Session 4 - The Pixlr Web Editor

The Pixlr Editor Tools

The Toolbar is located on the left hand side of the screen.

If you have used Photoshop or similar editing tools before, you should find the screen layout quite familiar.

This is a bit messy, but the following image explains what each of the tools do. It kinda grew as I was going.

You can also find information about the toolbar here https://pixlr-old.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/202274264-The-Pixlr-Editor-toolbar-explained

Or if you prefer a video, click here

The best way to see what these tools do is to play with them!! BUT Before we do, the first thing we need to understand about Pixlr (and similar photo editing tools) is that they work with layers.

Layers

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=txP6b8ZeRUc

I will start with some of the Selection tools and go from there. For this exercise, I have loaded an image from my computer.

The Basics - Crop and Resizing

You can crop an image by selecting the area and choosing Crop from the Image menu or you can use the crop tool.

Watch the Video here

Marquee, Lasso and Wand

The Magic Wand tool allows you to select pixels within a colour range. You can increase the tolerance to select a larger variation from the selection. If you hold the Shift key down, you can add to your selection or use the Ctrl key to take away from the selection.

Once you are happy with the selection, you can apply a variety of tools or you can copy and paste it onto another image. The magic wand works best when there are solid colours. To see how well this worked on my image, I will invert the selection and cut the selection.

Not perfect, but not too bad.

The Lasso tool allows you to draw around the edge of the item you want to select. There are 2 different lasso tools that you can select from the options. The freehand lasso and the polygonal lasso. The freehand lasso is where you can use the mouse to trace over the selection. The polygonal tool allows you to click the mouse and place markers along the way. Shift key adds and the Alt (option) key subtracts points.

A simple Cut and Paste onto another image will show how well my selection went.

Online Tutorial from Pixlr - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CYyc5Gk7JGw

Activity 1

Using the Pixlr Editor, load an image and select an area using any of the above selection tools. Once you have an area selected try changing the selection to black and white or apply a filter.

Activity 2

Using any of the above tools, select an area of an image and merge it with another image.

Here is an example

Drawing tools

For this exercise, I have started an image from scratch using the default size

You can start by adding a plain or gradient background colour, or create colours using shapes. All of the tools have separate options so make sure that you look at what is available.

When you use the gradient tool, you can use one of the predefined styles or create your own.

Lots of different brushes available. Use the More button to add them to your pallette.

So my masterpiece......

Text

The Text tool allows you to add text to your image. You can change font, size and text colour.

Activity 1

Use the tools you have just learnt, create a simple Meme (photo plus funny text) and post in the Facebook Group

Activity 2

Use the drawing tools to create a freehand image with Pixlr. If you are not that creative, try creating a nice background. Post your end image to the Facebook group

Tutorial on Pixlr drawing tools - click here

Photo Editing Tools

Colour Replacement

You can use the Colour Replacement tool to change a colour within your image. The colour replacement tool keeps the original shadings of your selection and colours it to your main coour.

From Pink to blue.

Tutorial on colour replacement tool

Clone Tool

You can use the Clone tool to remove items from your image.

Take a sample from somewhere near that can replace the area you are removing, and then just paint away.

For more information on the the Clone Tool

Spot Heal and Redeye Reduction

The Spot Heal in the Pixlr Editor works in the same way as Pixlr Express. The Spot Heal tool will look at the surrounding pixels and allow you to remove small blemishes or scratches from a photo.

Red Eye reduction essentially paints over the area in black, hence removing the red eye or flash reflection from your image.

Activity 3

Try using the Spot Healing tool on a photo. Post a before and after image to the Facebook Group

Activity 4

Try using the clone tool to remove an unwanted piece of your image. Post a before and after image to the Facebook Group.

Layer Masks

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hSOCn-3ABA8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V7Gi7ZHyfcE

Activity 5

Try using the Layer Mask to create some fancy text or to combine 2 images. Post your result to the Facebook group.

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