v0.2.0-alpha

Photon Release Notes — v0.2.0-alpha

Note

Photon is still in alpha version, use this release for evaluation only and to suggest new features and improvements.

• Native RAW workflow implemented with RawEngine (C++) + RawViewport (Qt Quick/Vulkan/RHI).
• Non-destructive editing model based on .PhotonData sidecars:
  • edits/*.json stores full edit-state history (commit on slider release).
  • cache/thumbnails and preview cache reduce reprocessing cost.
• Persistent undo/redo edit stack and restore-to-original workflow.
• Async RAW loading, real thumbnail extraction, and interactive viewport pan/zoom.
• Library grid mode implemented with responsive cards, ratings, and metadata overlays.
• Selection model implemented:
  • Single, Ctrl-toggle, Shift-range, Ctrl+A.
• Rating workflow implemented (0–5 stars) with sidecar persistence.
• Filter workflow implemented with operator model (=, >, >=, <, <=).
• Sorting implemented (Name / Date / Rating, ascending/descending).
• Filmstrip content, sync, keyboard navigation, and sort-sync with Library view.
• Auto-scan implemented with configurable interval and smart append-only refresh behavior.
• Viewport behaviors:
  • Pan/zoom, constrained pan bounds, double-click zoom cycle.
  • Before/After toggle (\ / B) with toolbar support.
  • Undo/redo controls and restore-to-original action.
• Real-time histogram implemented (RGB/Luma) with P99 normalization and rendering hardening.
• Full adjustment panel implemented:
  • Light: Exposure, Contrast, Highlights, Shadows, Whites, Blacks.
  • Presence: Vibrance, Saturation.
  • Color: 8-band HSL.
  • Color Grading: Shadows/Midtones/Highlights + Balance/Blending.
  • Effects/Creative: Clarity, Dehaze, Structure, Centre, Grain, Vignette.
  • Detail: Sharpness, Masking, Feather, Focus, Denoise controls.
• GPU-accelerated edit pipeline implemented in shader path.
• Hybrid denoise architecture implemented:
  • Real-time NLM preview path.
  • High-quality BM3D-based path.
  • YCbCr split: BM3D on luminance + guided filtering on chroma.
• Vulkan compute offload implemented:
  • GpuSearcher patch-matching offload.
  • GpuChromaFilter guided-filter offload.
  • Automatic CPU fallback paths.
• SIMD optimization work implemented (AVX2/FMA across heavy kernels).
• User-tunable denoise parameters implemented in engine, serialization, export path, and QML.
• Explicit denoise activation + async execution + abort/restart behavior implemented.
• ROI-driven denoise refinement and adaptive proxy scaling implemented.
• Edge-selective sharpening implemented:
  • Scharr edge mask.
  • Mask feathering.
  • Focus detection gating.
  • Alt-drag grayscale mask preview.
• Crop/geometry controls implemented end-to-end:
  • Aspect presets, straighten slider/tool, rotate steps, flip toggles.
  • Interactive crop overlay with handles, guides, and constrained interaction.
  • Commit-on-Enter / discard-on-Esc flow.
• Baked geometry pipeline implemented:
  • Re-decode + bake transforms into geometry buffer.
  • geometryBaked state with viewport/QML integration.
  • Enter/exit crop mode flow with rebake support.
• Export parity implemented:
  • Consistent transform order between preview/bake/export.
  • Deterministic normalized-to-pixel crop mapping.
• Preset system implemented (create/apply/delete, persistent storage).
• Selective preset save implemented through reusable settings-selection dialog.
• Hierarchical selection UX implemented with grouped keys and cascading parent/child behavior.
• Reusable right-click context menu implemented across Library, Filmstrip, and Develop:
  • Copy settings (selected keys).
  • Paste settings (single/multi-selection aware).
  • Rating actions.
  • Filter criteria/rating actions.
  • Rotate/flip actions.
• Batch sidecar operations implemented in AppStateManager for selected images.
• Export pipeline implemented via ExportManager:
  • JPEG and TIFF output.
  • Batch export support.
  • Geometry-aware export parity.
• Panorama workflow implemented:
  • OpenCV integration.
  • Multi-image panorama stitching.
  • Async stitching with UI completion feedback.
  • DNG-like panorama output implementation.