No more black interface in Pixelmator

What features would you like to see in Pixelmator?
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2013-06-11 17:24:26

I tried editing the resources on a copy of Pixelmator. Check out the image below. I don't think it's worth neither the risk of voiding your warranty nor the effort that goes into it. It just doesn't improve a thing.

Image
User avatar

2013-06-12 03:36:19

Indeed, it isn't much of an improvement because the icons are still hard to distinguish (too small), but I still do prefer it a lot. Easier on the eye. Maybe a shade somewhere between black and the one you used would make it. I remember Pixelmator 1 was pretty dark and was still easier on the eyes. Final Cut Pro X is very dark and still easy on the eyes too. There's something to do with that.

However, there's no warranty voided on a digital software. Changing a few PNGs isn't dangerous and if your copy is broken, you delete it and download it again.
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2013-07-08 17:50:54

Hi Guys,
First of all, I'm a user of pixelmator myself and like it very much, today I was reading a article on the Mac.Appstorm.net that compare pixelmator to the Acorn, it was interesting, reading the comments I've noted that people are complaining about the dark UI of pixelmator, so to improve the software I've though of aware you guys about so you coud have some feedback from the people about the UI.

In this case my feature request are be able to change tha background color of the UI (today black), but be cool, I don't wanna a color picker to do that, just some predefined shades of gray, about 2 or 3 to be exacly, just so people can make more light GUI when they cant use the dark one.

I believe that if the GUI background is programmed (other than a simple image) this can be easyly implemented, if is a image i too believe that cant be that hard to change.

The comments can be found at:http://mac.appstorm.net/reviews/graphics/clash-of-the-image-editors-acorn-vs-pixelmator/
I looked on the foruns but the close topic to subject was kind of unsolved with no definitive awser and can be found here:http://support.pixelmator.com/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=6986&p=34404&hilit=user+interface#p34404
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2013-07-08 22:28:32

I like the black interface
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2013-07-10 19:12:45

I totally agree with the subject: having the option to switch back and forth different brightnesses of the user interface is crucial. It helps those with some difficulties (aka "getting older"), as well as help one use the software both in daylight, daytime and night time.

On my day job I'm a part of a 50+ team of people who use Adobe After Effects CS6 and we super appreciate the feature that allows us to adjust the UI custom to our working needs.

It's probably a small improvements, but it's a giant leap for your daily operations.

Please do integrate it as soon as possible.

Thanks
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2013-07-26 09:32:14

i think the black looks sexy. maybe dark grey would be better so we can see the boundaries - but leave it dark...
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2013-08-05 11:29:24

Just look at Photoshop. They use positive (black on light gray) for a reason. One does not have to reinvent everything just for the sake of being "different". It is confirmed in studies that negative text does not work as well, and I hereby subscribe to the request 100%. At least give us a choice. The black interface seriously hurts productivity in my book.
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2013-09-01 20:06:22

I second the vote for lighter interface! It's way too dark. Perhaps, there could be a setting to adjust the lightness / darkness of the interface. The way it is now is really making it difficult to work with multiple windows or read the light grey text on dark background.

Thank you for considerations!
User avatar

2013-09-01 22:28:32

+1 have a alt theme for the interface that isn't eye fatiguing stark black. Funny; I'd already used Stylebot to adjust the Pixelmator support pages for easier reading.
Tried 2 different ones:
Image

Image
User avatar

2013-09-03 20:00:22

The problem isn't the black UI, the problem is we have NO CHOICE but to use the black UI. Other software developers give us a choice.

For some reason black UIs (and parallax scrolling) are quite trendy right now, so I don't want to tell you not to be hip...

But PLEASE consider doing what JetBrains does with their IDEs: they let you CHOOSE "Darcula" as a UI theme or not.

Not all of us get to work in a predictable work environment with great lighting. Some of us have a MacBook Pro Retina for a reason, and we often find ourselves in situations where trying to read this site or use Pixelmator is a total NIGHTMARE.

For instance, right now I can look at my computer screen and see my own hands typing more easily than I can see my mouse cursor when I move it over this text.

Please, give us a choice! Give choice a chance!

Thanks for listening.
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2013-09-06 02:25:47

I'm going to chime in here.

I live in Aperture as a pro photographer. I spend a reasonable amount of time in Photoshop, too.

In aperture, your workspace is black, but your interface elements are all dark grey to provide separation, and... more importantly in my mind, the elements within those palettes are all monochrome. This separation, and the monochrome tools, are there for a very good reason.

It is these elements in PXM that I think are causing the jarring sensation to the interface for so many users - indistinguishable palettes, and gaudy cartoon tool icons that distract from the image within the canvas for no reason - the tool icons, shapes and layer/brush highlights should be there to use when needed, not to compete for attention with the image you're working on.

I'm trying to switch for all my image editing needs outside of Aperture, but (and sorry to be blunt) the interface currently looks like a kids paint package, or maybe it *was* fine, but a unicorn strayed into your office and shat a rainbow on it all?

Maybe your target isn't people who need to get serious work done - maybe you are aiming more at the 'kids paint package' market, but a flatter, subtler interface with subdued tools, highlights etc would set you firmly in the "we're a serious app for everyone" camp.

I've attached a screenshot showing Aperture's interface for reference - it's *incredibly* unobtrusive while remaining incredibly powerful.

Give us the option to have a monochrome interface with separation between the canvas and palettes (i.e. grey!) and I think you'd make a huge chunk of your userbase happy.


Image
User avatar

2013-09-06 17:04:43

I like the existing colorful icons and find them much easier to identify than all the horrible tiny monotone icons throughout Mountain Lion.
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2013-09-20 07:14:23

The black interface of Pixelmator is very hard to read is unbearable!!!
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2013-09-25 12:33:05

Please do something about the black UI. I want to like and use Pixelmator, but the black interface is just plain user-hostile. Kind of goes with your website, in which much of the type is close to illegible, thanks to your color scheme. BTW my eyesight is fine and I have a good, calibrated monitor.
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2013-09-28 08:41:49

I can see why some people want a lighter interface yet in a studioenvironmentits perfect! And if you work 8+ hours in images a bright interface is the oposite as you all seem to believe; damages and tires your eyes 10x. So an option for different shades as photoshop has, is the best option.
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2013-09-28 15:12:43

I agree with edlo, I don't mind the black UI and do find lighter screens more tiring on the eyes and a bigger, eye-watering adjustment.
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2013-09-30 00:29:14

A grey option would be great. No need to remove the black color scheme - just add another option!

Please :)
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2013-10-03 08:44:28

Black is extremely tiring. Could you please add an option to select 'background colour, as in Lightroom - ie Black, Dark, Medium. Light Grey etc ...
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2013-10-07 07:33:32

Hello Pixelmator staff,
I hope will solve the problem of the black interface.
Pixelmator interface it's really user-hostile.

We would like you quickly provide for a better alternative to black
Thanks a lot.
User avatar

2013-10-14 15:26:51

An alternative to black backgrounds for palettes:

+ Readability is lower with iconography and text on black (researched fact)
+ Eyestrain is greater with white on black (researched fact)
+ Laptop usability in marginal light is lower, especially on glossy screens (subjective opinion)

Please offer the alternative of palettes with light backgrounds. The excessive use of black for everything looks cool on a nice desk monitor in optimal lighting, but in the field or in less perfect conditions, it's crap. It's why I no longer use Pixelmator; the black palettes are unreadable on a glossy MacBook screen.
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2013-10-20 16:44:43

I bought Pixelmator and must say the interface is VERY HARD to see, my eyes HURTS
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2013-10-23 06:51:56

Unfortunately v3.0 didn't help out either.. Still stuck with a half-assed user interface that is horrible on the eyes. :(
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2013-10-23 16:04:37

@David... Thanks for the info. Yet another version of Pixelmator that is of absolutely no use to me. Why in the world does Team Pixelmator insist on sticking with this one idiotic color scheme?
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2013-10-25 16:33:58

Please, just as an option.I have no idea how great Pixelmator is becauseit is virtually unusable for me.
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2013-10-30 13:52:29

There are several threads asking for this feature (and have been since version 1, I'm afraid). Looks like Pixelmator couldn't care less about your eyes, I'm afraid.