Pixelformer is a bitmap editor, specifically designed for creating, modifying, and converting small and medium-sized images, such as icons, avatars, buttons, web graphics, game graphics, etc. Pixelformer is faster, smaller, easier, more precise, and often more efficient than large bitmap editing tools; at the same time it is more powerful than any classic simple icon editor. When you need to create, edit, resize, or convert icons or other small images, Pixelformer can be a complete solution. Even if you prefer to create graphics in some sophisticated high-end image editor, it still would be a useful tool for doing final tweaks, conversions, and optimizations.
The main features of Pixelformer are: • no restrictive limits
for image dimensions No restrictive limits for image dimensionsPixelformer does not limit you to icon-specific image sizes. In particular, this means that you generally would not need any additional tools while making an icon from a multi-megapixel photo. Support for different color depths up to 32-bit RGB with alpha channelWhen using Pixelformer, you can always work in a 32-bit RGBA color space. If you need another format, just tag your image with desired output color depth, and Pixelformer will generate appropriate palette, preview, and data for export. Semi-transparent colorsIn addition to semi-transparent layers and soft-drawing tools, Pixelformer allows you to use semi-transparent colors, offering more control over transparency effects.
Multiple layer supportAny image in a Pixelformer project can be composed of an unlimited number of layers. The layering greatly simplifies working with complex images. Free-form maskingUsing the selection tools available in Pixelformer, you can create a region of any arbitrary form and use it for constraining the drawing operations or for manipulating specific pixels. In-place supersamplingWith Pixelformer, you can draw at a much higher resolution than that of the output image - the drawing will be instantly resampled and mapped to the output. This method combines the benefits of raster and vector graphics and gives you antialiased but still editable image, which can never be produced by classic 1:1 bitmap editors. Supersampling also helps to convert images to icons by simplifying the edge trimming process and retaining a possibility to refine the result and align it to pixel grid. Lossless target color depth switchingAs the working color space in Pixelformer is always 32-bit RGBA, changing the color depth of output images is very easy and non-destructive. Independent access to color and alpha channelsUsing Pixelformer, you can independently view and edit color and alpha channels of your images; this feature may be useful for fixing edge artifacts in imported icons, or for creating unusual blending effects. Dynamic palette generationPixelformer frees you from having to worry about color palettes for non-truecolor images - highly optimized ones can be automatically generated in real time. Multiple file format supportAt the moment, Pixelformer is able to import BMP, PNG, ICO, CUR, JPEG/JPG, TGA, and PSD image files, as well as EXE, DLL, or ICL multiple image containers; BMP, PNG, ICO, and TGA file formats are available for export. You can freely convert images between these formats. Extensible architectureThe file format support can be extended with appropriate plugins. The SDK will be available shortly. Icon extraction capabilityPixelformer is able to extract icons, cursors, and bitmaps from executable files and ICL icon libraries. PNG size optimizationPixelformer includes a PNG optimizer, which finds optimal PNG compressor parameters during export, and thus losslessly minimizes size of PNG image files.
Vista icon optimizationSince Windows Vista icons contain PNG-compressed subimages, the PNG optimizing engine reduces the icon file sizes as well.
Alpha premultiplicationWhen necessary, images containing an alpha channel can be exported from Pixelformer with premultiplied alpha.
Deep undo bufferPixelformer efficiently compresses undo data, keeping a long history of operations while maintaining a low memory footprint. |
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