Video content is more popular than ever before. With the explosion of video sharing apps like TikTok and image-based platforms like Instagram launching their own video services, editing tools and software have never been so in demand.
As a result of this, we’re beginning to see software platforms that previously focused on other disciplines such as photo editing move into the video editing industry themselves. This has opened up new opportunities for editors and content creators and looks set to push the market forward as new, innovative competitors appear. Pixelmator Pro’s new version has introduced video editing capabilities. Let’s take a look in more detail.
What is Pixelmator Pro?
Pixelmator Pro is a Mac-based graphic editing platform that was first launched back in 2007. It offers users a range of features including layer-based editing, painting, retouching, and colour management processing. The software came as the very first Mac-based commercial image editor that supported the WebP format.
Pixelmator Pro’s New Version
In what represented a significant shift from its core image editing function, the new version of Pixelmator Pro introduced video editing capabilities for the first time in the platform’s history.
The video editing features have been expertly integrated and follow similar principles to the software’s image editing features. Users can edit videos in layers and adjust parameters including brightness, contrast, and colour balance, while they can also overlay text and graphics, crop video clips, and apply a range of different filters and effects.
The addition of a playback control bar at the bottom of the screen allows users to scrub back and forth in selected video clips. Pixelmator Pro offers users a number of different export options for their video projects, including MP4, Quicktime, or GIF.
Pros and Cons for users
Many modern video editing platforms can be notoriously complex and difficult to understand. Not to mention, they often come with a hefty price tag or a costly recurring subscription fee.
With the new Pixelmator Pro update, amateur video editors and content creators will have the chance to explore the creative practice of editing video without having to shell out for a top-of-the-line, industry-standard platform. As we are seeing video content production become more commonplace across a range of new demographics, this update could prove vital and will offer newcomers an attractive route to get into the industry.
However, the video editing features in the new Pixelmator Pro update are somewhat lacking when compared to industry-leading platforms. While this might make it an attractive option for beginners, it could also leave some feeling frustrated if they can’t achieve the results they are looking for with the limited tools the software offers them.
For example, Pixelmator Pro does not allow for narrative-focused editing with a timeline like platforms including Final Cut Pro. Instead, users can edit one clip at a time and can’t export several at once as part of one overall project. While this may be perfect for short-from video creators, editors looking for a platform to edit longer projects may be better looking for an alternative.
Pros and Cons for the Industry?
The video editing software industry is booming. We’ve already touched on the popularity of TikTok, but its importance cannot be overstated. We’re seeing an ever-increasing number of people eager to start making videos of their own in the hopes of creating that next viral hit.
What this means is that there is a burgeoning interest in video editing platforms. However, amateur and beginner creators could well be discouraged by both the price and complexity of modern editing platforms and may feel they are not worth their time or money for purely recreational pursuits.
This is where platforms like Pixelmator Pro come in. There is an emerging demographic of content creators that are looking for more affordable and accessible platforms through which they can produce their videos. Pixelmator Pro has done well to identify and target this new market, and has made early steps in what is a novel and rapidly developing demographic.
As we head into 2023, we could well see some of the major software providers take steps to target this demographic themselves through the launch of introductory or ‘Lite’ versions of their platforms. We can also expect to see other software developers who have no previous history of video editing adapt their programs to meet this increasing demand.
Conclusion
Pixelmator Pro’s move into video editing is indicative of a wider industry trend. Video editing is no longer reserved for professional filmmakers, a new market of amateur content creators has emerged and developers must work to target and attract this audience through the products and services they provide. We can certainly expect to see more platforms like Pixelmator Pro appear in the near future, as the rise of video content looks set to continue.
