuts the usual Photoshop learning curve down a lot, making it super easy for someone without a lot of Photoshop knowledge to crank out some good looking stuff.
But it has its limits.
And because of these limits, Pixelmator may not be a good Photoshop alternative for you, depending on how you want to use it. Here’s something that I’ve found to be a profound difference between the two apps.
Why Pixelmator Isn’t a Photoshop Alternative
[Note: To see the difference in resolution, you may need to jump on YouTube and watch this video in fullscreen—or just trust that I am telling you the truth.]
Like I said in the video, before I start a project, I think of which app would be best and open it accordingly. I would not get rid of Pixelmator—and I would be really sad to say goodbye to Photoshop.
Photoshop
Photoshop is seriously powerful. Like comparing Pages to Word, you need to understand what ‘level’ or ‘depth’ you’re going to need. For most users, the lower price point solution will suit them fine, but if you’re going to need serious tools for serious work, be prepared to pay for it.
For quite a few years I had several Adobe alternatives, but in the end, investing—rather, renting—in the Creative Cloud made the most sense for me so now I have both. Each app brings its strengths and weaknesses to the table, it’s figuring out what strengths and weaknesses fit you best that should ultimately be the deciding factor.
Jonathan Ober says
The reason this works in Photoshop and not pixelmator is Photoshop Objects v. Raster images. If you brought in that file to photoshop not as a shape layer (or whatever the name is) but rasterized it and did the resize you would notice the difference. In Pixelmator just bring in the original and duplicate the layer and only resize the one until you get a final look you want then take the original and resize that to the final sized version. It’s not ideal, but until Pixelmator adopts something like Smart Objects that are non-destructive then this is the workflow.
Eric Dye says
True story.
And while not the most ideal, that’s a great workaround! Thank you, Jonathan. 🙂
Chandos says
I looooove Pixelmator. I’ll agree it’s missing a few things to make it as powerful as PS. But so far it’s done everything I need it to. The only thing I really miss are adjustment layers, but with a little creativity, I can usually fake what I need.
I have occasionally run into the issue you mention in the video, which is definitely a pain. My sort of workaround is to duplicate layers that need sizing and turning off the original. Not the best, but a fix.
One thing that helps make up for that is how easy Pixelmator handles shapes. Not that Adobe stuff can’t do shapes well, I just appreciate how easy it is in Pixelmator. That and the effects(so much easier!).
One complaint…who’s idea was it to make the Transform shortcut cmd+F….Out of habit I hit cmd+T and it brings up the fonts. Who wants that!?
Jonathan Ober says
The Cmd+T gets me every time and the reason it’s fonts that comes up is because Pixelmator uses the builtin Apple stuff and fonts is cmd+t for more of their apps, think Mail.app or Pages.app.
Eric Dye says
LOL! Me, too! I did this again, today.
I agree, Chandos, Pixelmator does some of that much easier than Photoshop. It’s a simpler app and I love that about it.
I am happy to have both apps, that way I can enjoy each of their streangths. I’ve even used both apps on the same project! 😀
Jonathan Ober says
not sure if you saw, but today they just launched their iPad app. I downloaded it but haven’t been able to play yet with it.
Eric Dye says
Game to write a review after you play with it?
Jack says
From all I’ve read about Pixelmator and Photoshop, the former is far easier to use, particularly for a novice. Photoshop comes with lots of features and lots of complexity. Features no novice would likely ever miss, and would gladly sacrifice for simplicity.
As for the resizing example, I’m reminded of the old joke: “Dr., it hurts when I do this. –– Then don’t do that.”
Scott says
I’m not sure Photoshop clinging to Smart Objects makes it worth the extra subscription price over a one time $30 price though. For instances like this, even to this day in Photoshop I tend to set up a layer folder called “// Originals” or something where I keep the original size in case I need to reference it (sometimes I place as pixels instead of smart objects because I’m a creature of habit). Sure, extra file size bloat, but same for my wallet.