View source for Pixia

{{Short description|Graphic editing software}}
{{Expand Japanese|date=October 2024}}
{{Infobox Software
| name = Pixia
| logo = Pixia`s new mascot.jpg
| screenshot = File:Pixia 6.03c.png
| caption = Pixia 6.03c running on [[Windows 10]].
| author = Isao Maruoka, Tacmi Co.
| released = {{Start date and age|1998}}
| developer = Isao Maruoka
| latest release version = 6.62b (32-bit)<br>6.61p (64-bit)
| latest release date = {{Start date and age|2024|10|08}} (32-bit)<br>{{Start date and age|2024|03|12}} (64-bit)
| operating system = [[Microsoft Windows]] (Windows 2000 / XP / Vista / 7); older versions support Windows 95 / 98 / ME / NT 4.0
| platform = 
| language = [[Pixia#Miscellaneous|Multilingual]] (10)
| genre = [[Raster graphics editor]]
| license = [[Freeware]]
| website = {{URL|www.pixia.jp}}
}}
'''Pixia''' is a [[freeware]] [[raster graphics editor]] program for [[Microsoft Windows|Windows]], created by {{nihongo|Isao Maruoka|丸岡 勇夫|Maruoka Isao}}. It was originally designed for the [[anime]]/[[manga]] community but has also been used in other branches of art. A successor to '''ART/fw''', a full-color graphics tool developed for [[Windows 3.1]], ver. 0 was released in the fall of 1998 and celebrated its 15th anniversary in 2013.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=http://www.pixia.jp/15anniv/index.html|title=15周年記念イラスト|access-date=2024-10-06|archive-date=2024-10-07|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241007103817/http://www.pixia.jp/15anniv/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The program is still being upgraded at a high frequency. 

In addition to Pixia, other versions were developed under the names '''A/PIXIA''' and '''Phierha''' to enhance functions, but they were never officially released. After reviewing those versions, Pixia ver. 5 was released in 2009. Ver. 5 also features significant changes in interface design, among others.

Although ver.4 continues to be supported for users who prefer the conventional interface, the focus of development has shifted to ver.6, resulting in the existence of two series of Pixia.

==Overview and features==
The program has a layer function, masks, blending planes, and transparent color planes (filter required). It supports external plug-ins to add data read/write formats and to expand functionality such as integration with other software. Filters and plug-ins are created and published by volunteers on many sites. Some attempts were made to mutually use [[Adobe Photoshop]] and Pixia filters.

For a long time, Pixia could not manage [[GIF]] files by default because the software was developed before the GIF patent expired. However, since ver. 4 released after the expiration of the GIF patent, GIF files have been available as a standard feature.

There were also multiple language versions for the program, including Japanese, English, French, German, Spanish, Hungarian, Italian, Polish, Chinese (simplified and traditional), and Korean, but only the Japanese and English versions have been released since ver. 4.

In addition to the freeware version, there is also a paid version of the software that comes with [[Wacom]] and other tablets with additional material data, among others. Paid filters and downloads with support are also available.<ref name=":0" />

==Reception==
A CNET Editors' Review in January 2011 called Pixia "one of the most capable and professional Photoshop alternatives we've tried."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://download.cnet.com/pixia/3000-2192_4-10112912.html|title=Pixia for Windows|access-date=2024-10-06|archive-date=2023-03-28|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230328111026/http://download.cnet.com/Pixia/3000-2192_4-10112912.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

==See also==
*[[Comparison of raster graphics editors]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*{{Official website|https://www.ne.jp/asahi/mighty/knight/|International site}} {{in lang|en}}

{{Raster graphics editors}}

[[Category:Raster graphics editors]]
[[Category:2000 software]]

{{graphics-software-stub}}