The latest major update to the popular image editing app, called Pixelmator Pro 2.3, went live on the Mac App Store on Tuesday and brings a new automatic background removal feature, new Select and Mask tools, and more.
The developers of the app say that it's now possible for users to remove the background with a single click. The new feature is based on machine learning models that can find a subject in almost any image and automatically strip out the background, and it's also available in Finder as a built-in Quick Action.
A new artificial intelligence-powered Decontaminate colors feature can remove traces of the old background from the edges of objects left behind, allowing them to blend with any new background. Decontaminate colors can be applied manually in any layer, even those that have been cut out in other apps.
Automatic Subject Selection is built on the same set of machine learning algorithms and allows users to make a selection of the subject of any image with just a click. A new Select and Mask tool makes it easier to select difficult areas of subjects like hair, fur, and other objects with complex edges.
A new Refine Edge brush lets users brush over tricky edges to get the selection they want.
The developers say that the new features are powered by Core ML and Apple Neural Engine, which makes them "fly" on the latest M1 powered devices, thanks to their overall speed and the Apple Neural Engine. Background removal on M1 devices takes up to 2 minutes and 30 seconds and on Intel devices it takes up to 3 minutes.
The ability to specify custom export sizes and scales is one of the small changes in the update. There are more details in the release notes. There's a 50% discount off the app price in the Mac App Store for existing users of version 2.3.
