Create layers in Pixelmator Pro on Mac
In Pixelmator Pro, you can create different kinds of layers in a variety of ways. For example, you can create new, empty layers; create layers by adding images or photos stored on your Mac; create layers from selections; add text, shapes, and color adjustment layers; and more.
Available with subscription: Some features require a subscription to Apple Creator Studio. To learn more, see the Apple Creator Studio webpage and the Apple Support article About Apple Creator Studio. |
Create a new empty layer
In Pixelmator Pro on Mac, do any of the following:
Click
at the top of the Layers sidebar, then choose Empty Layer.
Choose Insert > Empty Layer.
A new, empty layer is added to the Layers sidebar above the currently selected layer. (If you don’t see the Layers sidebar, choose View > Show Layers.)
Add image, video, shape, text, effect, and color adjustment layers
In Pixelmator Pro on Mac, click
Choose one of the following:
Color Adjustments: Creates a new color adjustments layer, and opens the Color Adjustments pane, where you can modify color and exposure settings for all layers underneath the new Color Adjustments layer in the Layers sidebar.
Effects: Creates a new effects layer, and opens the Effects pane, where you can add effects to all layers underneath the new effects layer in the Layers sidebar.
Text: Creates a new text layer. To edit and customize the text, select
in the Tools sidebar.
Circular Text: Creates a new text layer containing placeholder text along a circular path.
Shape: Creates a new shape layer containing the shape you choose.
Generate Shape: Uses generative AI models to generate a custom shape from a text-to-shape prompt, then creates a new layer containing that shape.*
Browse Content Hub: Creates a new layer containing a premium image from the Content Hub.
Photos or Videos: Creates a layer containing an image or video from the Photos app.
Take Photo: Captures an image using your devices’s camera, then creates a new layer containing that image.
Generate Image: Uses generative AI models to generate an image from a text-to-image prompt, then creates a new layer containing that image.*
Image Playground: Uses Apple Intelligence** or other generative AI models to generate an image from a text-to-image prompt, then creates a new layer containing that image.
Note: Apple Intelligence is not available on all Mac models or in all languages or regions.*** To access the most recent available features, make sure you’re using the latest version of macOS and have Apple Intelligence turned on.
Choose: Creates a layer containing an image or video imported from your Mac or a connected device. Use this option to add multilayered PXD, PXM, and PSD documents, and SVG files.
Create a new layer from a selection
In Pixelmator Pro on Mac, select a layer in the Layers sidebar.
If you don’t see the Layers sidebar, choose View > Show Layers.
Make a selection in the canvas.
Do one of the following:
Choose Edit > Copy, then choose Edit > Paste.
Control-click the selection and choose Copy and Paste as Layer.
A new layer containing the selection is added to the Layers sidebar.
Note: You can’t create a new layer by copying and pasting from video, text, color adjustment, effects, shape, or emptylayers.