Add and manage effects in Pixelmator Pro on iPad
Effects modify the appearance of images, shapes, and text. You can add effects to create dramatic looks with blurs and distortions, to sharpen or color correct an image, and to generate patterns or fills.
You can apply an effect directly to one layer or to multiple selected layers. You can also insert a special layer called an effects layer. When you apply an effect to an effects layer, the effect is applied to all layers below it in the Layers sidebar. Effects are nondestructive, so you can apply, adjust, and remove them without losing detail or information.
Apply effects directly to a layer
You can apply effects directly to a single layer or to multiple layers, isolating changes from the rest of your document.
In Pixelmator Pro on iPad, select one or more layers in the Layers sidebar.
Tap
in the Tools sidebar.
In the Effects pane, tap Add Effect, select an effects category at the top of the browser, then select an effect.
You can add as many effects as you like to a layer.
Important: You can’t paste effects to a color adjustments layer or an empty layer.
Add an effects layer
You can add a special layer called an effects layer, then add effects to it. When you do so, the effects are applied nondestructively to all the layers below it in the Layers sidebar.
In Pixelmator Pro on iPad, tap
in the toolbar, then choose Effects.
Drag the layer to place it anywhere in the Layers sidebar.
Any effects added to it are applied nondestructively to all the layers below it.
Tap
Optional: Repeat step 3 to add more effects.
Copy and paste effects
You can copy the effects from a layer and paste them to another layer.
In Pixelmator Pro on iPad, add effects to a layer.
In the Layers sidebar, touch and hold the layer, then choose Effects > Copy Effects.
Touch and hold another layer, then choose Effects > Paste Effects.
Important: You can’t paste effects to a color adjustments layer or an empty layer.
Reset effects
You can start over at any point by resetting effects in a layer.
In Pixelmator Pro on iPad, add effects to a layer.
Touch and hold the layer, then choose Effects > Reset Effects.
Flatten effects
You can flatten effects in a layer—merging them with the original layer content to permanently apply them. After you flatten effects, you can no longer edit them. You may want to flatten effects as a final step before resizing an image to reduce file size. You might also want to flatten effects to edit the original layer content and applied effects together.
WARNING: If you have transparency in a layer, flattening its effects may result in unexpected color shifts.
In Pixelmator Pro on iPad, add effects to a layer.
Touch and hold the layer, then choose Effects > Flatten Effects.