PIXLR Tutorial - Designed for Beginners

Teacher's Tech
17 Sept 201720:39

TLDRIn this tutorial, Jamie Keats introduces Pixlr, a free graphic app similar to Photoshop, highlighting its tools for creating images, working with transparency, and editing photos. He also demonstrates how to connect Pixlr to Google Drive for easy saving and accessing projects.

Takeaways

  • 🌐 Pixlr is a free online graphics editor that Jamie Keats recommends for its similarity to Photoshop.
  • 🎨 The app offers tools like the brush, pencil, and paint bucket for creating and editing images.
  • πŸ–ΌοΈ Users can create new images from scratch or open existing ones, including the option to use URLs.
  • πŸ”„ Pixlr provides a history panel allowing users to undo and redo actions easily.
  • 🎭 The app includes a green-screen tool for superimposing images onto transparent backgrounds.
  • πŸ–ŒοΈ Customizable brush settings let users adjust size, softness, and shape for different drawing effects.
  • πŸ“ The magic wand tool helps in selecting specific colors for editing within an image.
  • πŸ–ΌοΈ Filters and effects like the blur, sharpen, and smudge tools enhance image editing capabilities.
  • πŸ“ˆ The ability to adjust image size and proportions without distortion is a feature of Pixlr.
  • πŸ” A zoom tool helps in focusing on specific areas of the image for detailed work.
  • πŸ”— Pixlr can be connected to Google Drive for easy saving and access to created images.

Q & A

  • Who is the presenter of the Pixlr tutorial video?

    -The presenter of the Pixlr tutorial video is Jamie Keats.

  • What is Pixlr and why is it the presenter's favorite free graphics app?

    -Pixlr is a free graphics app that the presenter, Jamie Keats, favors due to its similarities with Photoshop from about ten years ago, its tools, and its capability to work with green-screen and transparent backgrounds.

  • How can one access Pixlr as shown in the video?

    -One can access Pixlr by visiting Pixlr.com or by connecting it with Google Drive through the 'Connect more apps' option.

  • What is the significance of the transparent background feature in Pixlr?

    -The transparent background feature in Pixlr allows users to save images as PNG files without a white background, which is useful for overlaying images on different backgrounds.

  • What are some of the customization options available for the brush tool in Pixlr?

    -In Pixlr, users can customize the brush tool by changing the size, softness of the edges, and even using custom images as brushes.

  • How does the Paint Bucket tool work in Pixlr?

    -The Paint Bucket tool in Pixlr works by quickly filling areas of similar color with the selected color, making it easy to color large areas uniformly.

  • What is the purpose of the gradient tool in Pixlr?

    -The gradient tool in Pixlr is used to create a smooth transition between two or more colors, which can be useful for creating thumbnails, channel art, or posters.

  • How can text be added and customized in Pixlr?

    -In Pixlr, text can be added by selecting the text tool and typing. Users can then customize the font, size, color, and other properties of the text.

  • What is the function of the rubber stamp tool in Pixlr?

    -The rubber stamp tool in Pixlr allows users to copy a certain area of an image and duplicate it elsewhere within the same image.

  • How can users save their work in Pixlr when connected to Google Drive?

    -When Pixlr is connected to Google Drive, users can save their work directly to their Google Drive by choosing the Google Drive option when saving the file.

Outlines

00:00

🎨 Introduction to Pixlr and Its Features

Jamie Keats introduces the video and Pixlr, a free graphics app reminiscent of Photoshop with similar tools and capabilities. He highlights Pixlr's ability to work with green-screen, create transparent backgrounds, and superimpose images. The video offers an overview and mentions more specific tutorials available in the video description and on the channel. Jamie also shows two ways to access Pixlr, through the website and by connecting it with Google Drive for easier saving and organization.

05:02

πŸ–ŒοΈ Exploring Pixlr's Drawing and Customization Tools

Jamie demonstrates Pixlr's brush tool, showing how to customize brush size, softness, and shape, even using images as brushes. He discusses the pencil tool's ability to create sketchy lines and the Paint Bucket tool for quick color fills. The gradient tool is introduced for creating neat graphics, and the text tool is shown for adding customizable text to images. Jamie also covers adding shapes to images with various properties to adjust.

10:03

πŸ” Advanced Pixlr Tools for Image Manipulation

The video continues with advanced tools like the rubber stamp for duplicating image areas, the magic wand for color selection, and the blur, sharpen, smudge, and sponge tools for various effects. The history panel is highlighted for undoing steps, and tools like the Dodge and Burn are introduced for adjusting light and dark areas. The spot healing tool is shown for removing blemishes, and the bloat and pinch tools are demonstrated for creating distortion effects.

15:04

πŸ› οΈ Additional Features and Google Drive Integration

Jamie covers the eye dropper tool for color selection, the zoom tool for detailed work, and the image size adjustment feature. He explores filters for applying effects and discusses the importance of working with layers. The video concludes with a tutorial on integrating Pixlr with Google Drive, allowing for direct saving to the cloud storage and easy access to the app from within Google Drive.

20:06

πŸ“š Conclusion and Further Learning Resources

In the final paragraph, Jamie wraps up the overview of Pixlr, encouraging viewers to explore the app and check out additional tutorials for a deeper understanding of its capabilities. He mentions his weekly tech tips and invites viewers to subscribe to his channel and join his newsletter for more educational content. Jamie expresses his intention to grow the Pixlr tutorial series and thanks viewers for watching.

Mindmap

Keywords

Pixlr

Pixlr is a web-based photo editing software that is often used as a free alternative to Adobe Photoshop. It offers a variety of tools for editing images and creating graphics. In the video, Jamie Keats introduces Pixlr as one of his favorite free graphics apps, highlighting its similarities to Photoshop and its utility for both personal and school use.

Graphics App

A graphics app is a type of software that allows users to create, edit, and manipulate images and visual designs. In the context of the video, Jamie refers to Pixlr as a graphics app that he enjoys using for its functionality and ease of use, comparing it to Photoshop from a decade ago.

Green-Screen

Green-screen is a technique used in film and photography where a person or object is filmed in front of a green background, which can then be replaced with any other background. In the script, Jamie mentions using Pixlr's green-screen tool to superimpose images on transparent backgrounds.

Transparency

Transparency in digital images refers to an alpha channel that allows for parts of an image to be completely see-through. Jamie explains in the video that Pixlr allows users to create images with a transparent background, which is a feature often found in paid software.

Brush Tool

The brush tool is a feature in Pixlr that allows users to draw or paint on an image with various customizable settings. Jamie demonstrates the brush tool in the video, showing how to change its size, shape, and color to create different effects.

Pencil Tool

The pencil tool in Pixlr is similar to the brush tool but is used for more precise drawing. Jamie mentions the pencil tool in the script and shows how it can be customized to give a sketchy look, indicating its use for creating detailed drawings.

Paint Bucket

The Paint Bucket tool fills an area of an image with a chosen color, based on the color it is clicked on. Jamie uses the Paint Bucket in the video to quickly change large areas of color in an image, demonstrating its utility for coloring in a hurry.

Gradient Tool

The gradient tool creates a gradual blend between two or more colors along a line or across an area. In the video, Jamie explains how to use the gradient tool to create neat graphics for thumbnails, posters, or channel art.

Text Tool

The text tool allows users to add text to their images or designs. Jamie shows how to use the text tool in Pixlr to add custom text with different fonts and colors, which is useful for creating posters or adding titles to images.

Shapes Tool

The shapes tool in Pixlr enables users to add various geometric shapes to their designs. Jamie demonstrates how to use the shapes tool to add and customize shapes, such as changing border size and fill color, to enhance visual compositions.

History

In the context of image editing software, history refers to a feature that records all the actions performed on an image, allowing users to revert to previous steps. Jamie mentions the history feature in Pixlr, emphasizing its importance for undoing mistakes or exploring different effects.

Google Drive

Google Drive is a cloud storage service that allows users to store and access their files from anywhere. In the video, Jamie shows how to connect Pixlr to Google Drive, enabling users to save their work directly to the cloud for easy access and storage.

Highlights

Introduction to Pixlr, a free graphics app similar to Photoshop.

How to access Pixlr and its interface reminiscent of older Photoshop versions.

Creating new images with transparent backgrounds in Pixlr.

Customizing the brush tool with various shapes and sizes.

Using the pencil tool for sketch-like drawings.

The utility of the eraser tool for refining artwork.

Quickly filling large areas with the Paint Bucket tool.

Creating gradients for dynamic visual effects.

Adding text with various fonts and styles.

Incorporating shapes into designs for added elements.

Using the rubber stamp tool to duplicate image areas.

The magic wand tool for selecting and working with specific colors.

Applying the blur tool for softening image details.

Using the sharpen tool to enhance image clarity.

The smudge tool for stretching and distorting image parts.

Spot healing tool for removing blemishes and unwanted objects.

Adjusting image size and proportions without distortion.

Exploring various filters for unique graphic effects.

Linking Pixlr to Google Drive for seamless saving and access.

Final thoughts and additional resources for learning Pixlr.