r/pixelmator

The Creator Studio seems like a pretty sweet deal, but with so many subscriptions going around, it's hard to manage my monthly spendings. I'm aware that the standalone version of Pixelmator may never get any updates again, but even as-is, it has everything I need (I only need it for photo editing). And, I never have to think about paying for it again.

Still, do you think I made a mistake

Hi all, I have seen a lot of questions lately about the differences between the new creator studio version and the legacy perpetual license version of Pixelmator Pro. I have both, so I wanted to offer to serve as a resource for people who have questions. The caveat is that I am new to the Creator version so it may take me a while to check it out, but if you have questions ask me and I can explore.

I've had Pixelmator Pro for a few years now, and I very recently signed up for Creator Studio out of curiosity to see what is new.

The first important note is that for some apps, Creator Studio replaces your legacy version, but for others, it creates a new app alongside the old one, for now at least. For example, for Pages, Numbers and Keynote, if you try to open the old version after signing up for the subscription, it just opens a window saying "the old version is out of date and can be deleted".

But for some apps, including Pixelmator Pro and also Final Cut Pro and Compressor, you get the new version of the app and you still have the old version as a separate functioning app. So right now for example if I right click an image file and go to the "open with" sub menu, I see an option for Pixelmator Pro 3.8 (the legacy version) and Pixelmator 4.2 (the creator studio version). Both of these apps work fine as independent from one another.

The first time you open Pixelmator Pro after signing up, it asks you if you want to import all your settings and preferences. (Same in Final Cut).

This is important because it means that there is no short term disruption to your editing workflows. You can continue to use Pixelmator 3.8 while you get used to 4.2, which is what I am doing so far.

In terms of new or different UI or features, the UI is different but everything is still where you expect it, pretty much.

There is a new tool in 4.2 called "warp" which, confusingly, shares the same name as a feature that is in 3.8 that is also called warp. In 4.2, that old "warp" tool has been renamed to "distort". The new "warp" tool in 4.2 applies warping effects to the entire image instead of using a brush. Sort of like a keystone effect, but with more options.

I think there may be some other new features that I haven't explored yet but I can update as I do.

If you have any questions please ask away!