Pixelformer is an advanced icon editor which is designed to give you full control over every pixel of your images. With its predictability and subpixel precision you can easily create professional quality icons and bitmaps.
The main features of Pixelformer are: - no restrictive limits for image dimensions - support for different color depths up to 32-bit RGB with alpha channel - lossless target color depth switching - semi-transparent colors - free-form masking - multiple layer support - in-place supersampling - dynamic palette generation - multiple file format support - plugin extensible architecture - icon extraction capability - PNG size optimization - Vista icon optimization - alpha premultiplication - deep undo buffer
No restrictive limits for image dimensions
Pixelformer does not limit dimensions of images being edited to values typical for icons. In particular, it 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 channel
Using Pixelformer, you always work in 32-bit RGBA color space. Just tag image with desired output color depth, and Pixelformer will generate appropriate palette, preview, and data for export.
Lossless target color depth switching
Because working color space is always 32-bit RGBA, it is enough to switch the "target color format" option when you need to change color depth of the resulting image. All image data will remain unchanged.
Semi-transparent colors
In addition to semi-transparent layers and semi-transparent drawing, Pixelformer allows you to use semi-transparent colors, offering you more control over transparency effects.
Color editor click to enlarge...
Free-form masking
Using the selection tools, you can create a region of arbitrary form and use it as a mask constraining the drawing area or as a selection for image manipulation.
Multiple layer support
Any image in a Pixelformer project can consist of unlimited number of layers. The layering greatly simplifies composition of complex images.
In-place supersampling
With 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 raster editors. The supersampling also helps to convert photos to icons by simplifying the edge trimming process and retaining a possibility to refine the result and align it to the pixel grid.
Main window click to enlarge...
Dynamic palette generation
While creating non-truecolor images in Pixelformer, there is no need to worry about available color set - a highly optimized palette and corresponding preview are automatically generated in real time.
Multiple file format support
Currently Pixelformer supports BMP, PNG, PSD, TGA, JPEG, ICO and CUR file formats as well as EXE, DLL and ICL multiple image containers.
Plugin extensible architecture
The support for different file formats can be extended using appropriate plugins. The SDK will be available shortly.
Icon extraction capability
Pixelformer is able to extract icons, cursors and bitmaps from executable files and ICL icon libraries.
PNG size optimization
Pixelformer contains a PNG optimizer, which finds optimal PNG compressor parameters during export, and thus losslessly minimizes size of the PNG image file.
PNG options click to enlarge...
Vista icon optimization
Because Vista icons contain PNG-compressed subimages, the PNG optimizing engine reduces the icon file sizes as well.
ICO options click to enlarge...
Alpha premultiplication
When necessary, images containing an alpha channel can be exported from Pixelformer with premultiplied alpha.
BMP options click to enlarge...
Deep undo buffer
Pixelformer efficiently compresses undo data, keeping for you long history of operations while maintaining low memory usage.
