Apple’s First Pixelmator Pro Update Post-Acquisition Brings Apple Intelligence to the Forefront

In a significant move for creative professionals and casual users alike, Apple has released Pixelmator Pro 3.7, marking the first major update to the popular image editing app since its acquisition by Apple in November 2024, finalized in February 2025. This update, rolled out on June 30, 2025, integrates Apple Intelligence features, enhances accessibility, and adds support for advanced RAW image formats, signaling Apple’s intent to keep Pixelmator Pro as a standalone powerhouse while infusing it with its cutting-edge AI capabilities. Here’s a deep dive into what’s new and why this update matters.

A New Chapter for Pixelmator Pro

Pixelmator Pro has long been celebrated as a robust, user-friendly alternative to Adobe Photoshop, offering powerful image editing tools at a one-time purchase price of $49.99. When Apple acquired Pixelmator, many users were concerned about the app’s future, fearing it might be absorbed into Apple’s Photos app or lose its unique identity. However, the release of version 3.7 dispels those worries, showing that Apple is committed to maintaining Pixelmator Pro as a standalone application while enhancing it with its own technological advancements.

The update introduces Apple Intelligence features, namely Image Playground and Writing Tools, alongside accessibility improvements and expanded RAW format support. This blend of AI-driven creativity and practical enhancements underscores Apple’s vision to make Pixelmator Pro more versatile and accessible to a broader audience.

Apple Intelligence Takes Center Stage

Image Playground: AI-Powered Creativity

The headline feature of Pixelmator Pro 3.7 is the integration of Apple Intelligence’s Image Playground, a tool designed to spark creativity by generating original images based on photos, text descriptions, or people from the user’s Photos library. This feature allows users to create images in various artistic styles, such as animation, illustration, or sketch, directly within Pixelmator Pro.

With the new “Add to Playground” feature, users can transform existing image layers or drawings into these stylized formats, making it easier to experiment with creative ideas. For instance, a designer could take a photo, apply an illustration-style transformation, and insert it as a new layer in their project. This is particularly useful for those working with templates or mockups, as placeholder images can now be replaced with custom Image Playground creations, streamlining workflows and adding a playful, artistic edge to designs.

Image Playground’s integration feels like a natural fit for Pixelmator Pro, which has always prioritized ease of use and creative flexibility. However, some users on platforms like MacRumors forums have expressed mixed feelings, noting that Image Playground’s output can lean toward cartoonish styles, which may not always suit professional needs. Apple seems aware of this, positioning the feature as a way to “bring creative ideas to life faster,” particularly for casual users or those exploring artistic concepts.

Writing Tools: Text Editing with AI Smarts

While Pixelmator Pro is primarily an image editor, it’s not uncommon for users to incorporate text into their designs, whether for posters, social media graphics, or presentations. The addition of Apple Intelligence’s Writing Tools brings AI-driven text enhancement to the app, allowing users to proofread, summarize, rewrite, or adjust the tone of text within their projects. Users can access these tools by control-clicking highlighted text and selecting Writing Tools, making it seamless to refine text without leaving the app.

A notable inclusion is the “Compose with ChatGPT” option, which lets users generate new text based on prompts or descriptions. This could be a game-changer for designers who need quick, polished captions or placeholder text for mockups. For example, a user creating a promotional graphic could use Writing Tools to generate a professional tagline or summarize a lengthy description to fit a constrained space.

While some users have questioned the necessity of Writing Tools in a photo editing app, as seen in comments on MacRumors forums, it aligns with Apple’s broader push to integrate Apple Intelligence across its ecosystem, enhancing productivity and creativity in unexpected ways.

Accessibility Improvements for a Wider Audience

Apple has long championed accessibility, and Pixelmator Pro 3.7 reflects this commitment with several updates designed to make the app more inclusive. Enhanced VoiceOver support now provides spoken and braille descriptions of Pixelmator Pro’s tools, making it easier for visually impaired users to navigate the interface. Additionally, users can use their keyboard to move through tool option items with VoiceOver, improving efficiency.

Another thoughtful addition is Hover Text, which displays tool names in large text when users hover over items in the Tools sidebar. This feature benefits users with visual impairments or those who simply prefer a clearer, more prominent display of tool names. These changes not only broaden Pixelmator Pro’s accessibility but also align it with Apple’s ecosystem-wide focus on inclusive design.

RAW Support for Power Users

For professional photographers and advanced users, Pixelmator Pro 3.7 introduces support for RAW images from the OM SYSTEM OM-1 Mark II camera, specifically those taken using its High Res Shot mode. This addition allows users to open and edit high-resolution RAW files directly in the app, catering to those who demand precision and quality in their photo editing workflows. While not as extensive as previous updates like version 3.6’s AI-powered masking or 3.5’s HDR support, this enhancement ensures Pixelmator Pro remains a viable tool for pro-level image editing.

What This Update Means for Pixelmator Pro’s Future

The release of Pixelmator Pro 3.7 is a promising sign for users who were apprehensive about Apple’s acquisition. Unlike past acquisitions like Aperture, which was discontinued, or Dark Sky, which was integrated into Apple’s Weather app, Pixelmator Pro remains a standalone offering. The integration of Apple Intelligence suggests that Apple sees Pixelmator Pro as a key player in its creative software lineup, potentially positioning it as a competitor to Adobe Photoshop while maintaining its approachable, one-time-purchase model.

However, the update also raises questions about the app’s long-term direction. Some users, as noted in posts on X, hope Apple will bring Pixelmator Pro to the iPad, a platform where it’s currently absent, unlike the simpler Pixelmator app. Others worry that Apple might eventually integrate Pixelmator’s features into its Photos app or shift to a subscription model, though there’s no indication of this yet. For now, Apple’s focus seems to be on enhancing Pixelmator Pro’s capabilities while leveraging its existing strengths to reach a wider audience.

Pricing and Availability

Pixelmator Pro 3.7 is a free update for existing users and remains available for a one-time purchase of $49.99 on the Mac App Store. The app requires a compatible Mac with Apple Intelligence support for the new AI features, which include devices with M1 chips or later, set to supported languages like English, French, German, and others.

Final Thoughts

The Pixelmator Pro 3.7 update is a clear statement from Apple: Pixelmator Pro is here to stay, and it’s getting the Apple Intelligence treatment to make it even more versatile. By integrating Image Playground and Writing Tools, enhancing accessibility, and adding pro-level RAW support, Apple is bridging the gap between casual creativity and professional workflows. While some may find the AI features more suited to playful or experimental use, they add a layer of convenience and innovation that complements Pixelmator Pro’s existing strengths.

As Apple continues to refine its creative software portfolio, Pixelmator Pro 3.7 is a reassuring step forward, proving that the app can thrive under Apple’s umbrella while retaining its identity as a powerful, user-friendly editing tool. Whether you’re a seasoned designer or a casual creator, this update offers something new to explore, with the promise of more exciting developments to come.