How to Create Shapes in Pixelmator Pro

Edited 2 months ago by ExtremeHow Editorial Team

Pixelmator ProShapesGraphic DesignImage EditingMacDesignDigital ArtPhotographyCreative SoftwareUser Guide

Pixelmator Pro is a powerful and versatile photo editing app designed for macOS that offers users a wide range of features. One such feature is the ability to create and manipulate shapes. This functionality is crucial for graphic design, illustration, and even detailed photo editing. Knowing how to create and work with shapes in Pixelmator Pro can greatly improve your creative projects. Let's dive deeper into this detailed guide on how to create shapes in Pixelmator Pro, explore the variety of tools available, and understand how to use them effectively.

Getting started with Pixelmator Pro

Before we start creating shapes, it's important to familiarize yourself with the basic interface of Pixelmator Pro. Once you install Pixelmator Pro and launch it, you'll notice a clean and intuitive layout. The main interface is divided into several sections: the toolbar at the top, the layers panel on the right, and the main canvas where you'll design your shapes.

Instrument panel

The toolbar contains all the essential tools you need to create and edit shapes. This includes the Shapes tool, the Selection tool, and more. Understanding these tools is your first step toward creating shapes effectively.

Layers panel

The Layers panel is your control center for managing the various elements in your design. Each shape you create is placed on separate layers, allowing you to manipulate them independently.

Drawing basic shapes

The foundation of any design starts with understanding how to create basic shapes. Pixelmator Pro makes this easy with its built-in Shapes tool. Let's learn how to use it:

Using the Shapes Tool

To create a shape:

1. Open Pixelmator Pro and create a new document or open an existing document.
2. In the toolbar, find the Shapes tool. It looks like a rectangular shape. Click on it.
3. Once selected, click and drag on the canvas to create the shape you want. You can create rectangles, circles, polygons, and more by adjusting the drawing style.

Adjusting shape properties

After you create the shape, you may want to adjust its properties. Here's how:

1. Select the shape by clicking on it on the canvas.
2. Go to the Shapes panel, usually found on the right side of the screen.
3. Here, you can change the color, opacity, stroke, and fill style.

Creating complex shapes

For more advanced designs, Pixelmator Pro allows you to create complex shapes by combining basic shapes. Here's how you can do it:

Combination of shapes

To combine shapes, follow these steps:

1. Make as many shapes as described above.
2. Select the shapes you want to combine by holding down the Shift key and clicking each shape.
3. After selecting the shapes, right-click and choose Group from the context menu. This combines the shapes into a single group in the Layers panel.

Using Shape Subtraction

You can also create new shapes by subtracting one shape from another:

1. Select the two shapes you want to use. The top shape will be used to subtract from the shape below it.
2. Go to the Edit menu in the toolbar.
3. Select Subtract Shapes. The top shape will cut out a portion from the bottom shape, resulting in a new complex shape.

Changing shapes

After you've created your shapes, you may want to change their appearance. Pixelmator Pro provides robust conversion tools for this purpose:

Resizing and rotating

To resize or rotate a shape:

1. Select the shape you want to change by clicking on it.
2. To resize, click and drag the corner handles. Hold down the Shift key to maintain the aspect ratio.
3. To rotate, hover near a corner until you see the rotate icon, then click and drag to rotate.

Flipping shapes

Flipping a shape is simple:

1. Select the shape you want to flip.
2. Go to the Organize menu.
3. Select Flip Horizontally or Flip Vertically as needed.

Using shape fill styles

Pixelmator Pro offers different fill styles to add depth to your shapes:

Solid fill

Filling a shape with a solid color can be done easily:

1. Select the shape.
2. In the Shape Options panel, find the Fill section.
3. Select Solid Fill and click the color well to choose a color.

Gradient fill

To add a gradient fill:

1. Select the shape.
2. In the Shape option, choose Gradient Fill.
3. You can create custom gradients by adjusting the gradient stops and selecting different colors.

Adding and modifying shape strokes

When you draw shapes, you can also add a stroke or outline to them for extra emphasis:

Applying strokes

To apply a stroke:

1. Choose your size.
2. In the Shape options, find the Stroke section.
3. Enable Stroke and select the color and width you want.

Dashed lines

Dashed lines can also be used:

1. When stroke is enabled, look for dashed options.
2. Customize the dashes by setting the dash length and interval.

Saving and exporting your work

Once you're satisfied with the shapes you've created, it's important to know how to save and export your work:

Save your work

To save your work in Pixelmator Pro format, go to the File menu and select Save. This will ensure that all your layers and edits are kept intact for future editing.

Exporting your work

If you want to export your work for use in other applications:

1. Go to the File menu.
2. Select Export.
3. Choose your preferred format, such as PNG, JPEG, or PDF.
4. Set any additional options such as resolution or transparency and click Export.

By now, you should have a solid understanding of how to create, manipulate, and save shapes in Pixelmator Pro. The ability to use these techniques will expand your ability to create stunning and professional graphics. Experiment with different tools and styles to find the perfect combination for your project. Remember that practice makes perfect, and the more you work with shapes in Pixelmator Pro, the more skilled you will become. Enjoy exploring the endless possibilities in creating shapes!

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