Non-Destructive Editing in Pixer: Sidecars, Save vs. Export

TL;DR

Edits live in a .pixer sidecar folder. File > Save (⌘S) deliberately writes them into the original; File > Export (⇧⌘S) always writes a new file. Save is refused for formats that can't be safely rewritten.

The three states

  1. Editing. Adjustments are in the sidecar. The original is untouched.
  2. Export (⇧⌘S). A new JPEG, PNG, TIFF or HEIC is written. The original stays as is.
  3. Save (⌘S). Writes adjustments into the original. Confirmed the first time; refused for formats that can’t be safely rewritten.

Which to use

Almost always Export. Use Save only when you really want the original changed.

Moving files

Take the sidecar folder with the photos.

FAQ

Will my originals change? Not unless you choose File > Save, which is confirmed the first time.

What if I move the photo? Keep the .pixer sidecar folder with the images.

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