Full Guide to Pixlr X - Free Online Photo Editor

iPhotography
5 Mar 202148:01

TLDRThis iPhotography guide introduces Pixlr X, a free online photo editor. It covers basic features like opening images, resizing, and rotating, to advanced tools such as layers, cutouts, adjustments, filters, and effects. The tutorial also highlights the importance of applying changes before saving, making it an essential resource for new users.

Takeaways

  • 🌐 Pixlr X is a free online photo editor accessible within the iPhotography website.
  • 🔍 Users can find Pixlr in the 'resources' section under 'Pixlr Editor' in the menu bar.
  • 🎨 The interface of Pixlr is user-friendly, with a simple layout and various editing tools.
  • 🖼️ The 'Open' feature allows users to upload images directly from their computer.
  • 🛠️ The toolbar on the left provides essential editing tools with hover-over information for guidance.
  • 📏 The 'Properties' tab enables resizing and canvas adjustments, including anchor point positioning.
  • 🎨 'Layers' on the right side offer the ability to stack images or text, similar to Photoshop.
  • 🔄 The 'Arrange' tab is useful for editing and moving layers, with options like 'Unlock' for layer manipulation.
  • ✂️ The 'Cutout' tool helps in removing backgrounds or trimming objects within individual layers.
  • 🖌️ The 'Adjustment' tools provide options for color, exposure, and other image enhancements.
  • 🌟 'Effects' are preset options that can change the look and feel of an image with a single click.

Q & A

  • What is Pixlr X?

    -Pixlr X is a free online photo editor built within the iPhotography website. It offers a range of tools and features for editing images.

  • How can I access Pixlr X on the iPhotography website?

    -You can access Pixlr X by finding it in the menu bar under the 'Resources' section, labeled as 'Pixlr Editor'.

  • What are some basic features available in Pixlr X for image editing?

    -Basic features in Pixlr X include resizing images, adjusting canvas size, rotating and flipping images, and changing the background color of the canvas.

  • How can I open an image in Pixlr X?

    -To open an image in Pixlr X, press the 'Open' button and select the image file from your computer.

  • What is the purpose of the 'Properties' button in Pixlr X?

    -The 'Properties' button in Pixlr X allows users to resize the image, change the canvas size, and adjust the position of the image on the canvas.

  • How can I use layers in Pixlr X?

    -In Pixlr X, you can use layers to stack multiple images or text. You can add new layers by pressing the plus icon and choose to create a new layer with an image or text.

  • What is the 'Arrange' tab used for in Pixlr X?

    -The 'Arrange' tab in Pixlr X is used for working with layers, allowing users to unlock, resize, move, and rotate images within the canvas area.

  • How can I crop an image in Pixlr X?

    -To crop an image in Pixlr X, use the 'Crop' tool. You can type in specific pixel dimensions or drag the boundary box to select the area you want to keep and then press 'Apply'.

  • What is the 'Cutout' tool in Pixlr X used for?

    -The 'Cutout' tool in Pixlr X is used to remove backgrounds, cut out objects, or trim them down on individual layers. It includes options like AI cutout, magic cutout, and manual selection tools.

  • How can I adjust the exposure, contrast, and other basic settings of an image in Pixlr X?

    -You can adjust the exposure, contrast, and other basic settings using the 'Adjust' tools in Pixlr X. This includes options for brightness, contrast, highlights, shadows, and more.

  • What are the 'Effects' in Pixlr X and how can they be used?

    -The 'Effects' in Pixlr X are pre-made presets that change the look and feel of a bitmap layer. They can be applied with a single click and adjusted for density to create various visual effects on the image.

  • How can I add text or drawings to an image in Pixlr X?

    -In Pixlr X, you can add text or drawings by using the 'Drawing' or 'Text' tools. It's recommended to add these on a separate layer to easily adjust their position, color, and other properties later.

  • What is the 'Add Element' feature in Pixlr X and how can it be used?

    -The 'Add Element' feature in Pixlr X allows users to add special effects like overlays, borders, shapes, and stickers to their images. These elements can be free or premium and can be adjusted for transparency and position.

  • How can I save my edited image in Pixlr X?

    -After editing your image in Pixlr X, press 'Apply' to save the changes you've made in each tool or panel. When you're ready to save the final project, press 'Save' in the bottom corner.

Outlines

00:00

🖼️ Introduction to Pixlr Editor

The speaker introduces the Pixlr editor, a free online tool integrated within the iPhotography website. They guide new users on how to find and access Pixlr from the menu bar under 'Resources'. The interface is described as simple and user-friendly, with a variety of features for editing images. The tutorial covers basic navigation, including opening images, using the toolbar, and understanding layers and properties for adjustments like resizing and rotating images.

05:01

🎨 Exploring Pixlr's Features and Adjustments

This paragraph delves into the specific features of Pixlr, such as the properties tab for resizing and canvas adjustments, the arrange tab for layer manipulation, and the use of blend modes with multiple layers. The speaker demonstrates how to add new layers with images or text, adjust transparency, and explore various blending options. They also discuss the ability to duplicate and delete layers, as well as the crop tool's flexibility and the aspect ratio presets for different social media platforms.

10:01

🔍 Advanced Image Manipulation with Cutout Tools

The speaker introduces advanced tools for image manipulation, focusing on the cutout feature in Pixlr. They discuss the AI cutout as a premium feature and demonstrate its basic functionality. The paragraph also covers shape cutouts, magic cutout, and manual selection tools like the brush, lasso, and other methods to refine image selections. The importance of tolerance levels in selection accuracy and the non-destructive nature of these editing tools are highlighted.

15:01

🌄 Adjusting Image Properties for Optimal Results

This section focuses on the adjustment tools in Pixlr, which allow for fine-tuning of images. The speaker explains the auto fix feature and then moves on to describe manual adjustments such as black and white editing, color sliders for vibrance and saturation, and color balance. They also cover basic adjustments like exposure, contrast, and working with highlights and shadows to enhance the image's overall appearance.

20:02

🖌️ Creative Effects and Filters in Pixlr

The speaker presents the filter options in Pixlr, which include effects like sharpening, smoothing, blurring, and adding grain to images. They demonstrate how these filters can be applied to enhance details or create stylistic effects. The paragraph also touches on scene-specific tools like vignettes, dehaze, bloom, and the glamour tool, which are useful for various types of photography.

25:04

🎭 Fun and Artistic Effects with Pixlr

This paragraph explores the creative side of Pixlr's effects panel, which offers a range of presets for altering the look and feel of images. The speaker discusses the ease of applying these effects and adjusting their intensity. They provide examples of different categories like retro, artsy, and nature presets, and encourage experimentation with the various options available.

30:05

📌 Liquify Tool for Distortion Effects

The liquify tool in Pixlr is introduced as a powerful feature for distorting images, which can be used for flattering portraits or creating humorous effects. The speaker explains the various options available, such as push, skew, shrink, and swirl, and demonstrates how they can be applied to create different visual effects. The paragraph emphasizes the creative potential of this tool.

35:06

🛠️ Retouch Panel for Image Refinement

The retouch panel in Pixlr is highlighted for making minor adjustments to images. The speaker discusses the heal and repair functions, which are useful for removing blemishes, and the dodge and burn tools for adding contrast. They also mention the sharpen and blur tools, as well as the more localized adjustments that can be made with these features.

40:06

✍️ Drawing and Text Tools for Creative Input

This section covers the drawing and text tools in Pixlr, which can be used to add creative elements to images. The speaker explains how to use the brush, eraser, pen, and shape tools, as well as how to add and customize text. They advise using separate layers for these additions to facilitate easy adjustments and positioning.

45:07

🌐 Adding Elements for Enhanced Design

The final paragraph introduces the 'add element' feature in Pixlr, which allows users to incorporate overlays, borders, shapes, and stickers to their images. The speaker discusses both free and premium elements and demonstrates how they can be added and customized. They also mention the 'add image' function for incorporating additional images into a project.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Pixlr X

Pixlr X is a free online photo editor that allows users to edit images through a web browser without the need for desktop software. It is the central theme of the video, which aims to guide users through its features and capabilities. The script mentions it as being 'built within the iphotography website,' highlighting its accessibility and integration with online resources.

💡Interface

The term 'interface' in the context of the video refers to the user-friendly layout and design of Pixlr X, which is described as 'super simple and really easy to use.' It is the visual and interactive part of the software that users engage with to perform various photo editing tasks.

💡Toolbar

The 'toolbar' is a key component of the Pixlr X interface, as it contains most of the tools used during the photo editing process. Hovering over the tools in the toolbar provides users with information on their functions, as mentioned in the script, which aids in navigating the features of the editor.

💡Layers

In the video, 'layers' are a fundamental concept in photo editing, allowing users to stack multiple images or text on top of each other. This feature is likened to that of Photoshop, emphasizing the advanced capabilities of Pixlr X for more complex editing tasks.

💡Properties

'Properties' in the script refers to a set of options within Pixlr X that enable users to adjust specific characteristics of an image, such as resizing or rotating. The video explains how to use the properties tab to change the image size or canvas size, which is crucial for preparing images for various uses or designs.

💡Canvas

The 'canvas' is the surface on which the image is placed in Pixlr X. The video script explains how users can adjust the canvas size to add borders or extra space around the image, which can be particularly useful for design purposes.

💡Blend Modes

Blend modes in the video are described as options that only come into play when using multiple layers. They determine how different layers interact with each other, affecting the final appearance of the image. The script mentions various blend modes like 'multiply' and 'screen,' which are essential for creating unique visual effects.

💡Crop Tool

The 'crop tool' in Pixlr X, as explained in the script, allows users to trim their images to specific dimensions or aspect ratios. It's a fundamental tool for adjusting the composition of a photo or preparing images for specific display formats.

💡Cutout

The 'cutout' feature in Pixlr X is used to remove backgrounds or trim down objects within an image. The video demonstrates different cutout options, including AI cutout and various shape cutouts, which are vital for creating focus on specific image elements or preparing images for different backgrounds.

💡Adjustment Tools

The 'adjustment tools' in the video are a suite of options that allow users to modify the color, exposure, and contrast of their images. These tools, such as 'brightness,' 'contrast,' and 'color balance,' are essential for enhancing the visual appeal and correcting the lighting and color of photos.

💡Effects Panel

The 'effects panel' in Pixlr X offers a range of preset effects that can be applied to images with a single click. The video script describes how these effects can change the look and feel of a photo, providing examples such as 'retro effects' and 'night vision,' which can be used to create specific moods or styles in the final image.

💡Liquify Tool

The 'liquify tool' in the script is a feature that allows for the distortion of parts of an image, which can be used for creative effects or to modify certain areas of a photo in a non-destructive way. It's demonstrated in the video as a way to add humor or flatter portraits by pushing, twisting, or shrinking parts of the image.

💡Retouch Panel

The 'retouch panel' in Pixlr X is a set of tools designed for making minor corrections and enhancements to images. The video mentions 'heal' and 'repair' as key features within this panel, which are used to remove blemishes or imperfections in photos, such as spots on a petal of a flower.

💡Drawing and Text Tools

The 'drawing and text tools' in the video are used for adding creative elements to images, such as drawings, shapes, or text. The script explains how to use these tools to create custom designs or to enhance the visual appeal of an image, with options to adjust color, size, and opacity.

💡Add Element

The 'add element' feature in Pixlr X allows users to incorporate additional design elements like overlays, borders, shapes, and stickers into their images. The video script describes these as special effects that can be added as new layers to create a more design-led or festive look.

💡Add Image

'Add image' is a function in Pixlr X that enables users to incorporate more images into their project. The script illustrates how to add images from a local directory, a URL, or even use stock images from a linked website, emphasizing the flexibility and resourcefulness of the editor.

Highlights

Introduction to Pixlr X, a free online photo editor integrated within the iPhotography website.

Easy access to Pixlr Editor through the menu bar under the resources section.

Overview of Pixlr's interface and its user-friendly design for non-Photoshop or Lightroom users.

Demonstration of how to open an image and navigate the expanded interface.

Explanation of the toolbar's functions and tools available for image editing.

Guide on resizing images and adjusting pixel dimensions for specific requirements.

How to change canvas size and reposition the image within the canvas.

Use of rotation and flip tools to adjust image orientation.

Customization of canvas background color and the use of presets and color pickers.

Introduction to the layers feature for stacking images and text.

Explanation of blend modes and their application when using multiple layers.

Adjusting layer transparency to create soft effects between images.

Cropping tool usage for precise image framing and aspect ratio selection.

Utilization of the cutout tool for background removal and object selection.

AI cutout feature demonstration and its premium version availability.

Creative use of shape cutouts for designing images with specific shapes.

Manual selection techniques using the lasso tool for detailed image editing.

Adjustment tools for color, exposure, and contrast fine-tuning.

Application of effects and filters to enhance images with various presets.

Liquify tool for distortion effects in images, useful for portraits and creative edits.

Retouch panel for minor tweaks like blemish removal and局部调整.

Drawing and text tools for adding creative elements to images.

Add element feature for special effects like overlays, borders, and stickers.

Add image functionality for combining multiple images in a project.

Final reminder to apply and save changes after editing with Pixlr X.