Pixelmator Professional is a Mac-based software that boasts all the ability you’d count on from an expert degree picture modifying software program. At a fraction of the worth of its competitors, and a free 15 day trial, Pixelmator Professional is a superb possibility for any photographer trying to edit their photographs.
One among my favorite options of Pixelmator Professional is the implementation of layers of their workspace. A workflow utilizing layers let you stack layers on prime of each other different in a non-destructive method. This implies you’ll be able to return to the edit and alter any layer with none deterioration to the picture high quality.
Let me present you the way I exploit layers in Pixelmator Professional.
Use Layers in Pixelmator Professional
Make Layers Seen
Open a picture in Pixelmator Professional.
Now, we’ll have to make Layers seen. Go to View > Present Layers to show the Layers menu.
Discover the Layers menu is now displayed on the left hand aspect of the workspace.
Create Adjustment Layers
Probably the most sensible use of layers in a photographer’s workflow can be Adjustment Layers. Let me present you easy methods to create these, and easy methods to implement them into a photograph modifying workflow.
Click on on Insert > Colour Changes.
Take a look at the Layers menu, and you will notice that you have now created a Colour Changes Layer.
Now that we’re setup and able to make some edits on this new layer, let me present you easy methods to actually use layers to your benefit.
Utilizing Adjustment Layers in a Photograph Edit
As a substitute of doing your entire changes on a single Colour Changes layer, let’s make simply one adjustment per adjustment layer. We’ll create a brand new adjustment layer for every adjustment we would prefer to make. Let me present you what I imply.
First, I am going to make my primary picture changes corresponding to publicity, distinction, highlights, and so on. These are all within the Lightness sub-menu of the Colour Changes menu.
Discover on the lefthand aspect, in Layers menu, the place the Colour Changes Layer shows, it now exhibits ‘Lightness‘ beneath the layer. That is displaying the contents of that adjustment layer.
Let’s create one other Colour Changes Layer and add on some color grading. Go to Insert > Colour Changes Layer.
On this second Colour Changes Layer, I’ll have an effect on the Colour Steadiness. Once more, discover how this Colour Changes Layer exhibits ‘Colour Steadiness‘ beneath, as this adjustment is on this adjustment layer.
You possibly can proceed this as many occasions as you want with as many alternative changes as you’ll be able to consider. As I discussed off the highest, working with layers is non-destructive, which suggests you’ll be able to come again at any time and refine your changes.
Moreover, you’ll be able to click on the little yellow checkmark subsequent to the layer title to cover that layer, thus hiding these layer changes. Moreover, you’ll be able to change the opacity of any layer at any time to lower the proportion of visibility to the layer.
All of this flexibility permits you the liberty to check out a brand new modifying fashion or simply merely return to an edit with recent eyes and proceed to refine an edit.
I hope this has helped you to know how one can work with layers in Pixelmator Professional, and the ability and ease of implementing this modifying workflow into your life!