Draw vector shapes and graphics in Pixelmator Pro on Mac
Use the Shape tool to create simple or complex vector shapes and graphics. Because vector shapes are composed of vector paths—scalable lines and curves calculated by mathematical formulas—they can be enlarged and modified without quality loss.
All vector shapes in Pixelmator Pro (including vector paths drawn with either pen tool) appear in the Layers sidebar as Shape layers.
Add a shape
In Pixelmator Pro on Mac, select
in the Tools sidebar.
In the Shape pane, click the pop-up menu at the top, then choose a shape.
Drag in the canvas to add the shape.
Tip: You can also choose Insert > Shape, then choose a shape type from the submenu.
Add a common shape from the Tools sidebar
You can add common shapes (Rectangle, Rounded Rectangle, Oval, Polygon, Star, and Line) to the Tools sidebar, then add them to the canvas.
In Pixelmator Pro on Mac, click
at the bottom of the Tools sidebar, then choose Customize Tools.
Drag any of the shape tools (Rectangle, Rounded Rectangle, Oval, and so on) to the top row.
When you’re finished, click Done.
The shape tools are added to the Tools sidebar.
Select one of the shape tools from the Tools sidebar.
Drag in the canvas to add the shape.
Change the size, position, or rotation angle of a shape
In Pixelmator Pro on Mac, Command-click a shape in the canvas to select it
Do any of the following:
Resize the shape: Drag any of the onscreen handles around the shape.
Tip: Select the “Constrain proportions” checkbox in the Shape pane to resize proportionally.
Reposition the shape: Press and hold the Command key and drag the shape in the canvas.
Rotate the shape: Press and hold the Command key and drag any of the shape’s onscreen handles.
Change the basic appearance of a shape
In Pixelmator Pro on Mac, Command-click a shape in the canvas to select it
In the Shape or Polygon pane, do any of the following:
Change the shape fill: Click the color well and select a different color, or click the pop-up menu under Fill and choose Gradient. (To change the default pattern, click Choose, then navigate to and import a custom image from your device.)
Change the shape outline: Turn on Stroke, then use the controls to customize the outline.
Change the appearance of a smart shape
Some shapes in Pixelmator Pro, such as the rounded rectangle, polygon, star, arrows, and speech bubbles have smart handles that you can drag in the canvas to change the shape’s appearance.
In Pixelmator Pro on Mac, Command-click a shape in the canvas to select it
Do any of the following:
Change the corner radius of a rounded rectangle: Drag a white handle inward to make the corners rounder or outward to make the corners less round.
Change the number of sides for a polygon or rhombus: Drag the white handle clockwise or counterclockwise along the guide to add or subtract sides from the shape.
Add or subtract points on a star: Drag the outermost green handle clockwise to add points to the star or counterclockwise to remove points from the star.
Adjust width of points on a star: Drag the innermost green handle inward to make the star’s points narrower or outward to make them wider.
Adjust the width of an arrow’s rod: Drag the green handle inward or outward to make the rod thinner or thicker.
Adjust the shape of a speech bubble’s point: Drag the innermost green handle to make the pointer thinner or thicker. Drag the outermost green handle to make the pointer longer or shorter.