Pixlr Editor is a popular online photo editing tool that offers a wide range of features, making it suitable for both casual users and professionals. Its user-friendly interface and powerful tools make it a great choice for those looking to enhance their images.
What is Pixlr Editor
Pixlr Editor is a web-based photo editing application that provides a wide range of tools and features, catering to both beginners and more experienced users. It functions similarly to professional software like Adobe Photoshop, offering advanced capabilities such as layer management, image retouching, and a variety of filters. As an online tool, Pixlr Editor can be accessed from any device with an internet connection, making it highly convenient for quick edits without the need for installation.
It supports features like cropping, resizing, background removal, and even AI-powered enhancements. While there is a free version available, it includes ads and offers limited export options, with a premium version providing more advanced features and an ad-free experience. This makes Pixlr Editor a versatile and accessible option for photo editing, especially for users who want a powerful tool without the cost and complexity of professional software.
Key Features
User-Friendly Interface
The interface is intuitive and clean, allowing users to navigate and find tools easily. For those familiar with Photoshop, Pixlr has a similar layout, which can make transitioning easy.
Cross-Platform Accessibility
Since it’s web-based, Pixlr Editor can be accessed on any platform with an internet connection, including Windows, macOS, and even mobile devices. This makes it convenient for editing on the go without the need to download software.
Layer Support
One of Pixlr Editor’s standout features is its support for layers, which is essential for more advanced photo editing. Users can manage multiple layers, adjust transparency, blend modes, and create non-destructive edits.
Variety of Tools
Pixlr offers an array of tools, including selection tools, filters, adjustment layers (brightness, contrast, hue/saturation), and drawing tools. It also includes features like healing, clone stamp, and liquify, making it versatile for both photo retouching and graphic creation.
Free Version Available
The free version of Pixlr includes many powerful features, which is excellent for users who need a budget-friendly alternative to paid photo editing software like Adobe Photoshop.
AI-Powered Features
Pixlr has added AI tools like automatic background removal, making tasks like cutting out objects from backgrounds quick and easy, saving time for users.
Pixlr Editor and Pixlr Express
The Pixlr editor comes in two different versions to better resonate with the needs of the user. So let us dive right in and find out what these versions are all about.
Pixlr X (Express)
Pixlr X is an easy-to-use photo editing solution that allows you to make your images look creative and sophisticated with ease. This online photo editor version offers you a hassle-free image editing experience without having to learn the complexities.
Here are some of the things you should know about the Pixlr X.
- Easy resize, crop, flip and rotate feature.
- The auto-fix option automatically adjusts the color, light, contrast, tone, and hue of the image.
- Creative and fun effects and filters elevate your photos to the theme you like.
- Easy to learn and use.
- Ability to preview image changes before applying them permanently. You can also undo the edits according to your liking.
So basically, Pixlr X is a simple and effective solution for beginners who do not want to face a learning curve with complex tools.
Pixlr E (Editor)
Pixlr E on the other hand is a sophisticated and professional-level image editing solution that is used by content creators and professionals. If you want to edit your photos to the highest level and learn the principles of design, then Pixlr E is the version for you.
Just like Pixlr X, the Pixlr E is also available on a web browser. Here are some of the things you should know about the Pixlr E.
- More sophisticated and advanced tools than the Pixlr X.
- Just requires an internet connection and a web browser to use on the go.
- Special added features to bring your pictures to life.
- Amazing tools like Layers, Lasso, Cloning, brush, and much more.
- Liquify tool to add an extra sense of depth and distortion to your images.
- The ability to use stock images from the Pixlr E to use for edits.
How to edit a photo using Pixlr Editor
To get started with the Pixlr Editor,
Step 1: Go to Pixlr.com
Step 2: Now click on open the Pixlr editor shown in the middle of the webpage.
Step 3: Now you will get some options to upload the image you want to edit.
You can choose to,
- Create a new image.
- Open Image from Computer.
Step 4: Once the image is uploaded, you will find different options to choose from in the menu bar.
- There are options for you to crop, flip, rotate, or resize the photo on the image menu.
- In the layer menu, you can manage different layers of the project.
- The adjustment menu will let you adjust the color balance, levels, exposure, and other parts of the image.
- In the filter menu, you can choose different lighting filters to enhance your image.
Step 5: On the left side of the window, you will find the toolbar. You can simply hover your mouse on top of the toolbar to find out what that tool does.
Step 6: Once you are done with the edits, you can simply go to the File menu and save and download the edited image.
PROS and CONS
Pros
- High-quality image editing on virtually any device.
- Easy to understand and user-friendly UI.
- A massive number of tools and templates to use.
- Cost-effective image editing solution.
- Directly post from the Pixlr Editor.
Cons
- Needs more resources to showcase the basics of the software, although it is easy to learn.
- Supports only JPED file format.
Conclusion
Pixlr Editor is an excellent online photo editor, especially for casual users, hobbyists, or those who need a powerful yet affordable editing tool. While it may not match up to the depth of Photoshop, it offers a fantastic alternative for many common photo-editing tasks, especially for users who value ease of use, accessibility, and affordability.