New since 2.1:

• Fixed the loading of designs by double clicking a .framing file in Finder to start ImageFramer.
• Added option to save a design, if it was changed, before quitting ImageFramer. A panel will pop-up asking what to do when quitting an unsaved design.
• Color panel now doesn’t pop up just by selecting another tab in control panel, which nagged some users.
• Frame, image and mat setting can now be selected correctly by clicking in the main window at the relevant area. Frame by clicking on frame, image/background by clicking on image or background, A specific mat can be selected by clicking directly on the mat.
• Disabled opening an Open Image dialog by double clicking on the image in main window.

I’ve finally released version 2.1 of ImageFramer.

I’ve also somewhat redesigned the website to allow better user experience on the site. The navigation has been modified to be more accessible and the home page now redirects directly into ImageFramer’s overview page.

I’ve also added a new gallery to show 2.1 features and a new introductory screencast. Find them all on the site.

Also, I’ve embedded a PayPal web store for better buying experience. Those who don’t have PayPal can still use our store on Kagi.

I’ve finished coding ImageFramer version 2.1 and it’ll be released in the coming days, after the Japanese translation is finished updating. So, what’s new in 2.1? Lots of beautiful stuff:

• Additions of bevels for mats. Many users have asked for this and I didn’t realize the power of this until after I implemented this feature and saw the results. Mats can now have a white-like bevel to add depth to the resulting image. The bevel’s width is controllable.
• It’s now possible to add shadows under frame and beveled mats. This is really exciting as well, as the addition of shadows really adds to the 3D look, and together with bevels it just looks fantastic.
• Light direction can be controlled using a simple control in the image tab. Light direction changes where the shadows fall and also changes the lighting on the bevels to give a consistent look on the shadows. Note that the frame themselves don’t change as result of the lighting change. So your best bet is to adapt the light source to look consistent with the frame’s lighting.
• I also added a new set to the real frames collection, called Linen Liners, I put 4 different linen liners there that are very good to put under frames, instead or in addition to mats.

So what result can you expect with the new features? Take a look at the pictures below:

To see the new features in action, see the new screencast that shows them:

I’ve released ImageFramer version 2.0.3 with 2 UI changes:

1. The Hue and Saturation sliders are now disabled when frame colorize effect is applied, since they don’t affect the frame’s appearance and may only confuse the user.

2. Removed the bottom light gray bar from the main window, as it only served for resizing and looked bad. Resizing is of course still possible by dragging the bottom right corner.

On another note, design for ImageFramer 3 is going quite well and it will be an application of another class.

I’m glad to announce that starting 1st of July, a designer, specializing in interactive design will join Apparent Software. She will join me for about 3 months to take ImageFramer to the next level.

She’ll be working on usability improvement, UI design for the planned features of ImageFramer 3, illustration work on icons and on the design of new frames.

She’ll also produce more screencasts to compement the one I’ve prepared earlier.

I’ve come to this decision after realizing that I’m not the best UI designer around and certainly not a great graphic artist. This will also leave me more time to actually program.

I hope her involvement in ImageFramer design will take it to the next level.

ImageFramer version 2.0.2 was released today. There’s only a bug fix (important one) and a usability change.

BUG FIX: Crash when renaming variation was fixed.
NEW:  Variation names are in editable mode when adding a new variation.

Download ImageFramer

I’m glad to announce release of ImageFramer 2.0.1.

These are the release notes:

• Added default startup image when launching without image
• Design files (.framing) can now be loaded from Finder or by dropping on ImageFramer icon, in addtion to dropped to the main window.
• Updated drawing code for faster resizing
• Some bug fixes and a memory leak
• Added “Buy ImageFramer” menu item under ImageFramer menu.

I’m glad to announce a 30% discount on ImageFramer, available until 23 June 2008, to celebrate my 30th birthday. 

Use coupon code 30BIRTHDAY on checkout.

Jacob.

After a long developemt and beta testing period ImageFramer version 2.0 is finally released. So, what’s new in version 2.0? A lot. Here are some of the changes:

• Support for photorealistic frames. The frames are handles like a frame shop would handle a wooden frame. The program cuts them in the corners. Over 60 designs included.
• The frames can be adjusted for Hue, Saturation and Brightness. In addition, the frames can be colored. So, you can create multiple variation out of the same basic frame.
• The textured frames are organized into a hierarchy ofCollections, Sets and Frames.
• Graphical watermarks can be added with easy but powerful controls.
• Color profiles and photo metadata, like EXIF will now becopied from the source image into the destination image.
• Fast operation using Mac OS X Tiger’s Core Imagetechnology.
• Auto update using Sparkle framework. No need to manually check our website for new releases.
• Flexible Variations support for fast preview of multiple framing design variations. Can be saved, loaded in viewed in the variation drawer.
• Full User Manual is available with the program.
• Japanese localization
• Bug fixes.