Pixton

Pixton Created By Tunde Bektas



Password: nyit11
Pixton is a web based click- and-drag comic creator that can be used without any additional software. The free version of Pixton, after an easy sign-up allows users to create imaginative comics right on the web. There is also a school account that permits the users to opt for more choices and settings for a monthly payment of $4.95. According to the website, animating the characters will soon also be an option, which will allow for more creativity. The tool is easy to use after watching the tutorials and spending time on a little practice. The website itself is well organized and easy to navigate. Images and graphics load fast and completely. I could not find any broken link or picture, everything works very well.

How to use Pixton: After signing up for the free account you can start to create a comic strip. In the first step, you must choose a layout, according to your story, how many panels you want, and what size you need. Next, you would choose a background from either a pre-set on the site, or from an uploaded picture. Then you would have to choose the characters, set their bodily and facial expressions, change their looks, position and outfit. After setting everything in order you can add props, and speech or thought bubbles. You must save each panel before you move to the next. You might copy and paste some of your backgrounds or characters to additional panels if necessary. You can even make a poster from one of your panels. Once you finished your comic you can name it, set keywords for easy search and publish it in Pixton.

Pros:


 * There are excellent video tutorials that explain all the possibilities of making your comic
 * There are several different panel set-ups that allow user to choose size, as well as number and shape of panels
 * Comic characters can be picked from character palette as well as made up from scratch
 * There is an option to change a character’s hair style and color, eye color, skin color, outfit, facial expression, and bodily expression
 * There is an option to change the character’s size, rotate, flip, move, or even make it to a silhouette
 * The body of the character can be moved to different directions as well as moved around in 3D in order to have frontal, profile or back views
 * There are several shortcuts and presets for different facial and bodily expressions
 * There is a zoom-in and zoom-out option for easy editing
 * There are different speech and thought bubbles that can be changed according to story line
 * Text style, font, size and color can be edited in speech/thought bubbles
 * There are several props categorized by scenes
 * Ability to upload saved images as well as direct searches for images in Flicker and Google as a background. This feature allows the user to put characters into realistic backgrounds
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Auto-save after the change of each panel

<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Cons:
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Many of the choices in changing characters, backgrounds, speech bubbles as well as facial and bodily expressions are only available in the upgrade
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">After a few minutes of inactivity the program logs out the user without any reminder
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">User can’t print out the comics in the free account
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">After saving comics user must allow Pixton to include the comic in the store database. This means that the user’s comic might end up on cards, t-shirts, mugs etc. without the permission of the user

<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">How I would use Pixton: Students would have to write a short story on how they envision Michelangelo created the Mona Lisa. Students would be encouraged to use their imagination in writing the story. Students would learn the importance of sequencing, and how the story can be turned into a comic. Students would have to make their comic strip with Pixton depicting the creation of the Mona Lisa using appropriate panels, characters, text, facial expressions, and backgrounds. After completion, students would share their story with the class.

<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Pixton would be an excellent tool to use in an educational setting. With the help of this application, teachers could easily incorporate technology into any literacy lesson. This powerful tool would truly enhance the lesson allowing students to use their creativity as well as have fun while learning important key concepts in literacy. Even though there are some drawbacks in the free account, such as limited choices in some of the futures, I would highly recommend this tool to any teacher.

Tunde - I really like the comic you created. I could see how this tool could be incredibly useful in the ELA classroom when teaching students story progression or sequencing. It is disappointing that some many options are not available with the free account but I guess they have to make their money somehow and I guess $4.95 isn't all that bad. ~erin o