LiveQuartz 1.9 is a free pixel-based image editor for Mac OS X users. It is a native application that integrates neatly with the OS X environment. LiveQuartz 1.9 is offered for free download from the official website, along with earlier versions for users of OS X 10.4 and 10.5. However future versions will only be available from the App Store and, though the download cost is low, you will no longer be able to download upgraded versions of this application for free.
Highlights of LiveQuartz
Some of the key features of LiveQuartz include:
- A simple and stylish interface that fits in fully with the OS X environment
- Layer support with transparency
- A basic range of tools with the power for beginner and intermediate users
- Non-destructive filters
- Good range of filters with controls for a variety of creative effects
Why Use LiveQuartz?
For me, the headline feature of LiveQuartz is the implementation of non-destructive filters. These are akin to adjustment layers in Adobe Photoshop and are a very powerful feature that I've not previously encountered within a free pixel-based image editor. This feature allows you to combine multiple filters to produce some advanced and creative results. While other free image editors also give you this power, where LiveQuartz differs is that you can turn off or delete individual filters at anytime without affecting other filters that may have been applied later.
In other free image editors that I have tried, filters and effects are applied in order and the only way to remove a filter is to go back through the history, if available, removing every adjustment that has been made until you get to the filter that you want to remove. There is then no option to reapply all the other adjustments that you had to remove.
Even beyond the non-destructive filters, LiveQuartz is a capable image editor particularly well suited for OS X users looking for a tool for working with their digital photos. The basic drawing tools also offer some flexibility to create more artistic results.
The layers feature allows users to combine multiple layers and images in creative ways and the filters offer a good range of effects for those wanting to produce more advanced results.
The Limitations of LiveQuartz
As mentioned, future versions of LiveQuartz will not be available for free meaning that there will be no upgrade path for this as a free application.
For me the lack of a bezier line tool means that only basic selections are possible, though the Background Eraser makes a reasonable job of removing areas of an image based upon pixel colors which may be sufficient for many users.
While you do have the flexibility of working with and combining layers, it is shame that LiveQuartz doesn't offer any blending modes as these can be an effective and simple way to produce some interesting effects.
System Requirements
LiveQuartz 1.9 requires OS X 10.6.2 (Snow Leopard), but there are still earlier versions available for download that can be run on OS 10.4 (Tiger) and OS X 10.5 (Leopard).
Support and Training
There is a basic Help file that can be accessed from the Help menu within LiveQuartz. This also includes a screencast button that takes you to three tutorial videos on the LiveQuartz website. The website also has a small forum with a section for support requests. It isn't the busiest forum, but the developer does appear to be active in the forum to help users of the application.
LiveQuartz 1.9 can be downloaded from the official website.