Photogenics Features

Paul Nolan releases Photogenics 4.2

Paul Nolan is pleased to announce Photogenics 4.2, another free update to existing users of Photogenics 4.x.

The main new features in 4.2 are Tool Tips for quick and easy explanations of all of the items in the tool bar, a Media Cache for improved Media loading times, and new paint on image processing modes such as: Gamma, Sharpen, UnsharpMask, BizarrePixelize, Randomize, and Channel Randomize. Blur, Convolve and RadialBlur have been rewritten for more speed, features and options. In particular Blur is now incredibly fast. Processing a 50x50 pixel blur on a 800x600 image now takes less than 2 seconds on an 060, with a huge 500x500 pixel blur taking just 3 seconds, and is fast enough to apply with the AirBrush!

Several minor changes include an enhanced Scale with improved quality and feedback, an improved Text tool, a reduction in the memory need by Photogenics by one megabyte (now uses just two megs with no images loaded), various overall speed improvements, keyboard shortcuts for zoom and pan, plus tweaks to the user interface.

Introduction

Photogenics is a graphics/art package. It allows you to create stunning images, either from scratch or by modifying existing pictures. It can be used for a multitude of purposes, from simple file conversion, to advanced photo manipulation and re-touching. It also offers extremely realistic and easy to use media such as pencils, chalk and watercolours to create stunning masterpieces in minutes.

Photogenics is based on innovation. At its core, it works on images unlike any other product. Nothing you draw is permanent, it can be rubbed out as easily as it was drawn, and tweaked to perfection. This freedom allows you to experiment to a level never before seen.

Photogenics 4.2 features

Unparalleled levels of creativity from being able to modify the colour, transparency, image processing mode, and even the position of what you have drawn, all in real time!
Realistic Media tools such as Airbrush, Chalk, Pencil, Sponge, Watercolour, Smudge and Smear.
Designed to look and feel good using just a standard mouse.
Paint-on Image Processing allows the user to apply effects simply by drawing with any of the media tools. Being able to just airbrush everything on (and off!) allows instant touch ups without the need for tedious masking.
Paint modes available include: (click here for images)

AddColor	Adds the current colour's red, green and blue values to each pixel in the image.
AddNoise	Adds colour or grey noise to an image.
Adjust	Changes the Brightness/Contrast/Gamma/Red/Green/Blue values of the image.
BasRelief	Brings out the contours in an image.
BiColour	Lets you paint with the current colour in the center of the AirBrush, and another colour for the halo.
BizarrePixelize	Breaks the image into lots of little squares ala Pixelize, except that each square is a distorted part of the image.
Blur	Professional style Blur with independent X and Y Radius controls. Now optimized for incredible speed (several hundred times faster than before, probably the fastest blur around).
Burn	Reduces the image's brightness depending on the colour selected.
BurnThru	Sets fire the to the image until the secondary image bursts through, a spectacular effect.
ChannelFlip	Lets you flip the Red, Green, and Blue channels of an Image independently of each other for very colourful effects.
ChannelRandomize	Works just like Randomize, but with individual controls for each Red, Green and Blue channel.
Clone	Also known as the pantograph, Clone lets you paint with other parts of the image, useful for removing blemishes, unwanted people, and so on.
ColourToGrey	Lets you convert the image to greyscale, with advanced options for selecting the perceived brightness of colours (Average/Luminance/Video Weighted/Min/Max/Red Filter/Cyan Filter etc).
ContourMap	ContourMap breaks up the image into lots of squares in a manner similar to Pixelize, and then displaces each pixel depending on how bright it was.
Convolve	Custom matrix convolutions give you the power to easily create your own effects.
Darken	Compares the brightness of each pixel with the current colour, and takes the darker of the two.
Deinterlace	Enhances images captured from TV or video.
DifferenceRGB	Takes the difference between each pixel and the current colour, for spectacular colour changes.
DisplaceMap	Create glass and warp effects with ease by distorting the current image based on the intensity of the secondary image.
Dodge	Increases the contrast of the image based on the current colour values.
EdgeDetect	Detects the contours of an image, and makes them white, leaving areas of flat colour black.
Emboss	Professional quality with options for specifying the angle of the light source, depth of the emboss, and the base colour if you dont like the standard grey.
Fire	Ramps up the current colour to white the more paint is applied. Combined with the Fire Media gives stunning pyrotechnic effects.
FlipX	Flips the image along the X axis. Very cool to apply with the AirBrush.
FlipY	Flips the image along the Y axis.
Hardlight	If the current colour is dark, then this mode darkens the image as with Multiply Mode. If its light, then it lightens is as if you were using the Screen Mode. It's useful for painting on shadows.
Lighten	Compares the brightness of each pixel with the current colour, and takes the lightest of the two.
Min	Looks at the area around each pixel and finds the darkest one. Professional level of control with independent X and Y radius sliders that allow extreme values.
Max	Similar to Min, but picks the brightest values.
MotionBlur	Gives the effect of high-speed movement.
Multiply	Multiplies the red, green and blue values of the image by the respective values of the current colour. Useful for recolouring an image.
Negative	This inverts the colours of the image to make it look like a photographic negative.
Overlay	Overlay Multiplies or Screens the image, depending on the current colour selected.
Paint	Paints with the current colour.
PanBlur	Simulates the blur caused by a fast-moving camera panning in a certain direction.
Pixelize	Pixelize, otherwise known as Pixelate or Mosaic, turns the image into lots of little squares, as seen on TV when someone's face needs to be obscured.
Posterize	Dramatically reduces the number of colours in the image.
RadialBlur	Also known as Dolly Blur, this simulates the effect of a high-speed camera dolly where the camera moves towards or away from the subject.
Randomize	Randomize shifts each pixel around by the specified random amount. Can be used to make the image explode into a storm of pixels.
Roll	Shifts the image up and down by the specified amount, with the image wrapping at the edges.
RubPaint	Combines Paint with the secondary image.
RubThru	Rubs through to the secondary image.
Screen	Lightens or bleaches the underlying image, depending on what colour you have selected.
Sharpen	Enhances the image using a standard matrix convolution.
Solarize	Approximates the look of exposing film to bright light.
Softlight	Dodges or Burns the image, depending on the current colour. If the colour is dark, the image is Dodged, if the colour is light then its Burned.
SubtractColour	Subtracts the red, green and blue value of the underlying image from the red green and blue values of the current colour.
Tint	Changes the colours in the image to that of the currently selected colour.
UnsharpMask	Professional quality sharpening, with user definable amount, radius, and threshold settings.

Exclusive Paint Layer technology allows mistakes to be rubbed out without having to redo the good parts, simply by fading out with the right mouse button.
Undo/Redo system allows you to go back as far as you specify, so that you have the power of both undo styles.
Unlimited number of easy to use layers allows fast image composition and amazing possibilities.
Stunning Paint-On Pyrotechnics such as lens-flares, fire, and explosions. Combine with smear to produce supernovas, waves of fire, and even sunsets and waterfalls.
Innovative clutter free user interface (font sensitive and user scaleable). GUI components can be docked/undocked, and positioned wherever you please.
Fully multi-threaded - youll never be kept waiting as Photogenics responds instantly to your requests even while operations are in progress.
Advanced yet still easy to use Alpha channel support. Use any open image as a mask, or simply paint one straight on to the image. Updates to the Alpha channel such as brush strokes are reflected on the main image in real time.
24bit Alpha channels. Only Photogenics lets you use colour Alpha channels, which enable you to independently mask each of the red green and blue channels. Paint on the Alpha with red, and this lets the red component show through, paint on with yellow, and both the red and green channels are updated. Painting with shades of grey produce masking as normal. Create awesome effects by loading in a 24bit Alpha channel and using it to mask image-processing effects.
Position Tool - allows the Layer, Alpha channel and Secondary images to be positioned wherever you like, either all together or independently. An 060 is fast enough to allow layers to be dragged around the image in real time!
Text Tool - finally you can just drag a box where you want the text, and type it straight onto any paint layer. Supports bitmapped and scalable fonts, and can anti-alias the text for superior results.
Multiple Views allows you to have as many views of an image as you like, each with its own magnification level.
Transparency Gradients - changes the Filled Rectangle/Ellipse/Polygon tools to apply smooth graduations. Lets you produce very subtle and sophisticated effects where the look builds up gradually from to top to bottom or left to right etc.
Impressive colour selection facilities, with five colour choosers, RGB and HSV sliders, and support for 256 colour swatches. You can also pick colours from Images using the Colour Picker tool, with changes updating in real time.
Integrated online help system. Documentation and tutorials are supplied in html format, with special versions of IBrowse and AWeb included on the CD for users who dont already have a browser.
ToolTips - provides quick and easy explanations of all of the items in the tool bar.
Extensive file format support. Supports IFF-ILBM, IFF-DEEP, JPEG, Targa, BMP, PCX, PPM, and PNG. Photogenics also supports loading via 24bit DataTypes.
24bit Printing support via StudioPrint and TurboPrint.
Open Architecture - Photogenics is effectively just one big collection of plug-ins that blends seamlessly to form one program. Third party developers can have access to the same API as Photogenics does, allowing developers to extend the core software to an amazing degree.

Requirements

Minimum Requirements:

68030, 8Mb RAM, Amiga OS 3.0,CD ROM drive.

Recommended Requirements:

68060, 16 or 24bit display, 16Mb RAM, Amiga OS 3.0, CD ROM drive.

Price

$99.99 US Dollars.

Upgrade from Photogenics v1.x or v2: $75 US Dollars.

How to purchase Photogenics

You can securely order online with your credit card by going to http://www.paulnolan.com and clicking on Purchase, or by calling the StarByte order hotline toll free on 1 800 243 1515, extension 400. Outside of Northern America, please prefix this number with the necessary dialing code (00 from the UK), and note that international call charges will apply.
If upgrading, you will need your registration code, type it into the field labeled Comments or tell the salesperson.
This number is staffed by live operators during US business hours, but has an automated order taking system in place at all other times.
Please note that the person taking your call will not be able to answer any technical questions, they are only there to take your order, you must email Paul Nolan at pnolan@cix.co.uk if you have any questions. Please do not call this number unless you have your credit card out and are ready to purchase.

If you would rather not pay by credit card, details for ordering via cheque or money orders are as before and explained in detail on the website, although you wont receive your CD as fast as using the online order form.

Photogenics is also available fully localized in German, with distribution in Germany courtesy of Schatztruhe, http://www.schatztruhe.de.

For screen shots, a gallery, and even more information please visit the Photogenics website at http://www.paulnolan.com

Photogenics is a registered trademark of Paul Nolan. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

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