Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

Hi all,

I have been making progress lately on a new algorithm which will allow me to create synthetic brushtrokes with variable curvature. It is a bit early yet for me to show an example, but I think it will look quite convincing.
The idea is to create a new effect like Painting 7 (brushstrokes), but with different stroke placement and thicker paint. Not quite impasto, but hopefully pleasant enough...

In the meantime, I wish you all a Merry Christmas and Happy holidays! Here is a watercolor from a photo I took a few months back in my hometown of Lyon(s), in the Croix-Rousse area:

 

Best regards,

David

The trials and tribulations of a hobbyist programmer

Hi all,

I know, I know, long time no see... I've been pretty busy lately and could not devote as much time as I would like to FotoSketcher. Such is the plight of the hobbyist programmer ;-)
At least, I am not alone as I have recently learnt that I am part of a large group of 7.5 million developpers worldwide (cf. http://www.computerworld.com/article/2487084/it-careers/the-rise-of-hobbyist-programmers.html).

As for FotoSketcher, I still find time to do some research, think up new ideas, test new algorithms. Once in a while an idea is not too shaky and its translation into code within my capacity as a developper. That's when you see a new effect in FotoSketcher!

But that is just the tip of the iceberg. In the last couple of months alone, I have tested, refined and discarded new algorithms, which simply did not hold up to my expectations. But that's OK. It is part of the fun and a failed idea often sends me on a completely different route, which might lead to a nice new effect.

I'm currently working on some realistic brush strokes to better emulate a hand painted look (using transparent textures, Bezier curves, new stroke placement ideas, etc.).  I don't know yet if that endeavour is going to be fruitful, but I'll keep you posted.

I had also tried a totally different approach, based on the merging of hundreds of different layers - made of geometric shapes - hoping the resulting image would coalesce into a arty approximation of the source image. Alas, the results were rarely up to scratch.

Here is one of the best abstract examples I could produce (click image to view in full size):

Well, it's back to the drawing board for me :-)

Best regards,

David

P.S. As usual, if you like FotoSketcher you are most welcome to buy a me a nice cup of coffee (or tea!).

FotoSketcher 2.99 is officially released :-)

Hi all!

FotoSketcher 2.99 is now officially available for download. As always, FotoSketcher is 100% free for personal or commercial use.

Head to http://www.fotosketcher.com/download-fotosketcher/ to get either the full version (with setup and uninstall) or the portable version.

Here are the main changes in this release:
- addition of a new zoom function for the preview window, which allows you to test an effect on a larger portion of your source image
- correction of a few bugs, most importantly the impossibility in the text tool to add the letters "r" or "l"
- some user interface improvements
 

 

original photo credits: viljack yan (https://www.flickr.com/photos/112329597@N06/14501936936)

Enjoy!

All the best,

David

P.S. If you like FotoSketcher and feel generous, don't hesitate to fuel my cafeine addiction by buying me a nice cup of coffee (I drink tea too!).

New preview zoom feature - sneak peek ***updated***

Hi all,

Just a quick word to let you know that I'm currently working on a new feature, which many of you have asked for: a zooming function for the preview window.

Here is an early screenshot:

This will allow you to get a preview of the current effect over a larger portion of the source image.

5th october 2014 update: 
The new zooming function is now finished and works. It allows you to zoom from 10% to 100% in the preview window. However, I still need to make a few modifications to some of the effects, as previewing at 10% zoom means processing a 2000x2000 pixel area (the preview window is 200x200 pixels) which can be slow for some effects. Sometimes FotoSketcher will be unresponsive during previewing, so I need to address this issue.
BTW, I have also corrected a small bug which prevents users from typing the letters 'r' or 'l' in the text tool.

Best regards,

David

FotoSketcher 2.96 is officially released.

Hi all!

FotoSketcher 2.96 is now officially available for download. As usual, FotoSketcher is 100% free for personal or commercial use.

Head to http://www.fotosketcher.com/download-fotosketcher/ to get either the full version (with setup and uninstall) or the portable version.

This release corrects a few visual glitches (mainly on menus) and improves the user interface.
A new feature has also been introduced; the ability to double the maximum size of brushstrokes in Painting 7 (thanks to FS user Marco for his suggestion) as shown below:

Here is an example made in FotoSketcher 2.96 (Painting 7 with larger brushstrokes + Painting 9):

Enjoy ;)

Best regards,

David

FotoSketcher 2.96 beta available - bug fix and more *** updated ***

Hi all,

Some users have reported a visual bug in version 2.95 (the skinned menus would flicker a lot).
I have completely rewritten all menus and the problem is now hopefully gone.
If you were experiencing the visual glitch in 2.95, here is a beta version for you to try: http://www.fotosketcher.com/FotoSketcher_2.96_beta2.exe

Can you let me know if it works OK for you?

*** 8th september update *** beta2 is available (link above is updated) which solves a few cosmetic problems, and also adds a new "X 2" button for Painting 7 (brushstrokes), which doubles the maximum brush size. This is useful for large images to retain a painterly look. Beware, this can be computer-intensive!

 

Best regards,

David

FotoSketcher 2.95 is officially released. 100% free as always.

Hi all!

FotoSketcher 2.95 is now officially available for download. As usual, FotoSketcher is 100% free for personal or commercial use.

Head to http://www.fotosketcher.com/download-fotosketcher/ to get either the full version (with setup and uninstall) or the portable version.

Here are the new features and changes in this release:

• skinned menus for all three themes (tip: press the INS key to cycle through the interface themes)
• added a new check box to double the size of the manual brush (useful for high resolution images, when the max size was too small)

screenshot: 

• a couple of bug fixes : 
• the most important bug fix concerns Windows Vista users who were sometimes getting a cryptic error message in French "Index de liste hors limite (-1)". Hopefully this is now solved.
• the popup menu was showing incorrectly in the scripts window

• some corrections to the Korean language files (thanks JaeHyung)

Regarding scripts (tip: press F5 to bring up the scripts window), here is a watercolor script which uses the Painting 9 and Painting 1 effects: http://www.fotosketcher.com/watercolor_script.fss (right-click this link and choose "save the target as...").

Here is an example produced with FotoSketcher 2.95 (Painting 9, then Painting 1 on the sky area, using the manual brush):

 

Welsh countryside - summer 2013

Have fun!

David
 

FotoSketcher 2.95 early beta available for testing ***updated beta #2 available***

Hi,

I've just uploaded an early preview of FotoSketcher 2.95.

There are a few cosmetic adjustments, some tweaks (e.g. to the Painting 9 effect), a new check box to double the size of the manual brush (useful on large pictures) and a couple of bug fixes.

The most important bug fix concerns Windows Vista users who were sometimes getting a cryptic error message in French "Index de liste hors limite (-1)".

Here is the download link if you are brave enough to test this early beta version: http://www.fotosketcher.com/FotoSketcher_2.95_beta2.exe

Here is a painting made from a photo of my hometown, Lyon (or Lyons in English):

Best regards,

David 

FotoSketcher 2.90 is officially released. 100% free as always.

Hi!

FotoSketcher 2.90 is now officially available for download. As usual, FotoSketcher is 100% free for personal or commercial use.

Head to http://www.fotosketcher.com/download-fotosketcher/ to get either the full version (with setup and uninstall) or the portable version.

Here are the new features and changes in this release:

• New Painting 9 (watercolor) effect
• Automatic check for update can be disabled manually (replace True by False in the last line of the FotoSketcher.ini file)
• Added stronger error checking to prevent FotoSketcher from becoming unresponsive when trying to reach a non existent directory (for instance on a removed flash drive)
• Updated some code for scripts and batch mode
• A few small bug fixes (new bugs always crop up...)
• Corrected the Korean language file

A special thank you to users Matthew and Ruth for their help in finding a nasty bug in the early beta version ;-)

Here is an example of the new Painting 9 effect (click on image for full view):

 Original image credits: Nicolas Raymond http://www.stockvault.net/photo/138295/mont-saint-michel

And these were the parameters used:

Enjoy :)

Best regards,

David

P.S. If you like FotoSketcher and feel generous, don't hesitate to fuel my cafeine addiction by buying me a nice cup of coffee (I drink tea too!).

Beta version of FotoSketcher 2.90 available for testing (updated)

Hi all,

FotoSketcher 2.90 is almost ready for release and if you wish to test the new painting effect (Painting 9), you can download a fully functional beta version here: http://www.fotosketcher.com/FotoSketcher_2.90_beta3.exe

Here is an example of the new effect (click on image for full view):

 Original photo credit: Alexander Steinhof (https://www.flickr.com/photos/bagger2009/3928050781)

Have fun ;)

All the best,

David
 

Working on a new painting effect (FotoSketcher 2.90)

Hi all,

Just a quick update to let you know that I'm currently working on a brand new painting effect. It's early days yet, but I'll keep you posted when a beta version is available.
This effect is based on a new segmentation algorithm. I've tried to create a loose style (with transparency) in order to emulate a watercolour.

Here is an example (click for larger view):

I hope you like it :)

All the best,

David

FotoSketcher 2.85 is released

Hi all!

I've just released a new version of FotoSketcher. This is mainly a maintenance release, but I suggest you upgrade to make sure you don't encounter any problems. As usual, go to the official download page here: http://www.fotosketcher.com/download-fotosketcher/


These are the new features in version 2.85:
- Fixed a nasty (and stupid) bug in Batch processing mode (CTRL+B) which could cause a complete program freeze when used with some effects (thanks Dmitry!)
- Added a new language: Korean (or Hangul). Thank you to user JaeHyung for his translation :)
- Added an automatic check for update

Original photo credit: Nicolas Raymond - http://www.stockvault.net/photo/138295/mont-saint-michel

Enjoy!

David

FotoSketcher 2.80 is released. 100% free as always.

Hi all,

FotoSketcher 2.80 has been available for a few days and as usual is 100% free, even for commercial work.

To download, go to the following page http://www.fotosketcher.com/download-fotosketcher/ and click on either "FotoSketcher full version" (with full install) or "FotoSketcher portable version" (to use anywhere with no setup) depending on which version you want.

Version 2.80 adds various improvements:

• A brand new photo to sketch effect (which replaces the old pencil sketch 4 effect)
• A revamped Automatic contrast and sharpening function (CTRL+A) with added "vibrance"
• An improved "Vivify photo" effect
• Some bug fixes (I'm aware there are some left :)

Here is an example of the new photo to sketch effect (mixed with Painting 7):

original photo credits: http://www.freepik.com/free-photo/classic-ford-pick-up_618063.htm

Should you wish to still use the old Pencil Sketch 4 effect, I have left the previous version of FotoSketcher (2.75) available on my website (http://www.fotosketcher.com/download-fotosketcher/).

Enjoy!

David 

FotoSketcher 2.80 beta available for testing *** update ***

Hi all,

FotoSketcher 2.80 is nearly ready to be released. If you're interested in testing a beta version, you can download it here: http://www.fotosketcher.com/FotoSketcher_2.80_beta3.exe
***updated*** integer overflow bug corrected (thx Casey) and colour added to the new Pencil Sketch 4 

I have replaced the old "Pencil Sketch 4" effect with a brand new one (see example below) and have improved the "Automatic contrast and sharpening" function (press CTRL+A to improve the source image).

At present the new "Pencil Sketch 4" effect is black & white only. I intend to add colour in the final version.

Original photo credit © Estate of Stanley Tretick, LLC

The new Pencil Sketch 4 effect is now available with colour :

 Original photo credit © Estate of Stanley Tretick, LLC

Best Regards,

David

New Pencil Sketch effect - work in progress

Hi all,

I'm currently experimenting with a brand new Pencil Sketch effect. It's early days yet (and the algorithm needs some optimization as it's a bit slow), but here is an example with some postprocessing for added colour (click on image to view in full size):

And here is an untouched black & white example (click on image to view in full size):

All the best,

David

FotoSketcher 2.75 released - now available in Japanese

Hello all,

Just a quick word to let you know that FotoSketcher in now available in 22 languages, including Japanese (thank you very much for your help, Kazunori-san!).

As usual, head to http://www.fotosketcher.com/download-fotosketcher/ to download the latest version.

Here is a painting of Tokyo bay, made with FotoSketcher 2.75 (click on image for full view):

 

(source image credits: Spreng Ben - http://www.flickr.com/photos/37010090@N04/4419536377/) 

Have fun and be creative!

All the best,

David

Off topic - free Android game - Gem Genie

Hi all,

Disclaimer: This post is not about FotoSketcher, but if you have an Android phone or tablet you might be interested.

Just for fun, I recently wanted to learn Android programming and I have just finished a small (and not very original...) game which is available on Google Play.

You can get it for free (no ads, no in app purchase) here: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.embarcadero.GemGenie

The app is a classic match 3 casual game (à la Bejeweled or Candy Crush), but obviously much more basic. Still I find it enjoyable so if you feel like it, why don't you try to beat the high score :-)

Here are a few screenshots:

  
Have fun,

David

Watercolor example, made with FotoSketcher 2.70

Hi all,

Here is a watercolor of my hometown Lyon (or Lyons) made with FotoSketcher 2.70 (click on image to see in full size).

The original photo was taken by photographer Mouhamad BZOU http://www.facebook.com/m.bzou.photography.

Before you ask :) I'm sorry I did not save the exact parameters I used, but I remember that I first ran the Painting 5 effect, then pressed F12 (to use the resulting picture as a new source) and then I ran the Painting 1 effect with color blending set to a high value (e.g. 160) and strength of effect to a low value (e.g. 5).
With FotoSketcher, experimenting is key!

All the best,

David

Happy New Year 2014!

Dear FotoSketcher users,

I wish you all a very happy new year :-)

Thank you for your support, feedback, suggestions and nice messages from all over the world.

Best regards,

David