Pixelmator Pro 2.4 gets an update!

Pixelmator Pro 2.4 was recently released.

You can read more here. This version adds tons of new stuff, including color adjustments and effects layers.

Pixelmator Pro is always my recommendation for people who need a Photoshop-like tool, but without getting a degree in Photoshop or buying a monthly Creative Cloud subscription.

Pixelmator seems like it gets easier to use every update. It’s wild how much power they pack into an interface that is inspired by Photoshop workflows, but immediately accessible anyone who has used a personal computer.

My favorite features of Pixelmator Pro in recent years include:

• One-click machine learning feature which can remove things from the background or foreground, and sharpen low-quality images
• Shortcuts support (which can automatically batch edit images on my computer, generate my podcast show art, and more)
• It’s easy to use interface

Check it out on the Mac App Store.

Adobe Illustrator Comes to the iPad

From MacStories…

Adobe MAX Kicks Off with Illustrator for iPad, Photoshop, Lightroom, and Fresco Updates for iPad, Plus the Addition of Fresco for iPhone - MacStories

This year the announcements at MAX are no different. I’ve tried all of the apps discussed below that Adobe is releasing or updating for the iPad and iPhone this year to one degree or another, including spending the past few weeks using the beta version of Adobe’s latest pro iPad app, Illustrator. My artistic skills don’t do Illustrator justice, but from what I’ve seen from my testing the past few weeks and demos by Adobe, Illustrator is a remarkably powerful vector drawing app that takes a truly innovative approach to the app that should still be familiar to desktop users, but is designed first and foremost around touch interactions. Adobe has also released Fresco for the iPhone and some substantial new features to both Photoshop and Lightroom.

One more “pro” app from the creative industry finally comes to the iPad. I am enthusiastic about this though I have not used Illustrator in years. I am tempted to say that Adobe’s efforts on iPad (Photoshop came out last year) are too little too late, but the reality is, these apps are just not for people like me in most cases. If you are a professional using this software to get your work done, it is worth Adobe’s subscription. If you work for a large company doing design, I imagine the cost is even covered for you.

Unless you are really comfortable with Illustrator, I don’t feel like I can recommend this app for designing things. I started learning Affinity Designer this past summer which is an amazing competitor to both the Mac and iOS versions of Illustrator. It is easier to use and more “Apple-like” in many ways. If you need the power of an app like this, I recommend checking out Affinity Designer. It is very frequently on sale for prices as low as 30 dollars.

Another program I use for a lot of my design is OmniGraffle which is by the OmniGroup, the same people who create OmniFocus. It feels as close to using one of the iWork apps as I have seen for a vector-based design app. Its simplicity has vastly sped up my work making graphics for my website/podcast, school music program, seating charts, and more.

🔗 Affinity Photo for iPad, great Photoshop competitor, is 50 percent off

For anyone looking for a serious photo editing power tool, Affinity Photo can’t be beat. Click here to take advantage of the deal.

I presume this is happening because Photoshop for iPad finally launched this week. Photoshop comes as part of one of Adobe’s Creative Cloud subscription plans. My wife and I subscribe to Creative Cloud because she uses Illustrator for design work (Illustrator was recently announced to be coming to the iPad next year).

That being said, I think there is very little reason to use Photoshop over a one time purchase like Affinity unless you are …

a. really familiar with the features and interface of Photoshop

b. depend on sharing PSD files with others in a professional or collaborative environment

Affinity Photo is a great catch. Pick it up if you are looking for a mobile based photo editing tool!