NEW Pixlr E Tutorial! (Beginners Guide)

Ice Kickz
26 Mar 202017:39

TLDRThis tutorial offers a beginner's guide to Pixlr E, a powerful online photo editing tool. The host demonstrates how to use the software's advanced features, including automatic history saving, stock image search, and customizable canvas creation. Viewers are walked through the process of adjusting hues, adding and manipulating layers, and utilizing blend modes for overlays. The video also covers adding strokes to images and text, and concludes with saving high-quality graphics for various social media platforms, emphasizing Pixlr E's speed and reliability compared to other editing software.

Takeaways

  • 😀 The video is a tutorial on the basics of Pixlr, aimed at beginners.
  • 📚 The presenter has many Pixlr tutorials on their channel, but this one covers the updated version of Pixlr.
  • 🔄 Pixlr now automatically saves your project history, which was not available in the older version.
  • 🎨 The tutorial covers how to adjust hues, saturation, and lightness to change the color and richness of images.
  • 🌟 It introduces the new 'Advanced' option in Pixlr, which is more feature-rich compared to the 'Playful' option.
  • 📐 The video explains how to create new images with custom dimensions and choose background colors or transparency.
  • 🌌 The presenter demonstrates adding and adjusting PNG images, including using the 'Deep Bucket' tool for filling shapes with color.
  • 🖌️ Tips on adding strokes to images and text, including how to use the 'Rasterize Text' feature for editing.
  • ✨ The tutorial shows how to use blend modes for overlays, similar to those in Photoshop.
  • 🌐 The video mentions the ease of adding custom fonts from dafont.com to Pixlr, a new feature in the updated version.
  • 💾 The presenter concludes by emphasizing the benefits of Pixlr, such as its speed and lack of crashes, compared to other software like Photoshop.

Q & A

  • What is the main purpose of the video?

    -The main purpose of the video is to provide a tutorial on the basics of Pixlr, an online photo editing tool, for beginners.

  • Why is the tutorial necessary according to the video?

    -The tutorial is necessary because the older version of Pixlr is no longer available, and the video creator has discovered new features in the updated version that can help viewers learn Pixlr more effectively.

  • What is the advantage of the new Pixlr version mentioned in the video?

    -The new Pixlr version has an automatic save feature that retains the history of all projects, allowing users to return to their work even if their computer or software crashes.

  • How does the video suggest using the stock search feature in Pixlr?

    -The video suggests using the stock search feature to find free stock images for thumbnails or other photo needs, assuming there are no copyright issues since they are available for free.

  • What is the recommended starting point for creating a new project in Pixlr according to the video?

    -The recommended starting point is to use the 'Create New' option, which defaults to a size of 1920 by 1080, suitable for YouTube thumbnails, or customize the dimensions as needed.

  • How can users add an image to their Pixlr project?

    -Users can add an image to their project by clicking 'Layer' and then 'Add Image as Layer', followed by selecting the image from their files.

  • What is the 'Hue/Saturation' adjustment used for in Pixlr?

    -The 'Hue/Saturation' adjustment is used to change the color of an image and adjust how rich the colors are, respectively.

  • Why is adjusting the contrast of an image recommended in the video?

    -Adjusting the contrast of an image is recommended because it adds dimension and vibrance to the image, improving its overall quality.

  • What is the 'Rasterize Text' function in Pixlr and when should it be used?

    -The 'Rasterize Text' function in Pixlr converts text into an image, which allows for further editing such as resizing without losing quality. It should be used after finalizing the text content and style.

  • How can users add a stroke or outline to their text in Pixlr?

    -Users can add a stroke or outline to their text by selecting the text, adjusting the stroke size and color, and then using the 'Rasterize Text' function to apply the changes as an image.

  • What is the final step shown in the video for saving a project in Pixlr?

    -The final step is to go to 'File' and then 'Save', choosing the desired format such as PNG for transparency or JPEG, adjusting the quality to high, naming the file, and downloading it.

Outlines

00:00

🎨 Introduction to Pixlr Basics Tutorial

The video begins with the host welcoming viewers to a tutorial on the basics of Pixlr, a popular photo editing software. The host mentions that previous tutorials on the channel used the old version of Pixlr, which is no longer available. They express their intention to cover new features and functions in Pixlr, believing that understanding the basics will empower viewers to create their own graphics. The host also acknowledges the support received from the audience on their last video and hints at creating more advanced tutorials if this one is well-received. The introduction to Pixlr's interface is highlighted, showcasing its auto-save feature and the ability to revisit previous projects.

05:02

🖼️ Exploring Pixlr's Advanced Features and Tools

This paragraph delves into the advanced features of Pixlr, such as the 'Advanced' editing option, which the host prefers over 'Playful X'. The host guides viewers through the initial interface, explaining the auto-save history and the stock search feature for free images. The default settings for creating new projects are discussed, with a focus on the common 1920x1080 size for thumbnails. Additional customization options, such as square images or custom dimensions, are also covered, along with the choice between a transparent or colored background. The host demonstrates the adjustment of hue/saturation for images and the process of adding a PNG to a project, emphasizing the importance of contrast adjustments for image quality.

10:02

🌟 Advanced Techniques for Image Enhancement

The host introduces several advanced techniques within Pixlr, including the use of the 'three dots' menu for duplicating layers and locking images to prevent accidental movement. They also explain the 'flatten' and 'merge' options, as well as how to hide or delete layers. The paragraph covers blend modes like 'overlay' and 'multiply' for integrating overlays into the background. The 'bucket' tool is highlighted for filling shapes with color, and the 'stroke' feature is demonstrated for adding outlines to images. The host shares a trick for changing the color of images quickly using the bucket tool and discusses the process of adding and customizing text with various styling options.

15:04

📘 Finalizing Graphics and Saving Work in Pixlr

The final paragraph focuses on the final steps of creating a graphic in Pixlr, including adding background elements like stars and customizing their size and color. The host demonstrates how to duplicate and arrange these elements to create a desired effect. They also revisit the text tool, explaining how to add a stroke to text before rasterizing it, which allows for further manipulation of the text as an image. The tutorial concludes with instructions on how to save the completed graphic in high quality, either as a PNG or JPEG, and the host encourages viewers to leave questions and feedback in the comments section. The host expresses gratitude for the audience's support and interest in further content.

Mindmap

Keywords

Pixlr

Pixlr is a free online photo editing software that offers a range of tools similar to Adobe Photoshop. In the video, the host discusses the basics of using Pixlr, highlighting its new features and how it can be used to create graphics such as thumbnails and logos. The script mentions that the host has used Pixlr in previous tutorials, indicating its importance in their content creation process.

Tutorial

A tutorial in this context refers to a step-by-step guide or lesson that teaches viewers how to perform a specific task or use a particular software. The video script emphasizes the host's intention to provide a beginner's guide to Pixlr, focusing on the basics that will help viewers learn how to make their own graphics.

Thumbnail

A thumbnail in video production is a small, representative image that gives a preview of the video content. The script mentions creating thumbnails as one of the primary uses for the graphics made in Pixlr, and the default 'create new' settings in Pixlr are set to a size suitable for YouTube thumbnails, indicating the relevance of this term to the video's theme.

Profile Picture

A profile picture is an image used to represent an individual or brand on social media platforms. The script suggests that viewers who have watched previous tutorials on making profile pictures and logos should revisit those after watching this tutorial, implying that the skills learned in Pixlr can be applied to creating profile pictures.

Hue/Saturation

Hue refers to the color of an image, while saturation refers to the intensity of the color. In the script, the host demonstrates how adjusting hue and saturation in Pixlr can change the color and richness of an image, which is a fundamental aspect of photo editing and is used in the video to match the color theme of a gaming thumbnail.

PNG

PNG stands for Portable Network Graphics, a file format used for images on the web. The script discusses adding PNG files to a project in Pixlr, which is a common practice in graphic design for adding transparent or custom elements to a design, such as a custom Fortnite skin in the video example.

Brightness and Contrast

Brightness and contrast adjustments affect the overall lightness or darkness and the difference between light and dark areas in an image. The host explains how increasing contrast can add dimension and vibrance to an image, making it appear more high-definition, which is crucial for enhancing the quality of graphics in Pixlr.

Blend Mode

Blend modes in graphic design determine how layers interact with each other. The script mentions blend modes like 'overlay', 'multiply', and 'soft light', which are used to blend images or overlays into the background in a visually appealing way, enhancing the overall design of the thumbnail.

Stroke

A stroke in graphic design is an outline or border around an object or text. The host demonstrates how to add a stroke to an image or text in Pixlr, which can be used to create a more defined or highlighted appearance, such as adding an outline to text for a logo or thumbnail.

Rasterize

Rasterizing is the process of converting vector graphics into a bitmap image, which makes them editable as a regular image. In the script, the host advises rasterizing text after adding a stroke to ensure that the text can be edited in terms of size and position without losing the stroke effect.

Stock Images

Stock images are pre-made, professional photographs available for use in designs. The script mentions Pixlr's stock search feature, which allows users to find and use free stock images for their projects, such as thumbnails or Instagram photos, providing a resource for content creators.

Highlights

Introduction to a new Pixlr E tutorial for beginners.

Explanation of the transition from the old Pixlr to the new version.

The benefits of learning the basics of Pixlr for creating graphics.

Automatic saving feature of the new Pixlr version.

Access to a stock search for free images in Pixlr.

Creating new projects with custom dimensions and backgrounds.

Using the hue/saturation adjustment for color modification.

Adding a PNG to a project and adjusting its brightness and contrast.

Utilizing the duplicate layer and lock image features.

Exploring blend modes for overlays in Pixlr.

Using the bucket tool for filling shapes with color.

Adding a stroke to images for a defined outline.

Customizing star images for background elements.

Adding and customizing text with various font options.

Rasterizing text for further manipulation as an image.

Adding a stroke to text for a polished look.

Saving the final project in Pixlr with high quality settings.

Recommendation of Pixlr over Photoshop for speed and reliability.