Acorn (software)

Acorn is a raster graphic editor for macOS developed by August Mueller of Flying Meat Inc, based out of Mukilteo, Washington, United States. Acorn was first released on September 10, 2007[2] and was built upon the framework of a previous image editing application of Flying Meat Inc., FlySketch.[3]

Acorn
Developer(s)Flying Meat Inc.
Initial releaseSeptember 10, 2007 (2007-09-10)
Stable release6.5.3 (November 20, 2019 (2019-11-20)[1]) [±]
Operating systemmacOS
TypeRaster graphics editor
LicenseProprietary
Websiteflyingmeat.com/acorn/

Acorn makes extensive use of Apple's Core Image framework for its image processing,.[4][5] The native file format of Acorn is .acorn. Acorn combines vector drawing with bitmap editing,[6] and has been described as an alternative to Photoshop.[7] Key features of Acorn include image filters, a custom color picker, a brush designer, and image editing tools such as crop, erase, paint, select, pan, zoom, move, clone, smudge, dodge, and burn.[8]

Major Features
  • Layers based editing
  • Layer masks and blending modes
  • Multi-layer screenshots [9]
  • Nondestructive stackable filters[10]
  • Curves and levels
  • Multi-stop live gradients
  • Scriptable [11]
  • Automator support [11]
  • Built in brush designer to create custom brushes
  • Photoshop brush import
  • Vector shapes, Bézier pen tool, and text tools
  • Shape processor
  • Circle text tool
  • RAW image import
  • Multiple selection tools including quick mask and magic wand
  • Smart layer export
  • Web export
  • Guides, grids, rulers, and snapping
  • Native support for Apple’s retina displays
  • Color profile management
  • Deep color image support
  • Documentation online and in ePub format
  • Runs on Metal 2[12]

Version history
Version Initial Release Date OS Compatibility Notable Features
1.0 - 1.5.5[13][14] September 10, 2007 10.4 - 10.10[15] Initial release;[16] brush designer,[14] fancy crop, open and save JPEG 2000 images
2.0 - 2.6.5[13] September 13, 2009 10.6 - 10.10 [15] Layered screenshots, rulers, RAW image support, 64 bit support, touchup tools, JSTalk scripting support, AppleScript support, layer groups, guides and snapping, layer masks, WebP
3.0 - 3.5.2[13] April 12, 2011 10.6 - 10.10 [15] Layer styles,[17] quick mask, instant alpha,[9] live multi-stop gradients, new filters, add/subtract points on Bézier curves, full screen support, autosave and versions, retina canvas support,[18] smart layer export, web export scaling, new blending modes [19]
4.0 - 4.5.7[13] May 2, 2013 10.8 - 10.12 [15] Nondestructive stackable filters,[7] curves adjustment,[11] vector line join style, multi-layer selection,[10] save selection with file, CMYK support when saving as JPEG and TIFF, editable image depth, sharing support, soft eraser, live font updates, live blending updates, share extension for Photos
5.0 - 5.6[13] August 20, 2015 10.10+ [15] Shape processor, nondestructive curves and levels, improved PDF import, Photoshop brush import, image metadata editing, basic SVG support, deep color image support, circle text tool, new color picker, improved color management[20]
6.0 - 6.3.3[13] July 10, 2017 10.11+ [15] Text on a path, clone tool works across layers and images, new Web Export features, smart layer export settings palette, new Bézier tools, color profiles, make shape from selection [21]

Reviews and awards

See also

References
  1. "Acorn Release Notes". Retrieved November 24, 2019.
  2. Kim, Arnold (September 10, 2007). "New Mac Image Editor Acorn". MacRumors. Retrieved September 28, 2016.
  3. Viticci, Frederico (December 18, 2012). "Mac Stories Interviews Gus Mueller". MacStories. Retrieved September 28, 2016.
  4. Lee, Mike; Meyers, Scott (2009). Learn Mac OS X Snow Leopard. New York, NY: Apress. p. 572. ISBN 978-1-4302-1947-7.
  5. Mueller, August (August 21, 2015). "Acorn, OS 10.11 El Capitan and You". FlyingMeatBlog. Retrieved January 11, 2017.
  6. Turbell, Giles (February 21, 2012). "Acorn is a Fine Image Editor for Everyone". CultofMac. Retrieved January 9, 2017.
  7. Friedman, Lex (May 1, 2013). "Review: Acorn 4 adds impressive features and a smart new look". MacWorld. Retrieved January 9, 2017.
  8. "Best Mac Photo Editing Software". TopTenReviews. Retrieved November 7, 2016.
  9. Girard, David (October 30, 2011). "The seed of something great: Acorn 3.1 reviewed". ArsTechnica. Retrieved January 9, 2017.
  10. Sumra, Husain (May 2, 2013). "Acorn 4 image editor adds improved speed, enhanced user interface, and more". MacRumors. Retrieved January 9, 2017.
  11. Blagdon, Jeff (May 2, 2013). "Review: Acorn 4 flies through image editing with new filter UI, improved speed, and curves". TheVerge. Retrieved January 9, 2017.
  12. "Acorn Feature List". Flying Meat Inc. Retrieved June 21, 2020.
  13. "Acorn Release Notes". Flying Meat Inc. Retrieved July 25, 2017.
  14. Berka, Justin (January 5, 2009). "Mac-based image editor Acorn bumped to version 1.5". ArsTechnica. Retrieved January 9, 2017.
  15. "Acorn FAQ". Flying Meat Inc. Retrieved September 29, 2016.
  16. Chartier, David (September 10, 2007). "Acorn? The OS X image editor we've been waiting for". ArsTechnica. Retrieved January 9, 2017.
  17. Turnbull, Giles (April 20, 2011). "Acorn image editor updated with new features, special price". CultofMac. Retrieved January 9, 2017.
  18. Sorrel, Charlie (June 22, 2012). "Acorn 3.3 to get awesome 'retina canvas'". CultofMac. Retrieved January 9, 2017.
  19. Smith, Barrie. "Acorn Version 3.5.1 Image Editing Software". DigitalPhotographySchool. Retrieved January 9, 2017.
  20. Keller, Joseph (August 20, 2015). "Acorn 5 for Mac arrives to let you take control of shapes". iMore. Retrieved January 9, 2017.
  21. "Acorn 6". July 10, 2015. Retrieved July 25, 2017.
  22. "Acorn image editor worth scooping up". The Houston Chronicle. February 19, 2015. Retrieved November 7, 2016.
  23. Gibbs, Samuel (May 6, 2013). "The 25 Best Alternatives to Photoshop". The Guardian. Retrieved November 7, 2016.
  24. "25th Annual Editor's Choice". MacWorld. December 10, 2009. Retrieved September 28, 2016.
  25. Viticci, Frederico (December 17, 2013). "Apple Posts "Best of 2013" iTunes Lists". MacStories. Retrieved September 28, 2016.
  26. Nelson, Tom (August 29, 2016). "Acorn 5: Tom's Mac Software Pick". LifeWire. Retrieved January 23, 2017.
  27. Lobo, Pedro (July 5, 2013). "Clash of the Image Editors: Acorn vs Pixelmator". MacAppstorm. Retrieved January 9, 2017.
  28. Stewart, Craig (August 4, 2016). "16 essential photo editor apps". CreativeBloq. Retrieved January 9, 2017.
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