How to use Pixlr X - Easy Graphic Design
TLDRIn this informative video, Jamie Keith from Teachers Tech guides viewers on how to use Pixlr X, an online graphic design tool. The tutorial covers the basics of using Pixlr X, starting with how to open and manipulate images, including resizing and rotating. It also explains how to work with layers, which is crucial for more complex designs. Jamie demonstrates adding images, frames, and outlines, as well as how to adjust the size and color of these elements. The video also touches on adding text with various styles and options, and the use of shapes and stickers, with a distinction made between free and premium features. Jamie highlights the importance of saving work in the proper format to maintain editability and layers. The transcript also covers advanced features like the history panel for undoing mistakes, the adjust and retouch tools for fine-tuning images, and the cutout feature for background removal. The video concludes with an exploration of the draw tool and the creative potential of Pixlr X for users of all levels, especially those using Chromebooks.
Takeaways
- 🎨 **Pixlr X Overview**: Jamie Keith introduces Pixlr X as an easy-to-use online graphic design tool with a free version and a 30-day trial for premium features.
- 📌 **Background Removal**: Pixlr X can quickly remove the background of an image, which is a feature Jamie demonstrated in a previous video.
- 💻 **Online Accessibility**: Pixlr X is accessible online, which is beneficial for educators and students, especially when using devices like Chromebooks.
- 📚 **Educator and Student Benefits**: Educators and students can get Pixlr for free, which is useful for teaching graphic design without the need for installations.
- 🔄 **Layers and Templates**: The tool features layers, which allow users to work with multiple images and maintain their individual editability.
- 🖼️ **Image Manipulation**: Users can easily resize, rotate, and adjust images within Pixlr X, providing flexibility in design composition.
- 📎 **Adding Elements**: Pixlr X allows for the addition of frames, text, and shapes to enhance the design, with options to customize size, color, and effects.
- 🌟 **Premium Features**: Premium users have access to additional features like advanced stickers and borders, which can be identified by a 'premium' label.
- ↔️ **Flip and Rotate**: Images can be flipped vertically or horizontally and rotated to correct orientation or for design purposes.
- ✂️ **Cutout Feature**: The cutout tool uses AI to swiftly remove backgrounds and allows for fine-tuning with brush, shape, and lasso tools.
- 🖌️ **Drawing and Effects**: The draw tool offers a variety of brushes, pen effects, and shapes to create custom illustrations and apply effects like blur and sharpen.
- ⏫ **Image Adjustments**: Pixlr X provides an 'Adjust' section for color, light, and detail modifications, including an AI-powered 'Auto' feature for quick fixes.
Q & A
What is Pixlr X?
-Pixlr X is an online graphic design tool that is easy to use and offers features such as background removal, image editing, and design creation.
How can one start using Pixlr X?
-To start using Pixlr X, you can visit the Pixlr X website and begin with either a 30-day trial or the completely free version. It's accessible online, so there's no need for installation.
What is the advantage of signing up for Pixlr X?
-Signing up for Pixlr X, even for the free version, allows users to access most of the features without ads, which can enhance the user experience.
Is there a special offer for educators or students to use Pixlr X?
-Yes, educators and students can actually get Pixlr X for free, which is useful for teaching graphic design without the need for installation on devices like Chromebooks.
How can one open an image in Pixlr X?
-You can open an image in Pixlr X by using the 'Open Image' option to find one from your computer, loading it from a URL by copying and pasting the image address, or simply dragging and dropping the image into the workspace.
What is the purpose of the 'Unlock' feature in Pixlr X?
-The 'Unlock' feature in Pixlr X allows users to make changes to the image once it's locked by default for protection. After unlocking, users can resize, rotate, and manipulate the image as needed.
How can users add text to their designs in Pixlr X?
-Users can add text to their designs in Pixlr X by selecting the 'Text' tool and clicking on the canvas where they want the text to appear. They can then customize the text's content, size, color, and other properties.
What is the 'Cutout' feature in Pixlr X used for?
-The 'Cutout' feature in Pixlr X is used to remove the background from an image, allowing users to isolate the subject of the image for use in other designs or compositions.
How can users save their work in Pixlr X?
-Users can save their work in Pixlr X by using the 'Save' option, which allows them to download the project as a Pixlr document, preserving all layers and editable features for future work.
What is the 'History' panel in Pixlr X used for?
-The 'History' panel in Pixlr X is used to track all the actions performed during the editing process. It allows users to go back and forth through their editing history, reverting changes or returning to a previous state if needed.
What is the 'Draw' tool in Pixlr X and how can it be used?
-The 'Draw' tool in Pixlr X is used for creating freehand drawings or adding shapes to a project. Users can select different brushes, adjust the size and softness of the brush, and choose from various colors to draw on the canvas.
Outlines
🎨 Introduction to Pixlr X for Graphic Design
Jamie Keith introduces viewers to Pixlr X, an online graphic design tool. He mentions a previous tutorial on background removal and emphasizes Pixlr X's ease of use. The video covers the 30-day trial and the free version's capabilities, including the absence of ads for paid subscribers. Jamie also highlights Pixlr's free access for educators and students, a feature he used in his teaching career. The paragraph concludes with a brief mention of Pixlr X's interface, including latest projects, templates, and collages.
📚 Working with Images and Layers in Pixlr X
The paragraph explains how to open and manipulate images in Pixlr X. It covers various methods of adding images, such as uploading from a computer, using a URL, or drag-and-drop. Jamie demonstrates resizing, rotating, and layering images. He also discusses the importance of saving work in Pixlr format to retain layers and editable features. The paragraph concludes with a mention of adding frames, adjusting outlines, and working with shadows.
🖼️ Adding Text and Shapes for Enhanced Design
Jamie showcases how to add text and shapes to a design in Pixlr X. He details the process of customizing text, including size, color, and alignment. The paragraph also covers adding preset text designs, changing shape styles, and adjusting their properties. Jamie emphasizes the importance of exploring all options and customizing them to fit the design needs. He also touches on saving work and the history feature, which allows users to undo and redo actions.
🌟 Utilizing Premium Features and Elements
This paragraph focuses on the differences between the free and premium versions of Pixlr X. Jamie demonstrates adding stickers and using premium elements, which are only available in the paid version. He also discusses the ability to resize the canvas and image, and the option to save work in various formats, emphasizing the loss of layers and transparency when saving as JPEG. The paragraph concludes with a mention of the 'Add Elements' feature, which includes additional options for premium users.
🔍 Image Adjustments and Retouching in Pixlr X
Jamie explains how to make adjustments and retouch images in Pixlr X. He covers the 'Adjust' menu, which includes options for color, light, details, and scene toning. The paragraph also introduces the 'Retouch' tools, such as healing, patch, clone stamp, blur, sharpen, dodge, and burn. Jamie demonstrates how to use these tools to enhance and correct images. The paragraph concludes with a brief mention of cropping and the 'Select Aspect' feature for maintaining aspect ratios.
✂️ Advanced Image Editing with Cutout and Liquify
The paragraph delves into advanced image editing features in Pixlr X, including the AI cutout tool for background removal and fine-tuning. Jamie also introduces the liquify tool for distorting images and the draw tool for creating new artwork. He discusses the various brush options, the pen tool, and the ability to add shapes to a canvas. The paragraph concludes with a recommendation to use the free version of Pixlr X for beginners and a teaser for a future video on more advanced features.
🖌️ Exploring Drawing Tools and Final Thoughts
Jamie concludes the tutorial by exploring the drawing tools in Pixlr X. He demonstrates how to use different brushes, the eraser, and the pen tool to create artwork directly on the canvas. The paragraph highlights the ability to adjust brush properties and add various shapes. Jamie emphasizes the fun and creativity that can be achieved with Pixlr X, especially on Chromebooks. He invites viewers to try the free version or the 30-day trial and looks forward to sharing more tech tips in future videos.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Pixlr X
💡Background Removal
💡Templates
💡Layers
💡Stock Images
💡Text Addition
💡Shapes
💡Cutout Feature
💡History Panel
💡Adjustments
💡Liquify Tool
Highlights
Pixlr X is an easy-to-use online graphic designer with a variety of features.
The platform allows for quick background removal from images using a simple drag-and-drop feature.
Pixlr X offers a 30-day trial, but most features are accessible even in the free version.
Educators and students can access Pixlr for free, making it a great tool for teaching graphic design.
The platform provides templates to save time and offers a starting point for various designs.
Users can open images from their computer, load from a URL, or drag and drop images into Pixlr X.
Images can be resized and rotated, with the option to maintain aspect ratio.
Pixlr X allows for layering of images, enabling users to control which elements are in front or behind.
The platform includes a history feature that lets users go back and forth through their editing steps.
Saving a project as a Pixlr document preserves layers for future editing.
The cutout feature uses AI to quickly remove backgrounds, with options to fine-tune the selection.
Users can add frames, shapes, and text to their images with various customization options.
The retouch tool includes options for healing, cloning, and blurring to edit images.
The liquify tool allows for creative adjustments like pushing, pulling, and distorting parts of an image.
The draw tool offers a range of brushes, erasers, and shapes for creating custom artwork.
Pixlr X supports creating blank documents with customizable canvas sizes and backgrounds.
The platform is particularly user-friendly on Chromebooks, requiring no installation for graphic design tasks.
Jamie Keith provides a comprehensive tutorial on using Pixlr X, showcasing its capabilities for teachers and students.