FotoSketcher 3.95 is officially released (Windows version)

 

Hi all!

FotoSketcher 3.95 for Windows is now officially released!

Head over to https://fotosketcher.com/download-fotosketcher/ to download either the standalone version (no need to install, just run the .exe file) or the version with setup.

For MacOS users (with M1, M2 or M3 Apple processors), FotoSketcher for Windows can run on your Mac ;)

Just use the great and free program called Whisky avalaible here: https://getwhisky.app/ It is primarily used to run Windows games on Macs, but FotoSketcher works fine with it (and fast too).

Here is a list of all changes and improvements in this release:

Main bug fixes:

• a bug related to the default printer could prevent FotoSketcher from running
  
• the manual brush would not work properly when the custom frame was applied with "autofit" on
  
• the program would sometimes freeze when going to the fotosketcher.com website from the "About FotoSketcher" window
• various small speed and stability enhancements
  

New and improved features:

• New Pencil Sketch 5 effect (replaces the previous one)
• New Light style for improved legibility
• A new language has been added (Catalan) - thank you to user Robert LOPEZ for the translation!
• Possibility to run FotoSketcher in silent mode (via the command line interface or by editing a shortcut to pass parameters). The syntax is as follows:
  FotoSketcher.exe -silent Source.jpg Dest.jpg 18 80 180 40 50 255 n y n
  where Source.jpg and Dest.jpg are respectively the filenames for the source image and the processd image, followed by the effect number (1 is Pencil Sketch 1, 2 is Pencil Sketch 2, etc...), followed by the 5 parameter values, and finally n/y for soften edges, frame and texture.
  For advanced users, this could be used to pilot FotoSketcher from another graphics program.
  
• The standard custom frame has been updated and will adapt better (less distortion) to the image ratio (square, portrait or landscape)
• Right-clicking on the small custom frame pictogram in the top-right corner reverts the custom frame to the default one if you had loaded another.
  
  
  
• The script engine (press F5 to open the Window) now has a default script built-in. Just click the Run button to test it or the trash can to clear the script.

Here is an example made with the default script.

 

FotoSketcher 3.95 for Windows remains 100% free, even for commercial work (e.g. selling your images produced with FotoSketcher. No royalty or attribution necessary).

Have fun :)

All the best,

David

 

FotoSketcher 3.95 beta 2

Hi all,

A new beta is now available for download here: https://fotosketcher.com/FotoSketcher_3.95_beta2.exe

Enjoy :)

David

FotoSketcher 3.95 beta - available for testing

 Hi all,

Hot off the press, FotoSketcher 3.95 beta 1 is now available for download here: https://fotosketcher.com/FotoSketcher_3.95_beta1.exe

Here are the new features in this release:

• A printer bug, which could prevent FotoSketcher from running, has been solved
• A new and improved Pencil Sketch 5 effect has replaced the old one
• A new language has been added (Catalan) - thank you to user Robert LOPEZ for the translation!
• Global performance has been (slightly) improved 

There are still a few things I need to add, correct and tweak before the official release, but this beta version should be stable and usable.

Here are a couple of examples with the new Pencil Sketch 5 effect:

 

Have fun!

David

Solutions to the printer bug and FotoSketcher 3.95 alpha 1

Hi all,

Recently a few users have reported problems running FotoSketcher because of a printer related error message.

When launching FotoSketcher, you may get a pop-up window reading "Wait for the connection to printer or cancel the connection". This will unfortunately prevent FotoSketcher from running.

 

The issue may well be related to a recent Windows update, but I have been unable to reproduce the problem. 

It can occur on both Windows 10 or Windows 11 PCs.

If this happens to you, one possible workaround would be to make sure that you have a default printer selected in your Windows settings.

Alternatively, you can download an early version of FotoSketcher 3.95 here: https://fotosketcher.com/FotoSketcher_3.95_alpha1.exe

This alpha version should no longer crash on startup if no printer is detected.

Please let me know in comments below if you still have the problem or if this alpha version solves it for you (fingers crossed).

All the best,

David

FotoSketcher 3.90 is officially released (Windows version)

Hi all!

FotoSketcher 3.90 for Windows is now officially released!

Head over to https://fotosketcher.com/download-fotosketcher/ to download either the standalone version (no need to install, just run the .exe file) or the version with setup.

Both versions have been digitally signed in order to avoid Windows blocking the download.

Here is a list of all changes and improvements in this release:

Main bug fixes:

• preview would not update when changing a parameter value
• issues when minimizing of the parameter window
• issues with image rotation
• program freeze when going to the fotosketcher.com website from the "About window"
• program would sometimes freeze when changing the opacity of text
  

New features:

• New Painting 11 advanced painterly effect, which allows custom brushes (transparent png images) 
• In addition to Painting 4, possibility to run Painting 9 (watercolor) and the new Painting 11 on the current image, without starting from a blank canvas. This allows much more versatility and is supported in the scripting engine
• Parameter files and script files made with older versions of FotoSketcher can be loaded
• Directories for loading and saving images are saved, allowing easier navigation 
• Directories for loading and saving scripts and custom brushes are also saved

FotoSketcher 3.90 for Windows remains 100% free, even for commercial work (e.g. selling your images produced with FotoSketcher. No royalty or attribution necessary).

Here is an example made with FotoSketcher 3.90 using the new Painting 11 effect, followed by the Painting 9 effect (with the new "Don't erase background" checkbox ticked).

Original photo credit: https://unsplash.com/fr/photos/x_CEJ7kn4w4

Have fun!

David

P.S. Should you wish to support the development of FotoSketcher, you can buy me a nice cup of coffee via PayPal or become a patron on Patreon :)

FotoSketcher 3.90 beta 1.2 available

Hi all,

After some (well, actually a lot of) tweaking, optimizing and debugging, a brand new beta version of FotoSketcher 3.90 for Windows is now available for testing. 

You can download it here: https://fotosketcher.com/FotoSketcher_3.90_beta1.2.exe

As always, your feedback is welcome and invaluable :)

Original photo credit: Juan Pablo Mascanfroni on unsplash.com

Have fun!

David

FotoSketcher 3.90 beta 1.0 available for testing

Hi all,

A new version of FotoSketcher for Windows (v 3.90) is ready for testing. 

A stable beta version is available here: https://fotosketcher.com/FotoSketcher_3.90_beta1.0.exe

Main bug fixes:

• preview would not update when changing a parameter value
• issues with the minimizing the parameter window
• issues with image rotation
• program freeze when going to the fotosketcher.com website from the About window

New features:

• Possibility to run Painting 9 (watercolor) on the current image, without starting from a blank canvas (like you could already do in Painting 4). This allows for much more versatility and is supported in the scripting engine. Just add the "Don't erase background" command before running the effect.
  
• A new painterly effect - Painting 11 - with added color variability (which also supports not erasing the background).
  
• For Painting 4, 9 and 11 a new checkbox allows you to choose whether to start from a black background or from the existing image.

Here is an example on the famous parrot with the new Painting 11 effect.

 

As usual for beta version, I would be grateful if you could let me know if you run into any issue or bug :)

All the best and have fun! 

David

 

 

FotoSketcher 3.90 - new painting effect

Hi all,

The new version of FotoSketcher for Windows (v3.90) is almost finished.

A new painting effect (Painting 11) is now ready and I just need to tweak and integrate it into the user interface. 

A beta version will be available soon for you to play with :)

Here is an example (source photo credit Daniel Sessler):

All the best,

David

What's coming in 2023 for FotoSketcher?

Hi all,

As you may know, I've been working on a brand new version of FotoSketcher which will run on both Windows and MacOS. It has not been plain sailing and progress is slower than I had anticipated and hoped. 

But I'm not giving up and it will remain my priority for 2023 to provide Mac users with a native version of FotoSketcher.

However, I have not forgotten Windows users and I'm currently polishing a brand new version (3.90), with bug fixes, cosmetic improvements, and new features:

Main bug fixes:

• preview would not update when changing a parameter value
• issues with the minimizing of the parameter window
• issues with image rotation
• program freeze when going to the fotosketcher.com website from the About window

New features:

• Possibility to run Painting 9 (watercolor) on the current image, without starting from a blank canvas (like you can already do in Painting 4, by right-clicking the Draw button). This allows much more versatility and is supported in the scripting engine.
• A more advanced painterly effect, which allows custom brushes (transparent png images)
  

Here is an example made with this new alogrithm, combined with Painting 9:

Stay posted for a beta version to be made available here soon ;)

In the meantime I wish you a very Happy New Year!

Best regards,

David

FotoSketcher 3.90 (Windows only) soon to be released

 Hi all,

A quick update on the soon to be released FotoSketcher 3.90.

This will mainly be a cosmetic and bug fix release, but I plan on adding a few more bells and whistles.

So stay tuned for the beta to become available soon for testing!

All the best and Merry Christmas :)

David