All right, in this video, we will learn to use Pixlr E. So, let’s get into it.
This is the opening interface.
We have some templates right here, and you can click on one to start editing.
You also have your history, but history is saved temporarily.
We can open an image or create a new one with those buttons.
When you create a new image, it shows a few sizes and this little section to create a
custom-size image.
We will give this project a name and set the resolution.
You can add a background color, but I will create an empty image.
So, this is the main editing interface.
We have most of the tools to the left, menu items on the top, and navigation, layers,
and history to the right.
You can hide and show those from here.
We also have smart resize and animations that we will cover later.
To open an image, go to “File” and Open Image.”
I have this image of mine that I will use in this tutorial.
If the image is too big, Pixlr suggests resizing it.
You have a few sizes with an option to insert a custom size.
I will choose this Ultra HD version.
When you select a tool, you will have sub-tools on the top.
Pixlr is a massive program, and covering every tool is challenging, so we will focus on the
common tools that you need in your daily life.
To work on this image, we must unlock it.
If you see this tiny lock option, click on it to unlock the layer.
When the “Arrange” tool is selected, we get those options in the top bar.
You can rotate this layer, flip it, or animate it.
You can also change the size and position.
First, we will understand the selection tools.
This selection tool lets you create rectangle and circle selections.
You can select an area and move it with the “Arrange” tool.
You can also copy and paste selections from this “Edit” menu.
To deselect any selections, go to “Select” and then click on “Deselect.”
This Lasso tool is an advanced selection tool.
It has four options.
The first “Free” tool lets you move your mouse pointer with your mouse button pressed.
When you leave the mouse, the selection is made.
The Polygon tool lets you make points to make a selection.
You don’t have to have the mouse clicked.
Just a click and move in a different direction.
This tool is the most advanced and can help select objects in complex images.
The Magnetic Lasso tool automatically detects the colors and makes the point.
All you need to do is make the first point and move your mouse.
It’s not fully accurate, but good enough for simple images.
Let’s see how to remove the background.
There are multiple ways.
You can use the Polygon tool to make a selection, but Pixlr has an option that automatically
selects the subject.
Go to “Select” on the top and choose “Select Subject.”
If the image is not complex, we will see a perfect selection.
Next, go to “Edit” and click “Copy.”
Then, go to “Edit” again and click “Paste.”
Lastly, delete the previous layer or deactivate it by clicking on this tiny icon.
We have the background removed image.
We will move this image to the new image.
Right-click on this image and “Copy layer.”
Then right-click here and “Paste layer.”
Let’s resize it with those corners and position it here.
We will explore the Text tool now.
Enable it from here and draw on the canvas where you want to type.
You will see the text options on the top.
Let’s type the main title.
I want to change this font to something else.
Also, change the font size.
Pixlr has “Text Format” and “Styles” on the top.
Let’s increase the link height here.
Here we can do cool stuff with this text.
You can add a background, but I’m interested in this “Outline” feature that will add
a stroke.
Clicking on color activates the color picker.
You can click anywhere on the image to take that color.
We have the outline size, distance, and direction options.
I will also enable “Shadow.”.
Adjust those options to make it look nice.
I think the text will look nicer at the top.
I will increase its size by dragging it from this side.
Then, position it to the top.
Look great.
I have downloaded a free image that we will use as the background.
Let’s open that image and unlock the layer.
I will go to “Edit,” and copy this layer and paste it into our image.
Resize it and position it perfectly.
The image is blocking other layers.
This is because this layer is on the top.
Drag it and move it down.
Each element in Pixlr is saved onto a different layer.
Right-clicking on a layer shows its name, lock and unlock, options, opacity, and blend
options that blend the layer with others.
Let’s add some blurriness and gradient.
Choose the background layer and this “Blur” tool.
You can adjust the tool’s size from here and strength from this section.
57 is good enough.
To blur out the parts, press the mouse button and move around.
The blur tool will only affect the selected layer.
You can also blur the whole layer by going to “Filter,” then “Details,” and then
“Blur.”
Adjust this slider to add blurriness.
Next is gradient.
Choose this tool and select a gradient combination from here.
This looks more like our background, so I will click on it.
Now, we will create a new layer by clicking here and then choosing “Empty.”
This is because the gradient will be on a separate layer.
Click here and then drag the mouse toward the other end.
Hold the shift key to make a straight line.
We can see the gradient, but right-click on this layer and reduce its opacity.
This will give a nice gradient effect to the background.
I will also add a bit of shadow to my subject.
Select this layer and then go to “Filter,” and choose “Drop Shadow.”
On this panel, I will choose a color from the image and adjust those settings.
It’s up to you how much of the shadow you want.
I will keep it to the minimum levels.
I have added more text here.
We will add the background style to it.
It looks all right but can be improved.
OK, Pixlr has a “Free Transform” option to transform layers.
You can drag from each corner or change options on the top.
This is another handy tool to make those precise changes.
To resize this whole image, go to “Page” and select the first option.
Pixlr has many built-in ratios that will automatically resize the image.
We can also insert a custom size here and resize it.
Let’s put in 1900px and click “Apply.”
Lastly, check out its animation panel.
You can animate the whole image by going to “Animation” or clicking this animation
panel icon.
Choose one of those and test them out.
You can also animate a single layer by going to this tab.
You can then choose the layer and select one of those animations.
Those three icons are animation speed.
Once an animation is enabled, the image will be converted to a video and can be downloaded
as MP4.
To save this image or video, go to “File” and “Save.”
You can then download it as a video.
However, you can still download it as an image without the animations.
Go to this tab.
This last option is the Pixlr file, so you can save this project and open it later.
I will save it as PNG.
Here is our image.
So, this is it for this tutorial.
Thanks for watching.
Please let me know if you need any help, and take care.