Pixeluvo 1.5.2

Overview

Pixeluvo is an image editing, image manipulating and graphics creation application. This powerful utility contains all the basic functions for photo editing as well as some advanced features. Features include image resizing, cropping, rotating, flipping, color correction, Brightness/Contrast setting, cloning, full set of digital painting tools and many other useful and handy functions. The real beauty of Pixeluvo is its excellent advanced features that include non-destructive editing using adjustment layers, numerous pre-set effects and image enhancement filters. Fx Brush for precision photo correction and a spot heal tool. A warp tool is also present to manipulate the picture in many possible ways.

Installation

Installation is very simple and free from any adware. Just clicking on the downloaded executable file installs the application smoothly. It is supported on Windows XP, Vista, Windows 7 and Windows 8. 4GB RAM is recommended although it works fine even with 2 GB RAM. It needs a 32 or 64 bit CPU with SSE2 support (64 bit is recommended).

Interface

Of all the features of Pixeluvo, the interface is truly outstanding. The interface is intuitive and modern which makes the Pixeluvo look like a professional high quality application. The grey color scheme and convenient placement of controls always keep the real artwork in focus and make it an object of undivided attention. All the Menus, Option bars and Panels are placed in such a way that they do not hinder the artistic work in any way and maximize productivity. A navigator is provided to pan around the image in an easy manner. The information thumbnail displays the mouse position and pixel color under the mouse at any time.

Features

Apart from basic features, Pixeluvo includes many powerful tools for editing images. Each job is treated as a project and projects can be created with any number of layers and masks. Provision of adjustment layers for non-destructive editing , adjustable color correction tools and numerous pre-set brush tools make Pixeluvo a product of choice for image manipulation jobs. The Paintbrush has many brush presets to choose from. Quick color filters are available to apply hundreds of pre-set color balance and contrast settings to an image and transform its effect magically in a few clicks. Other useful effects and tools include Vignette & Lighting effects, Spot heal tool, Clone tool, Text tool and a Warp tool. It also supports pressure sensitive graphics tablets.

A small pop-up bar at the bottom of the screen keeps displaying tool tips and little bits of help for a new user.

Pros

• Excellent eye soothing interface, easy to use.
• Non-destructive editing using adjustment layers
• Innovative effects & filters like photo vignette and skin softening and clarity enhancing filter.
• Navigator and picture information thumbnail are useful features

Cons

• Text Tool has good functionality but manipulation of text in layers is difficult as compared to some other tools.
• Not a con per se, but be aware that the free version does not allow saving an image higher than 800x600

Alternatives

Gimp, Photo Pos Pro, Paint.net, PhotoScape, Adobe PhotoShop, Corel PaintShop Photo, Corel PaintShop Pro.

Conclusion

Pixeluvo stands out among all the picture editing applications in the free category. It can be used for all kinds of image manipulation and image editing requirements in day-to-day life. Simple and intuitive interface makes the learning curve short so that a user can master it in just a few hours.