Pixlr Tutorial - Image editing for beginners

This paragraph introduces the video tutorial and the speaker, Alec Ward, the Museum Development Officer for Digital and Communications. The focus is on teaching how to use Pixlr X, a free online image editing platform. Alec explains that there are two versions of Pixlr: Pixlr X, which is easier to use and suitable for beginners, and Pixlr E, which is more advanced and similar to Photoshop. The tutorial will guide viewers through the process of using Pixlr X, starting with accessing the website and creating or opening an image. The speaker also mentions the importance of choosing the right canvas size depending on the intended use of the image, such as for web or print.

In this section, Alec demonstrates how to add an image to the project, either by URL or by browsing local files. He resizes and positions a logo in the top left corner of the image. Next, he shows how to add shapes using the drawing tool, choosing a gray background to enhance the logo's visibility. Alec explains the importance of selecting the correct layer when adding elements to an image. He also discusses the ability to move, hide, duplicate, and delete layers, which is crucial for managing different elements in the image editing process.

Alec proceeds to show how to add text to an image, starting with a default text style and then customizing it by changing the color, font, size, and alignment. He also demonstrates how to add effects like bold, italic, and uppercase, as well as spacing between lines and letters. Furthermore, Alec introduces the ability to add outlines, backgrounds, and shadows to the text for additional depth. He then moves on to discuss the 'Adjust' tool, which allows for modifying the colors, vibrancy, saturation, and other properties of individual layers, and the 'Blur' tool, which can be used to blur specific areas or the entire layer.

This paragraph covers the process of removing backgrounds using the 'Cut Out' tool, with options like 'Magic Cut Out' and 'Draw Cut Out'. Alec explains how to select the background and adjust the tolerance to control how much is removed. He also mentions the ability to extract the removed area as a separate layer. After demonstrating the background removal, Alec shows how to add a solid color background by creating a new layer, unlocking it, and choosing a color. This step is crucial for creating a clean and focused image.

The final paragraph of the tutorial focuses on creating an animated GIF using Pixlr. Alec uses an image from the Smithsonian's open source image library and demonstrates how to edit it to make the subject appear as if winking. This involves duplicating the layer, cutting out the eyelid, and then gradually moving it down to simulate the closing of the eye. The process involves saving multiple images at different stages of the eyelid's movement, which can then be animated using the Giphy platform. Alec emphasizes the ease of use of Pixlr and encourages viewers to explore more advanced features in Pixlr E for greater control and creativity.