New beta available (v 1.85) - update

Hi,

Version 1.85 is almost ready. I've uploaded a release candidate, which you can download here: http://www.fotosketcher.com/FotoSketcher_beta.exe

The main change apart from the sketch effect improvement is the addition of coloured frames. Here's a screenshot:


Best regards,

David

New beta available (v 1.85)

Hi all,

If you like to be on the bleeding edge, you might want to try the latest beta version of FotoSketcher, which you can download here: http://www.fotosketcher.com/FotoSketcher_beta.exe

This beta version corrects quite a number of minor bugs, adds two new frames and improves the original Sketch effect.

As usual, your comments or suggestions are most welcome!

Best regards,

David

Official release of FotoSketcher 1.8

Version 1.8 of FotoSketcher is finally available. You can download it for free at http://www.fotosketcher.com/

Here are some of the new functions you will find :
- 3 new effects (sketch 2 - black & white, sketch 3 - colour and painting 4)
- resizeable left and right panes (move the mouse to the separation line)
- right-clickable magnifying glass icons (the center one sizes the image to best fit the pane)
- the zoom percentage value is editable (just click on the value)
- the source image modification functions are now on one screen, with a preview window
- a link has been added to an online help page (which will be available in the future)
- a better text function (you can move the text with your mouse better than before), with the possibility to add a shadow
- if you move the images around fast, they will continue to move in the same direction for a while (useful on large images or if you zoom a lot)

Here are some example images produced with version 1.8 (original photos courtesy of Stock Xchng):

Black & white sketch 2:


Colour Sketch 3 (first version):


Colour Sketch 3 (second version - with different parameters):


Painting 4:


Best regards,

David

Tweaking a new algorithm

Hi all,

I'm working on yet another rendering style (new b&w or colour sketch). Here are a couple of examples (click on images to view full size):


Best regards,

David

Experimenting a new painting style

Just a quick word to let you know that I'm already working on the next version of FotoSketcher.

Here are a couple of "paintings" made with a new algorithm that I'm currently experimenting (click on images to view full size):

Images credit Stock.xchng.

Best regards,

David

FotoSketcher for Linux users

Hi all,

Even though FotoSketcher is being developed (in Turbo DELPHI) primarily for Windows PCs, I had been wondering for a time whether it would run in Linux using the famous and free emulator WINE.

A Linux user (hi Alexis!) has just confirmed that FotoSketcher runs fine under WINE.

This is great news, so if you want to use FotoSketcher in Linux, just grab WINE from the official site: http://www.winehq.org/

I am also told that Mac users can run WINE (and therefore FotoSketcher), but I don't know how to proceed. Don't hesitate to respond to this post if you have any success.

Cheers,

David

Release of FotoSketcher 1.7

This new version adds quite a lot of new features and improvements.

Here is a list of things added or changed from previous versions:
- brand new interface (clearer and more responsive), with icons
- batch processing function
- load and save drawing parameters
- drag and drop image file on the application icon
- drag and drop image file on the source image pane
- optimised median filter (painting 3 rendering is now twice as fast)
- small bug-fix in painting 2 and 3 algorithms
- realistic frames
- add text function
- possibility to cancel an operation
- faster 'increase colour saturation', 'simplify source image' and 'increase contrast' algorithms
- smooth resize source image to any size (with better dialog form)
- drag images with the mouse
- keyboard shortcuts to most functions
- added a donation button for those who wish to support the development of FotoSketcher

Here is a screenshot of version 1.7:


As usual, don't hesitate to send me your remarks and suggestions at the following address: contact@fotosketcher.com

Best regards,

David

FotoSketcher 1.7 beta is available to download

Hi all,

I wish to thank the selected few who tested the beta version of FotoSketcher 1.7 so far (Jérôme F., Henrik L. and Petr A. for instance) and I've decided to make the beta version available to all.

You can download a stable and standalone version (no setup) here : http://www.fotosketcher.com/FotoSketcher_beta.exe

Please let me know if you find any bugs!

Also, you might want to check a nice photo blog called Photo Infos, which mentions FotoSketcher. The address of the blog is http://photoinfos.blogspot.com/

Best regards,

David

Example of the new 'realistic frame' feature - available soon...

Hi all,

Here are three examples of paintings made with the soon to be released version of FotoSketcher 1.7.
The realistic frames are added with litterally one click.


The original images were found on http://www.sxc.hu/, my favorite place to find free photos. Thanks to their authors for making them available.

Best regards,

David

New features in upcoming version 1.7 of FotoSketcher

Hi all,

I've been busy working on version 1.7, which will be a rather major update. It is not quite ready yet, but here are some of the new features you will find:
- brand new interface (clearer, prettier and more responsive), with icon bar
- batch processing
- load and save drawing parameters
- drag and drop image file on the application icon
- drag and drop image file on the source image pane
- optimised median filter (painting 3 rendering is now twice as fast)
- realistic frames
- add text to the drawing (signature, date, description...)
- possibility to cancel an operation
- no more freezes
- faster 'increase colour saturation' algorithm
- smooth resize source image to any size
- drag images with the mouse

Best regards,

David