We’ve added 17 frames for Thanksgiving and 44 for Christmas and one bonus frame in “Artistic” collection, “Various” set. All are vector frames, looking great at any resolution. Some of these frames can be used not only for these holidays, so we encourage you to take a look at them all and see if you can adapt them to other occasions as well.

Most of the frames are adapted for both horizontal and vertical orientations. Many of the frames are border-type frames, whose width can be adjusted. Check below how the icons look in ImageFramer and some framed images for demonstration.

How do you get the new frames?

It’s simple – select “Check for library updates” from ImageFramer menu. ImageFramer will even detect the news frames automatically if you have enabled “Automatic updates of frame library on startup” from preferences dialog.

Is it free?

The new frame colection is free for all registered ImageFramer users, including these who purchased ImageFramer on Mac App Store. There’s no catch – we just love our users

Enjoy the new frames and help us spread the word about ImageFramer!

ImageFramer introduces a new “Holidays and Celebrations” collection with its first set – “Halloween”. This set includes a total of 35 vector frames, including 8 resizable borders and several gray frames (to be colored in any color with the Colorize option) and masks.

These true vector frames provide the best quality on images of any resolution. In addition, almost all of the frames include both vertical and horizontal versions, so they’ll look great on any photo, without distortion.

Take a look at the selection of frames as it is presented in ImageFramer’s Library and at the couple of framed examples below.

How do you get the new frames?

It’s simple – select “Check for library updates” from ImageFramer menu. ImageFramer will even detect the news frames automatically if you have enabled “Automatic updates of frame library on startup” from preferences dialog.

Is it free?

The new frame colection is free for all registered ImageFramer users, including these who purchased ImageFramer on Mac App Store. There’s no catch – we just love our users

Enjoy the new frames and help us spread the word about ImageFramer!

As Mac OS X 10.7 (Lion) is going to be released soon, this will be the last version of ImageFramer to support Leopard (10.5) and thus PowerPC Macs. Apple doesn’t make it easy to support both Lion and Leopard at the same time, and we have a general policy to try and support one major OS version back. We’ll only release an update for Leopard if a major bug will be discovered in this version. On the other hand, this will allow us to give better experience to Snow Leopard and Lion customers, which is already the vast majority of users.

So, what’s new in ImageFramer 3.1.2?

• NEW: Show aspect ratio of the framed image on the bottom bar. You can select the desired aspect ratio, based on common image ratios, and ImageFramer will display where you are related to it. It wil show in green color, when it’s close. You can also select to let ImageFramer show the resulting aspect ratio based on the closest standard ratio, automatically.
• NEW: ImageFramer also shows the framed image’s size (in pixels) above the aspect ratio. The framed image size is based on the Drag Export preferences which are also saved between ImageFramer launches. Clicking on the image size text will take you straight to this preference, where you’ll be able to modify the exported image size calculation method.
• NEW: All sliders on the layers’ controls now have a text box next to them to allow seeing and entering exact numbers for the slider values.
• NEW: Added slider locking to image cropping control, similar to the lock in the color mat controls.
• NEW: Hold Alt (Option) key to temporarily toggle the lock in color mats and image cropping controls. This is usually faster than clicking on the lock icon and then clicking again.

• NEW: Holding Alt (Option) key replaces topmost frame layer instead of adding a new layer above it. This is very useful if you want to compare different frames fast since now you have to delete the layer and then add a new one.

• NEW: Added three-finger swipe gesture support to Library view:
  * Swiping to the right will behave like double clicking on the selected library item. In Collections will dive into selected collection, same for Sets. In frames it will add the selected frame to the design (or replace if Alt key is held).
  * Swiping to the left will take you up a level in the hierarch. From frames to sets, from sets to collections.
  * Swiping up or down will alternate between Library and Favorites.

• Added instructions to Variation panel when there are no variations
• Lock sliders on color mat sizes by default since you’ll usually will wat to start with changing all sides and only later possibly adapt sides one by one.
• Allow deleting collections with a Backspace or Delete keys in Frame Editor. (Pro edition only). Erasing Collections and Sets will now also ask for confirmation, if they’re not empty.
• Allow .tiff and .jpeg extensions. Handle TIFF in a smart way, will try to match source extension. This helps to integrate ImageFramer with Aperture.
• On Snow Leopard and higher, when entering Save Dialog, ImageFramer will propose the target file name based on the Export Preferences, so you can automatically add prefix or suffixes, like with Drag Export.
• FIX: Exported image size was often giving 1-pixel off dimensions when calculating them based on original image size. This often led to non-crisp rendering of the original image, which is obviously not desired.
• FIX: Occasional issues with corrupted export images when the image has transparent parts.
• Added newsletter signup from within ImageFramer menu.
• Added check for ongoing Frames Library update to prevent app to quit during this time.

• Support for vector frames. Vector frames (in PDF format) can be used as regular images in Frame Editor but give this sharp and professional look when scaled to any size. Information on using PDF frames in the Frame Editor is available in the manual.

• Several sample vector frames were added in the Library for registered customers. You should update your library after you update ImageFramer to version 3.1. More vector frames will be added. Currently, the available vector frames are all in Artistic collection:

  • Various set:
    • Film strip
    • Film strip (tinted) – adds a beige semi transparent tint over the photograph
    • Grunge flowers
    • Grunge flowers border
    • Travel green
  • Drawn frames set:
  • Birds and flowers
  • Color splash
  • Flowers
  • Origami
  • School
  • Sewn flowers
  • Oval set:
    • Simple oval
    • Gradient oval
  • Monochrome set:
    • Simple Rounded
    • Flower row
    • Floral wreath
    • Floral lines
  • Masks set has masks from all the above frames except Film strips, Travel green and frames in the Drawn frames set.

• Define export size in real-world units, such as inches, cm and mm. The export panel now adds the units drop-down list to let you specify sizes in inches, for example. You’ll also always see the exported image size in pixel below. Of course it takes DPI setting into account as well. This is great for those who use ImageFramer to prepare images for print and was requested by many people.

• Selecting colors with transparency. It’s now possible to select Opacity level for colors in the color palette. This allows two things:

  • Selecting separate transparency for the mat’s bevel. Semi transparent gray bevels create the appearance as if though the image itself is beveled.
  • When using Colorize function, reducing opacity of the colorization color will reduce the amount of colorization applied. So now you can add only a touch of a tint to the frame, giving you more creativity options.

• You can drag layers up or down, out of the “film strip” layers panel, to remove them from design, in addition to pressing delete or backspace keys or through the context menus. Some increased productivity.

• Added shortcuts and menu items to access different parts of the window:

  • Cmd-1 to open frame Library. If already open, Cmd-1 will toggle between “All” and “Favorites” view.
  • Cmd-2 to open Templates.
  • Cmd-3 to open Variations
  • Cmd-4 to open Design Settings
  • Cmd-5 to open Layer Settings
  • Cmd-6 to open Watermarks. If already open, toggle between text and image watermarks.
  • Cmd-0 to focus keyboard on the layers strip, allowing to change layers with left and right key.
    All the shortcuts are available as menu commands in Window menu.

• Document window position and size is now saved between launches

• Color picker (eyedropper) tool now uses another interface. When clicking on it, it will change the cursor to the eyedropper and let you pick a color from the document itself only. If you want the old magnifier glass tool, you’ll have to click on the color well itself to open OS X colors panel and click on the magnifier glass icon to the left of the color on the top, like in all other applications.

• Fixed multiple crashes – occasional crashes in layers handling UI, crash when dropping an image onto ImageFramer while a previous image is being saved. This is now not allowed.

• Vastly improved template icon generation. Previously generated icons did not show all the template and could miss outer edges. They also could show some artifacts on molding frames.

• Performance improvements related to database, especially when working in Frame Editor.

• Other UI improvements and bug fixes, related to layers strip and corner frame drawing quality.

Why the excitement?

Because this new release brings ImageFramer framing to another level: from a good framing application to a world-class ultimate framing solution.

So what’s new?

ImageFramer 3 is a total redesign of ImageFramer 2, featuring elegant and intuitive interface, powerful features like combining multiple frames and mats, saving design templates and even an embedded frame editor that allows users to create their own frames from their graphics. ImageFramer 3 contains over 400 various frames, and more frames are being added constantly. These newly added frame are downloaded automatically for registered users. In addition, users of Pro version have access to additional hundreds of high-resolution frames from frame manufacturers with catalog numbers – simplifying the process of ordering real frames for their artwork.

You can download a free trial version now or learn more by watching an introductory screencast, visiting the gallery or reading about ImageFramer 3 features.

ImageFramer 3 interface

New features in more detail

• Beautiful user interface will make your work in ImageFramer a pleasure.
• Multiple frame types – molding (like in version 2), moldings with corner and full-sized image frames, including masking frames for photos.
• You can add multiple frames to one image, creating endless design opportunities.
• Mat’s width for all 4 sides can now be controlled individually. Ready mat library of dozens of pre-defined mat colors in every shade you like. Mat’s bevel color can be defined.
• Image and text watermarks can be added with easy but powerful controls.
• Design variations are now visual. Selecting the best variation has become easier.
• You can save your frame designs as templates and use them to use on different images later. There is also a library of preset templates supplied with the application.
• Huge frame collection combined with automatic download of new frames in the background.
• Embedded frame editor allows you to create your own frames (Pro edition only).

Frame Editor

Upgrading from ImageFramer 2

We have a special discount for early birds: all registered users of ImageFramer 2 can upgrade to ImageFramer 3 for just $14.95, which represents a discount of over 60% on full ImageFramer 3 price! This price will last until the end of October and will then rise to $19.95, so don’t miss this opportunity: download a free trial version and upgrade if you like it. You can also update your ImageFramer 2.4.10 version to version 2.4.11, which adds a button on the toolbar that will take you directly to the upgrade process, with your license already filled in.

Last, but not least

We would like to take this opportunity to thank Glen, Ralph, Andrew, Matthew, Robert and Welles, who helped us in testing ImageFramer, contributing content and ideas and helping us make it better. You helped us a great deal, and it’s users like you who keep us motivated!!!

• New Frames: Added 5 new frames to “Wooden” set in “Real” collection. They appear at the top of the list.

As always, either auto-update or download from http://www.apparentsoft.com/imageframer/download

The first screencast is about multiple document support in ImageFramer 3. See the screencast on Apparent Software’s Facebook page and don’t forget to “Like” us to be to receive updates about the screencasts and other Apparent Software news.

Why is this good? First and foremost, ImageFramer 3 standard version will be more expensive than current ImageFramer Personal license. That’s one good reason. Secondly, there’s nothing to loose – you get to use ImageFramer right now and don’t have to worry about upgrade pricing.

So go and buy ImageFramer right now!

• New Frames: Added 5 new frames to “Bronze” set in “Real” collection. They appear at the top of the list.
• Reduced download size by about 7MB from 2.4.8 by reducing graphics overhead without affecting quality.

As always, either auto-update or download from http://www.apparentsoft.com/imageframer/download

The number of recent files remembered was increased tenfold from 25 to 250. Together with the filtering, it won’t overwhelm you.

The performance was also improved. Blast’s window now opens instantly even if the previews will take some time. File preview generation was moved into background and they now appear as they are generated, making Blast much more snappier in use.

There were some UI changes, such as the Blast menu button move to the top and its icon replaced. The scroll bar on the right of recents file list was made larger for easier handling. The window size was changed a little as well.

Among other new features, the context menu now has an option to move the file to Trash and an option to clear the list. If your list becomes irrelevant to the task at hand, you can clear it to remove clutter.

Also, Blast no longer displays splash screen on launch, which irritated some of you and it is now also 64-bit universal.

ImageFramer

ImageFramer 2.4.8 adds 7 new frames into the “Wooden frames” set in “Real” collection.