NEW Pixlr E Tutorial! (Beginners Guide)

Ice Kickz
26 Mar 202017:39

TLDRIn this beginner's guide to the new Pixlr E, you'll learn the basics of using the updated version of Pixlr to create stunning graphics and thumbnails. The tutorial covers essential features like saving projects, using stock images, adjusting image settings, adding layers, and customizing text. The video also highlights new functionalities such as automatic project saving, easy font addition, and various adjustment tools to enhance image quality. Perfect for beginners, this guide will help you get started with Pixlr E and improve your graphic design skills for social media and other platforms.

Takeaways

  • 😊 Welcome back to the channel! Today's video is a beginners' guide to Pixlr E.
  • 🎥 The tutorial will cover the basics of Pixlr E, ideal for those who have watched previous tutorials using the old Pixlr.
  • 🆕 The new Pixlr E has several new features compared to the old version, which is no longer available.
  • 💾 Pixlr E automatically saves your project history, making it easy to return to previous work.
  • 🔍 The stock search feature allows you to find free stock images for your projects, which was not available in the old Pixlr.
  • 🖼️ You can create new projects with default settings or customize dimensions and background colors easily.
  • 🎨 The adjustment tools like hue/saturation and brightness/contrast help you enhance and modify your images.
  • 🔠 Adding text is simplified, and you can easily import custom fonts from dafont.com.
  • ✏️ You can rasterize text to convert it into an image, allowing for more editing flexibility.
  • 💾 Save your final project in various formats with high quality for optimal results.

Q & A

  • What is the purpose of this Pixlr E tutorial?

    -The purpose of this tutorial is to provide a beginner's guide to the basics of Pixlr E, helping viewers learn how to make their own graphics and understand the new features of the updated Pixlr software.

  • Why does the creator recommend watching this tutorial before other specific tutorials?

    -The creator recommends watching this tutorial first because it covers the basics of Pixlr E, which will make it easier to follow more specific tutorials, such as making a profile picture or a logo.

  • What feature of Pixlr E automatically saves your work?

    -Pixlr E automatically saves your work by saving all your project history, allowing you to revisit and edit past projects without manually saving them.

  • What are the default settings when creating a new project in Pixlr E?

    -The default settings for a new project in Pixlr E are 1920 by 1080 pixels, which is the exact size for a YouTube thumbnail.

  • How can you add a custom color background when creating a new project in Pixlr E?

    -To add a custom color background, you can select the 'Create New' option, choose a background color from the color spectrum, or enter a specific color number to get the exact color you want.

  • How do you add an image as a layer in Pixlr E?

    -You can add an image as a layer by clicking on 'Layer' and then selecting 'Add image as layer' from the dropdown menu.

  • How can you adjust the hue and saturation of an image in Pixlr E?

    -You can adjust the hue and saturation of an image by selecting the image layer, clicking on 'Adjustment', and then adjusting the 'Hue/Saturation' sliders to change the color and richness of the image.

  • What does the 'Duplicate Layer' function do in Pixlr E?

    -The 'Duplicate Layer' function creates an exact copy of the selected layer, which can then be edited or moved independently of the original layer.

  • How can you lock a layer in Pixlr E, and why would you do this?

    -You can lock a layer by selecting the layer and clicking the lock icon. Locking a layer prevents any changes or movements to that layer, ensuring that your work on it remains unchanged.

  • What is the purpose of the 'Blend Mode' in Pixlr E?

    -The 'Blend Mode' in Pixlr E is used to blend layers in different ways, such as overlaying images, creating soft light effects, or blending colors. This is useful for adding depth and complexity to your graphics.

Outlines

00:00

🎨 Introduction to Pixlr Basics Tutorial

The video starts with a welcome back to the channel and an introduction to a tutorial on the basics of Pixlr. The host mentions that previous tutorials used an older version of Pixlr, which is no longer available. They emphasize the importance of learning the basics of Pixlr to create graphics and suggest re-watching previous tutorials after this one to apply new skills. The host also thanks the viewers for their support on the last video and mentions that they are currently not working and appreciate the support on their content. They promise to make more tutorials if this one gets enough support.

05:02

🖼️ Exploring Pixlr's Advanced Features

The host dives into the advanced features of Pixlr, starting with the new options of 'Advanced II' and 'Playful X'. They choose 'Advanced' as it is more suited for shapes and is the version they are familiar with. The video highlights the auto-save feature of Pixlr, which saves all project history automatically, allowing users to pick up where they left off. The host also introduces the 'Stock Search' feature for finding free stock images, which is a new addition to Pixlr. They discuss the default 'Create New' settings, which are set to 1920x1080, perfect for YouTube thumbnails, and show how users can adjust these settings for different image sizes and backgrounds.

10:02

🌈 Adjusting Colors and Adding PNGs

The tutorial continues with how to adjust the hue, saturation, and lightness of an image to change its color. The host demonstrates this by changing an image to a red hue to match a theme. They then show how to add a PNG image to a project and use the 'Adjustment' feature to enhance the image's contrast and brightness. The host also introduces the 'Duplicate Layer' option, which creates an exact copy of a selected layer, and the 'Lock' feature, which prevents accidental movement or editing of a layer. They further explain the 'Blend Mode' options for blending images and overlays into the background.

15:04

🌟 Adding Background Stars and Text

The host demonstrates how to add background stars to a project by importing a star PNG and using the 'Bucket' tool to fill it with a desired color. They show how to duplicate and arrange the star images to create a starry background. The tutorial then moves on to adding text, explaining how to download and add custom fonts from websites like dafont.com. The host guides viewers on how to adjust text properties like size, line space, and letter space before rasterizing the text into an image. They also show how to add a stroke to the text for a more defined look.

📝 Finalizing the Thumbnail Design

In the final part of the tutorial, the host discusses how to finalize a thumbnail design by adding a stroke to the text and adjusting its properties. They emphasize the importance of rasterizing text before adding a stroke to ensure a clean and smooth outline. The host then guides viewers on how to save their work in Pixlr, recommending saving as a PNG for transparency or a JPEG for non-transparent images. They encourage viewers to save at the highest quality and provide tips on naming and organizing their files. The video concludes with a reminder of the benefits of using Pixlr over other software like Photoshop, highlighting its speed and reliability.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Pixlr

Pixlr is a free online photo editing software that offers a wide range of tools and features similar to Adobe Photoshop. In the video, the host discusses the basics of using Pixlr, particularly the newer version, to create graphics and thumbnails. The software is highlighted for its ease of use and advanced features that make it a popular choice for beginners and professionals alike.

💡Tutorial

A tutorial in this context refers to an instructional video or guide that teaches viewers how to perform specific tasks or use certain software. The video is a 'Pixlr tutorial' aimed at beginners, focusing on the fundamentals of the software to help them create their own graphics, such as profile pictures and logos.

💡Thumbnail

A thumbnail in digital media refers to a small, representative image used to preview larger content, such as videos on YouTube. In the script, the host uses Pixlr to create a gaming thumbnail as an example, demonstrating how to adjust images, add text, and apply effects to make an engaging thumbnail.

💡Hue/Saturation

Hue refers to the color of an image, while saturation refers to the intensity or richness of the colors. In the video, the host explains how adjusting hue and saturation in Pixlr can change the color and depth of an image, which is crucial for matching the visual style of a thumbnail or graphic.

💡PNG

PNG stands for Portable Network Graphics, a file format used for images on the web. The host mentions adding a PNG to a thumbnail in Pixlr, which involves importing a PNG file, such as a custom Fortnite skin, into the project. PNGs are often used in digital graphics due to their ability to support transparency.

💡Brightness and Contrast

Brightness and contrast adjustments are used to modify the lightness or darkness and the difference between light and dark areas in an image. The host demonstrates how increasing contrast can add dimension and vibrance to a PNG in Pixlr, enhancing the visual quality of the graphic.

💡Blend Mode

Blend modes in graphic design determine how layers interact with each other. In Pixlr, blend modes like overlay, multiply, and soft light are used to blend images or overlays into the background, as shown in the video. This technique is essential for creating seamless and visually appealing graphics.

💡Bucket Tool

The bucket tool in Pixlr is used to fill a selected area or shape with a specific color. The host uses the bucket tool to quickly change the color of a star PNG to white, demonstrating its utility in quickly adjusting the color of elements within a graphic.

💡Stroke

A stroke in graphic design is an outline or border around an object or text. The host shows how to add a stroke to both images and text in Pixlr, which can enhance the visibility and impact of elements in a graphic. This is particularly useful for creating standout text in thumbnails.

💡Rasterize

Rasterizing is the process of converting vector or text elements into a raster image, which means they can no longer be edited as text but can be manipulated as an image. The host mentions rasterizing text in Pixlr to allow for adjustments in size and shape without losing quality, a common technique in graphic design.

💡Font

In the context of graphic design, a font refers to the specific design and style of typeface used in text. The host discusses adding custom fonts from websites like dafont.com to Pixlr, which can be used to create unique and personalized text for graphics, enhancing the overall aesthetic and message of the design.

Highlights

Introduction to a new Pixlr E tutorial for beginners.

Old Pixlr tutorials are outdated as the old version is no longer available.

The new Pixlr version offers more features and is the focus of this tutorial.

Automatic saving of project history in the new Pixlr.

Stock search feature for photographers to find free images.

Default 'Create New' settings are 1920 by 1080, ideal for YouTube thumbnails.

Option to create square images or customize dimensions.

Ability to change the background color or start with a transparent image.

How to add an image to a project and adjust its hue/saturation.

Using the 'Adjustment Brightness and Contrast' to enhance image quality.

Discovering new features like 'Duplicate Layer' and 'Lock Image'.

Blend modes like overlay, multiply, and soft light for image blending.

Using the 'Deep Bucket' option to fill shapes or images with color.

Adding a stroke to images and text for a more polished look.

Easier method for adding custom fonts from dafont.com.

Rasterizing text to an image for further editing.

Saving the final project as a high-quality PNG or JPEG.

Recommendation of Pixlr E over Photoshop for its speed and reliability.