PhotoLine versions

v19.5 [Apr 13, 2016]
New image functions like "Dehaze" and "Color To Transparency"
Enhancements in the graphics and layout section: variable line styles, document color lists, placeholder layers, ...
Extended PDF export: spot colors, overprinting, PDF/X1a and PDF/X3

v18.0 [Oct 5, 2013]
1.OpenEXR Import and Export
OpenEXR is a HDR file format, that was published as an open standard. The HDR file format is able to save image data as float values with a precision of up to 32 bits per color channel. As PhotoLine is supporting color channels with 32 bits per channel, too, it is obvious to support OpenEXR, both reading and writing.
2.SVG Import and Export
Scalable Vector Graphics (SVG) is a recommended specification of the W3C for vector graphics on web pages. This means many people will use this format in the future.PhotoLine already had a basic SVG support in the past, but it has been extended considerably. Now it can handle even complex documents including a mixture of vector graphics, text and images.
3.PDF Import and Export
--The PDF import and export now supports linear and circular gradients. In previous versions vector layers with gradients had to be converted to raster images. Now PhotoLine can export them directly. This results in smaller files and better quality.
--Transparency is now supported, too. Print shops still prefer documents without transparency, therefore PhotoLine still offers this kind of output. But if you are creating documents for viewing on the screen, then transparency can offer a better quality.
--Perspectively distorted text and vector layers are no longer converted to raster images, but to vector graphics instead. Result: Smaller files and better appearance.
4.Rotate Document
PhotoLine can rotate images both virtually and physically. With virtual rotation PhotoLine just adds an attribute to layer, which tells it to rotate the layer on output. Physical rotation really rotates the image and modifies its pixels. In picture mode - this means, that there is a background image, that controls the size and the color space of the document - Rotate Document will now physically rotate all image layers. Image parts protruding from the document can optionally be removed.
Advantage: Adjustment layers and layer masks have the same size as the background layer after rotating.
5.32 Bit Images, Float Images, HDR Images
Three names for the same type of image. With 32 bit images the three channels of an RGB image will not be stored using byte values in the range of 0 to 255, but using float values. This has several advantages. You have a much larger range, you can define values whiter than white or blacker than black, you can calculate more efficiently with the image data, and so on.
The support of 32 bit images has been improved:
--The HDR file format OpenEXR has been added. Aside from that, the formats PLD, PSD and TIFF are supporting 32 bit images, too.
--Most image functions already directly supported 32 bit per color channel. Now we have added even more like the Histogram Correction, the Color Filter and the Chromatic Aberration.
--Most 32 bit images are defined using a color space with linear brightness. Therefore, if possible, the color management functions Assign Color Profile and Convert With Color Profile are supporting linear color spaces, too.
6.The Gradient Tool
In the past you were already able to edit a gradient directly after creating it. But after switching the tool or the active layer, the user interface for editing the gradient was gone. This restriction no longer exists.
7.Color Filter
The Color Filter is a powerful tool controlling the opacity of a layer based on its color values. This settings are not fix, but can be edited later on. The palette “Attributes > Layer” can now be used to quickly turn on and off the Color Filter to check its effect.
8.Measurement Tool with Scale
In order to correctly measure distances and areas in scanned maps, the measurement tool now has a scale. Just follow a path on the map with a vector line or enclose an area, and PhotoLine will calculate the result.
9.Browse
After browsing a directory PhotoLine is storing a file Browse.plb inside. This avoids redundant browsing. Unfortunately saving the Browse.plb on SD cards or USB sticks could be quite slow in the past. Now it should be much faster.
10.Middle Mouse Button, Windows
On Windows you can now use the middle mouse button to scroll the visible part of the document. Of course using the space bar still works.

v17.5 [Dec 15, 2012]
1.OpenEXR Import and Export
OpenEXR is a HDR file format, that was published as an open standard. The HDR file format is able to save image data as float values with a precision of up to 32 bits per color channel. As PhotoLine is supporting color channels with 32 bits per channel, too, it is obvious to support OpenEXR, both reading and writing.
2.SVG Import and Export
Scalable Vector Graphics (SVG) is a recommended specification of the W3C for vector graphics on web pages. This means many people will use this format in the future.PhotoLine already had a basic SVG support in the past, but it has been extended considerably. Now it can handle even complex documents including a mixture of vector graphics, text and images.
3.PDF Import and Export
--The PDF import and export now supports linear and circular gradients. In previous versions vector layers with gradients had to be converted to raster images. Now PhotoLine can export them directly. This results in smaller files and better quality.
--Transparency is now supported, too. Print shops still prefer documents without transparency, therefore PhotoLine still offers this kind of output. But if you are creating documents for viewing on the screen, then transparency can offer a better quality.
--Perspectively distorted text and vector layers are no longer converted to raster images, but to vector graphics instead. Result: Smaller files and better appearance.
4.Rotate Document
PhotoLine can rotate images both virtually and physically. With virtual rotation PhotoLine just adds an attribute to layer, which tells it to rotate the layer on output. Physical rotation really rotates the image and modifies its pixels. In picture mode - this means, that there is a background image, that controls the size and the color space of the document - Rotate Document will now physically rotate all image layers. Image parts protruding from the document can optionally be removed.
Advantage: Adjustment layers and layer masks have the same size as the background layer after rotating.
5.32 Bit Images, Float Images, HDR Images
Three names for the same type of image. With 32 bit images the three channels of an RGB image will not be stored using byte values in the range of 0 to 255, but using float values. This has several advantages. You have a much larger range, you can define values whiter than white or blacker than black, you can calculate more efficiently with the image data, and so on.
The support of 32 bit images has been improved:
--The HDR file format OpenEXR has been added. Aside from that, the formats PLD, PSD and TIFF are supporting 32 bit images, too.
--Most image functions already directly supported 32 bit per color channel. Now we have added even more like the Histogram Correction, the Color Filter and the Chromatic Aberration.
--Most 32 bit images are defined using a color space with linear brightness. Therefore, if possible, the color management functions Assign Color Profile and Convert With Color Profile are supporting linear color spaces, too.
6.The Gradient Tool
In the past you were already able to edit a gradient directly after creating it. But after switching the tool or the active layer, the user interface for editing the gradient was gone. This restriction no longer exists.
7.Color Filter
The Color Filter is a powerful tool controlling the opacity of a layer based on its color values. This settings are not fix, but can be edited later on. The palette “Attributes > Layer” can now be used to quickly turn on and off the Color Filter to check its effect.
8.Measurement Tool with Scale
In order to correctly measure distances and areas in scanned maps, the measurement tool now has a scale. Just follow a path on the map with a vector line or enclose an area, and PhotoLine will calculate the result.
9.Browse
After browsing a directory PhotoLine is storing a file Browse.plb inside. This avoids redundant browsing. Unfortunately saving the Browse.plb on SD cards or USB sticks could be quite slow in the past. Now it should be much faster.
10.Middle Mouse Button, Windows
On Windows you can now use the middle mouse button to scroll the visible part of the document. Of course using the space bar still works.

v17.0 [Dec 15, 2011]
Selective Color Correction
Remove Object
Improved Selection with the new Quick Selection and Border Matting tools

v16.5 [Feb 17, 2011]
The list of improvements, extensions, additions and - of course - corrections has become quite long. In order to keep this text short we are concentrating here on the highlights and most important details.
A lot of effort has been put in enhancing the user interface. Many things should work now more inituitively. Additionally the speed and quality of many functions have been improved.
Convert With Color Profile
This function is used to convert the color space of images or colors. A common example is the conversion of RGB images to CMYK. A new feature of this function is the ability to convert groups, pages or the whole document in a single step.
PhotoLine is now supporting the touchpad on Mac OS X:
The zoom gesture allows to modify the zoom in documents and controls.
The rotate gesture can rotate documents in 90° steps. Aside from that some tools use it in a custom way.
The swipe gestures can be used as shortcuts. The swipe shortcuts can be used in combination with Shift, Ctrl, Alt and Cmd, too.
Full Screen Mode, Mac OS X
On Mac OS X (10.6 or better) document can now be viewed and edited in full screen mode. This function is accessible in the menu with View/Full Screen Mode.
Layer Tool, Distort Perspectively
If you were clicking and dragging a layer handle while holding the Ctrl key (Windows) or the Command key (Mac OS X), you could distort a layer perspectively. This is an old feature. Pressing Shift while dragging allowed you to distort the corresponding corner simultaneously. This is old, too. Now you can additionally press Alt Shift in order to move the dragged corner along a line.
Crop Tool
You can now use the crop tool to rotate an image, correct its perspective and crop it in a single step.
QR-Code
The Barcode function could already create QR Codes, but now it is supporting directly the creation of QR Codes containing SMS and vCard information.
Adjustment Layer Palette
Commonly used adjustment layers can now be saved as presets.
Web Export With Clipboard Support
The Web Export can now put the result on the clipboard. This way you no longer need to save an intermediate file.
You can also directly attach a sRGB color profile in order to create a well-defined web file.
Furthermore the preview pictures are calculated in the background. So the operation of the dialog is smoother.
Filter Dialogs
The best way to work with the filter dialogs is to hide the embedded preview. This way the document window is the preview.
Now you can use the shortcuts for Zoom In, Zoom Out, Full View, View 100% and Mark Extreme Values while working with a filter. Protect Underlying Transparency
Optionally layers no longer modify the transparency created by the previous layers.
Tools Brighter and Darker
The tools Brighter and Darker can now work in the ranges shadows, midtones and lights.
Select Colors
The dialog shows now a list of all selected color ranges. These allows editing or removing a single range afterwards.
Rotate Layer
Layers can now be rotated from -180° to 180°. The rotation will always be clockwise.
Minor Enhancements
Several dialogs have been simplified and the handling is now more consistent.
Better processing of raw files.
ICC profiles are now forwarded to plug-ins.
The plug-in support is now much better.
The calculation of color palettes (Reduce Colors) has been enhanced.
Extended context menu: in combination with the keys Shift and Ctrl (Windows) or Command (Mac OS X) you get different context menus offering different options.
Calendars can now import special days from a CSV file.
Better PDF import and export: PhotoLine can be used as a simple PDF editor.