******************************* AKVIS Sketch Version History ******************************* ------------------- Version 27.1 (December 20, 2023) ------------------- https://akvis.com/en/sketch/whats-new.php#27.1 1. Extended the list of supported RAW formats. 2. Compatibility with macOS 14 Sonoma. 3. Fixed bugs and increased stability. ------------------- Version 27.0 (April 19, 2023) ------------------- https://akvis.com/en/sketch/whats-new.php#27.0 1. Added the multithreaded image processing. The conversion speed has been increased by 2-3 times. 2. In Home version, it's now possible to try the premium effects (with the watermark). 3. Added the list of styles to the Control Panel in the Presets interface mode. 4. Fixed minor bugs and increased stability. ------------------- Version 26.0 (January 18, 2023) ------------------- https://akvis.com/en/sketch/whats-new-26.php 1. Added Multistyle (new rendering style). 2. Increased the default value of the quick preview to 700. 3. Added support for Linux for the standalone app. 4. Fixed bugs and improved stability. ------------------- Version 25.0 (June 23, 2022) ------------------- What's New in Version 26.0: https://akvis.com/en/sketch/whats-new-25.php 1. Added Presets Gallery. 2. Added live preview of the presets. 3. Added file saving options to the Batch Processing dialog. 4. Verified compatibility with the latest versions of the image editors. 5. Added native support for the Apple M1 series of processors. 6. Discontinued support for Mac OS X 10.10-10.11. 7. Discontinued support for Publishing module. 8. Fixed bugs and improved stability. ------------------- Version 24.5 (August 31, 2021) ------------------- What's New in Version 24.5: https://akvis.com/en/sketch/whats-new-24.5.php 1. Redesigned user interface. 2. Changed the program's icon. 3. Added Favorites group for the presets. 4. Changed the default value for Processing Size Limit in the Preferences. 5. Extended the list of supported RAW formats. 6. Fixed a wrong display of the preview for images not larger than the preview area (in the Classic style). 7. Improved the program stability and fixed minor bugs. ------------------- Version 24.0 (January 19, 2021) ------------------- What's New in Version 24.0: https://akvis.com/en/sketch/whats-new-24.php 1. Improved the Maestro style. 2. Added combined use of Passe-Partout and Classic Frame (Decoration -> Frame -> Passe-Partout). 3. Added Color option for Vignette (Decoration -> Frame -> Vignette). 4. Added support for macOS 11 Big Sur. 5. Improved compatibility with Adobe CC 2021. 6. Extended the list of supported RAW formats. 7. Updated the Installation Wizard for Windows. 8. Fixed bugs and improved program stability. ------------------- Update for Mac (November 5, 2020) ------------------- Added compatibility with Affinity Photo. ------------------- Version 23.5 (September 8, 2020) ------------------- What's New in Version 23.5: https://akvis.com/en/sketch/whats-new-23.5.php 1. Fixed moiré effect in Classic and Artistic styles. 2. Added Favorites feature for Presets. 3. Added the possibility to use different saving and loading directories without switching. 4. Extended the list of supported RAW formats. 5. Fixed bugs and improved stability. ------------------- Version 23.0 (April 23, 2020) ------------------- What's New in Version 23.0: https://akvis.com/en/sketch/whats-new-23.php 1. Added new Maestro Style of photo to sketch conversion. 2. Improved the Original Colors mode in Classic Style. 3. Added the Delete Snapshot button to the Timeline. 4. Improved the Crop tool with the new Fixed Size mode. 5. Improved compatibility with Adobe Photoshop CC 2020. 6. Extended the list of supported RAW formats. 7. Fixed known bugs and improved program stability. ------------------- Version 22.0 (October 14, 2019) ------------------- What's New in Version 22.0: https://akvis.com/en/sketch/whats-new-22.php 1. Added compatibility with macOS Catalina (10.15). 2. Added compatibility with Adobe Photoshop Elements 2020, Corel PaintShop Pro 2020 and Painter 2020. 3. Added the file renaming feature to the Batch Processing option. 4. Added the possibility to position the text/watermark anywhere in the image (Decoration -> Text tab). 5. Added support for more RAW files in the standalone version. 6. Updated the Installation Wizard for Windows. 7. Fixed bugs and improved stability. ------------------- Version 21.0 (July 30, 2019) ------------------- What's New in Version 21.0: https://akvis.com/en/sketch/whats-new-21.php 1. The Artistic Mode has been reworked. 2. The classic Angle parameter has been replaced with a circular one that is more user-friendly; 3. Added new check-boxes to Preferences: Show Processing Size, Old Artistic Algorithm; 4. Accelerated the Blur algorithm (Background tab -> Sketch & Blur); 5. Added the option to adjust the center of the Radial Blur effect; 6. Added support for more RAW files in the standalone version. 7. Fixed bugs and improved stability. ------------------- Version 20.7 (March 28, 2019) ------------------- What's New in Versions 20.5, 20.6, 20.7: https://akvis.com/en/sketch/whats-new-20.7.php 1. The Publishing option has been extracted to a separate module (on Windows). 2. Added support for more RAW files in the standalone version. 3. Interface themes in the Preferences are now presented as color plates. 4. Fixed bugs and improved stability. ------------------- Hotfix for Mac (January 11, 2019) ------------------- Fixed the bug that sometimes caused the program to crash when loading JPEG files. ------------------- Hotfix for Mac (November 30, 2018) ------------------- Fixed the issue that was causing the images to incorrectly display on 4K & 5K monitors. ------------------- Version 20.6 (November 27, 2018) ------------------- What's New in Versions 20.5, 20.6, 20.7: https://akvis.com/en/sketch/whats-new-20.7.php 1. Added compatibility with Photoshop CC 2019 (version 20.0). 2. Added compatibility with macOS 10.14 (Mojave). 3. Added support for more RAW files in the standalone version. 5. Fixed minor bugs. ------------------- Version 20.5 (June 27, 2018) ------------------- What's New in Versions 20.5, 20.6, 20.7: https://akvis.com/en/sketch/whats-new-20.7.php 1. Added the Notification Panel that keeps users informed about the latest updates of Sketch. 2. Added the advanced Eyedropper Tool that appears when selecting a color. 3. Increased the maximum size of tools. 4. Added support for more RAW files in the standalone version. 5. Fixed minor bugs. ------------------- Version 20.0 (February 20, 2018) ------------------- What's New in Version 20.0: https://akvis.com/en/sketch/whats-new-20.php 1. Added the Random Patterns feature to the Pattern frame in the Decoration tab. 2. The Texture Library has been updated. Added new pattern categories: Stars and Ornaments & Doodles. 3. Some check-boxes have been replaced with icons. 4. The enabled tools are now highlighted with color. 5. Added support for more RAW files in the standalone version. 6. Improved the brightness increasing algorithm for patterns and textures. 7. Fixed minor bugs. ------------------- Version 19.5 (October 30, 2017) ------------------- What's New in Versions 19.0, 19.1, 19.5: https://akvis.com/en/sketch/whats-new-19.5.php 1. Added the compatibility with Photoshop CC 2018. 2. Added the new Gray interface theme. The Dark and Light themes have been improved. 3. The maximum available scale of the interface now depends on the screen resolution. 4. Added support for more RAW files in the standalone version. 5. Dropbox is temporarily hidden from the list of the available publishing services due to the changes in its policy. Publishing on Tumblr is now available again. 6. Fixed minor bugs. ------------------- Version 19.1 (April 27, 2017) ------------------- What's New in Versions 19.0, 19.1, 19.5: https://akvis.com/en/sketch/whats-new-19.5.php 1. Improved the plugin compatibility with image editors. 2. Support for new RAW files for the standalone version. 3. Fixed bugs. ------------------- Version 19.0 (Jan 30, 2017) ------------------- What's New in Versions 19.0, 19.1, 19.5: https://akvis.com/en/sketch/whats-new-19.5.php 1. Added new effects to both styles: Shadows, Noise, Contrast. 2. Added new ready-to-use AKVIS presets. Changed the AKVIS Default presets and preset preview images. 3. Added new check-boxes to the Pencil tool: Refined Lines, Smoothing. 4. Optimized the user interface: unified the appearance of tabs in both styles; hidden the Direction tab in the Classic style. 5. Improved the plugin compatibility with Photoshop CC 2017. 6. Support for new RAW files for the standalone version. 7. Fixed minor bugs. ------------------- Version 18.0 (July 27, 2016) ------------------- What's New in Version 18.0: https://akvis.com/en/sketch/whats-new-18.php 1. Added new Decoration section which contains three tabs - Canvas, Text, and the new Frame tab with these kinds of frames: Classic, Pattern, Strokes, Vignette, and Passe-Partout. 2. Added support for Ultra HD 4K and 5K resolution displays. The interface has been modernized and provides better display capabilities. The texts and new vector based icons now scale correctly. 3. Added new ready-to-use AKVIS presets. 4. Added the possibility to choose a drive to install the program. 5. Improved the plugin compatibility with image editors. 6. Support for new RAW files for the standalone version. 7. Facebook and Tumblr are temporarily hidden from the list of the available publishing services due to the changes in their policy. 8. Fixed minor bugs. ----------------------- Version 17.0 (May 6, 2015) ----------------------- 1. Added the new Cross-hatching option to the Artistic style. 2. Added new presets created with the new Cross-hatching option. 3. Added the possibility to search for fonts by typing in the list in the Text tab. 4. Improved the Print dialog with new features of printing high resolution images on multiple pages. 5. Extended the list of supported RAW files with new digital cameras. 6. Native 64-bit support on Mac. 7. Changed the Navigator window into the roll-up panel. 8. Improved the Crop tool. Now it is possible to set the aspect ratio and use Ctrl-key to define a new crop area. 9. Changed the About the Program window. 10. Changed the Activation window. 11. Fixed minor bugs. Changed the Upgrade Policy for the product. See: https://akvis.com/en/upgrade-software.php ----------------------- Version 16.0 (Nov 20, 2014) ----------------------- (free update) 1. Added the button for making a snapshot during the image processing, to the right of the progress bar. 2. Improved the Timeline with the possibility to pin images to save them in the list when changing the parameters. 3. Added the post-processing tools to edit the result - Pencil and Eraser, and the History Brush that lets fading the drawing effect. 4. Added the smart non-destructive Crop tool. 5. Increased the quick preview area. Now the default value is 500, the max value is 1,000 px. 6. Improved the Text tab: - added the possibility to load an image to place a watermark; - added the Opacity parameter; - added the button to locate text/image in the center of the drawing; - increased the max value (=200) of the Size of the characters. 7. Changed processing in the Canvas tab: - hidden the Reveal Texture parameter (does not affect); - added filling with white of an alpha channel of the texture image. 8. Added the new Dark interface theme. It's possible to switch between the styles in the program preferences. 9. Extended the list of supported RAW files with digital cameras from FUJIFILM, SONY, NIKON, SAMSUNG, etc. 10. Added official support for the new Mac OS X 10.10 Yosemite. 11. Removed the Timeline button from the Control Panel. The Timeline area is now visible by default; it can be hidden in the program's preferences. 11. Improved compatibility of the plugin with Adobe Photoshop CC 2014, Adobe Photoshop Elements 13, Corel PaintShop Pro X7. 12. Changed the Preferences dialog window: - extended the default and max values of the Preview Window Size parameter; - hidden the Restore Parameters option (always is active); - added the check-box that helps to hide and show the Timeline; - added selection for the Interface Theme (Light/Dark). 13. Changed the visibility of the tools depending on the Before/After tab. 14. Fixed bugs: - the glitch in the plugin with non-Latin characters in file names; - the bug with the Eraser tool appearing under the Home license; - the bug in the standalone version that caused unstable processing in the Artistic style after batching; - fixed the glitch in the Motion Blur in the background tab; and other minor bugs. Changed the Upgrade Policy for the product. See: https://akvis.com/en/upgrade-software.php ----------------------- Version 15.0 (Sep 4, 2013) ----------------------- (free update) 1. Added the possibility to change Pencil Color and Background Color of a drawing. 2. Added new presets to both styles, Classic (+24) and Artistic (+25). 3. Added the Share option that lets users post pictures from the program to the social services: Facebook, Twitter, Flickr, Tumblr, Google+. 4. Added compatibility of the plugin with Adobe Photoshop CC. 5. Improved the installation process for Windows. Now two setup files are available: for Windows 32 bit and Windows 64 bit. 6. Renamed the Color Pencil check-box to Original Colors. 7. Added new tools: Zoom and Hand. 8. Fixed some bugs and interface glitches which occurred when switching Classic/Artistic styles:    a) Fixed crash when importing presets from other style;    b) Improved visibility of guiding and effect area lines and buttons for loading/saving these lines;    c) Fixed ​​the restoration of the current settings. 9. Changed and the options of displaying the Hints Panel (removed the old "yellow" style). 10. Improved the interruption process when using the "Stop" button. ----------------------- Version 14.0 (Aug 24, 2012) ----------------------- (free update) 1. Added the Timeline feature which creates the list of the shots during image processing. 2. Added the new Timeline Shots option to the Preferences dialog box. 3. Compatibility with Mac OS X 10.8. ----------------------- Version 13.5 (May 14, 2012) ----------------------- (free update) 1. Added compatibility of the plugin with Adobe Photoshop CS6 and Photoshop Elements 11. 2. Improved compatibility of the plugin with Corel PSP X4. 3. Fixed bug when working with certain color profiles. 4. Fixed the EXIF error and the orientation error when saving JPEG. 5. Added support for images from Panasonic camera DMC-GX1. 6. Improved the Print dialog (when no printers are installed). ----------------------- Version 13.0 (Jan 30, 2012) ----------------------- (free update) 1. Added new "Artistic" style of photo-to-sketch conversion. Standard processing from the previous versions is called now the "Classic" style. 2. Added 26 presets to the new style and the preview images for the old and new AKVIS presets. 3. Renamed the "Size" parameter (in "Classic" style) - to "Stroke Thickness". 4. Stopped support for the "old algorithm" used in versions 1-8.6 (it was available until now, in versions 9-12 - by activating that option in the program preferences), as well as the presets made with the old algorithm. The presets created in versions 9-12 using the "new algorithm" will be transfer in version 13. 5. Added the popup dialog for the tools' options (before the parameters of the tools were available in the Settings Panel). 6. Added the possibility to hide/show the Control Panel. 7. Added the new color scheme of the Hints Panel. 8. Improved RAW processing (loading the RAW images): added support for Sony cameras (SLT-A35, SLT-A65V, NEX-5N), fixed color processing, added support for DNG files. 9. Updated the Preferences dialog window: added the "Lock the Control Panel" check-box and the options of displaying the Hints Panel, removed the "Use old Sketch Algorithm" check-box. 10. Updated both dialogs for Import/Export presets. 11. Improved compatibility with Mac OS X 10.7 Lion. 12. Improved the Pastel preset in Classic style. 13. Fixed bugs. -------------------- Version 12.5 (Apr 18, 2011) -------------------- (free update) 1. Added support for Batch Processing to the standalone version. 2. Added support for RAW files. 3. Added the possibility to use OS File dialog (for loading and saving files). 4. Added the "Go To the Product page" button. 5. Fixed small bugs. 6. Updated the Help files. ----------------------- Version 12.0 (Jan 28, 2011) ----------------------- (free update) 1. Added the new Smudging parameter which creates the effect of smearing hatching in midtone areas of a drawing. 2. Improved algorithm of getting semi-processed images: now it becomes simpler and more exact. The conversion can be stopped by pressing Esc or Stop button. 3. Added the list of Recent Files which is visible by right mouse clicking on the Open Image button. 4. Added the parameter which defines the number of recent files (to the program's Preferences). 5. Added hotkeys to the Control Panel commands (Open, Save, Print, Help). 6. Fixed small bugs. ----------------------- AKVIS Sketch Photo Kiosk (Aug 25, 2010) ----------------------- The Photo Kiosk version of Sketch has been released. ----------------------- Version 11.0 (May 27, 2010) ----------------------- (free update) 1. Added the possibility to switch between two interface modes: Express and Advanced. 2. Added the ability to save guiding lines to a file *.direction, and to load the file. 3. Added support for 64 bit to the plugin version. It is now compatible with Photoshop CS4-CS5 64-bit on both Windows and Macintosh. 4. Fixed small bugs. ----------------------- Version 10.1 (Mar 4, 2010) ----------------------- (free update) 1. Fixed error that sometimes caused the program to crash when working with stroke direction lines. ----------------------- Version 10.0 (Nov 19, 2009) ----------------------- (free update - from v.9) 1. Added the new Stroke Direction tool, which can be used to control hatch direction, and a set of parameters that affect the change in hatching when this tool is used (available under Home Deluxe and Business licenses). 2. Added a new parameter in the Edges tab called Edge Strength, which controls how edges are drawn by affecting the intensity of lines and details. 3. The Preview Window has been improved. Due to popular demand, the Preview Window now not only displays how the photo will appear as a drawing, it now also shows the effect of applying a canvas, making the selection of just the right texture faster and more efficient. 4. Three new presets from AKVIS. Now there are a total of 11 built-in presets available. 5. New option in the Preferences. Now it is possible to choose whether to start the program with the last settings used or to start with the default settings. 6. Added compatibility with Windows 7 and Snow Leopard (Mac OS X 10.6). 7. Added support for 64 bit to the plugin version (compatibility with Adobe Photoshop CS4 64 bit). 8. Compatibility with Adobe Photoshop Elements 8. 9. A new installation program on Windows. To avoid the problems Win-users must remove previous versions before installing this one. 10. Impoved the Print dialog box (added the possibility to select a printer and its resolution). ---------------------- Version 9.0 (Aug 17, 2009) ---------------------- (update $39 USD) 1. Changed the interface design. 2. Improved algorithm of photo-to-sketch conversion (the option to use the old algorithm remains in the Preferences dialog box). 3. Added a new parameter field for edge definition - Edges. Now it is possible to manipulate the thickness and sharpness of the created outlines. 4. Added possibility to change the saturation of color strokes when using the color pencil drawing mode (check-box Color Pencil). 5. Added 7 ready-to-use AKVIS presets (B&W Sketch, WaterColor, Charcoal Low, Charcoal High, Color Pencil Low, Color Pencil High, Pastel). 6. Added the possibility to import/export a list of presets. 7. Updated the program documentation. 8. Changed the application icon. 9. Impoved the Print dialog box. ---------------------- Version 8.6 (Mar 26, 2009) ---------------------- (free update) 1. Improved the way a photo is converted into a watercolor painting (the Watercolor effect in Sketch). 2. Fixed the compatibility bug that caused the plugin version to crash on Macintosh computers with Photoshop CS3, CS4. 3. Improved plugin compatibility on Windows. 4. Fixed problem in program hints, where hints were displayed for the wrong tools. 5. Added support of 32 bit images to the plugin (earlier available only for the standalone). 6. Updated the window "About the program". Now it lets you choose a license type during the trial period, so you can try all features. The license can also be updated later. ---------------------- Version 8.5 (Dec 9, 2008) ---------------------- (free update) 1. Added a new tab Text, which allows adding a signature or a greeting to your drawing. 2. Fixed errors. ---------------------- Version 8.0 (Oct 7, 2008) ---------------------- (free update) 1. Added a preview window for quick adjusting the parameters. 2. Added support of Exif and IPTC data (the data registered by the camera when shooting as well as the comments, keywords and other information about the photo filled out by the user). 3. Improved compatibility with Windows Vista SP1. 4. Now there are three download files for Macintosh: standalone application, a plugin version for Photoshop CS3 and Photoshop Elements 6, and a plugin for earlier versions of Photoshop and Photoshop Elements (legacy file). 5. Added a new language (Italian) to the program documentation (Help). ---------------------- Version 7.0 (Apr 29, 2008) ---------------------- (free update) 1. Added the Background tab with special effects that make the final photo more impressive. 2. Added tools which help to define the effect areas (Keep/Drop pencils). ---------------------- Version 6.5 (Mar 13, 2008) ---------------------- (free update) 1. Added real-time drawing that allows to make the process more entertaining, preview the result and control the processing. 2. Added a possibility to interrupt the processing by pressing Escape. 3. Improved Color Strokes algorithm. ---------------------- Version 6.0 (Oct 29, 2007) ---------------------- (free update) 1. Added the possibility to imitate a drawing on a canvas or any other textured surface, such as corrugated paper, brick wall, metallic or ceramic coating, etc. 2. Added a new tab - "Canvas"- with the settings for the new effect. 3. Added a Texture Library with surface samples. 4. Added support of Mac OS X 10.5 (Leopard). 5. Added compatibility with Photoshop Elements 6.0. 6. Fixed some minor bugs. ---------------------- Version 5.5 (Aug 6, 2007) ---------------------- (free update) 1. Added new feature "Color Strokes" that allows converting a photo to sketch in such a way that it looks like drawn by color pencils. 2. Improved color profiles handling. 3. Fixed some minor bugs. 4. Standalone Edition made available. The download contains both versions (plugin and standalone) plus help files. ---------------------- Version 4.0 (May 18, 2007) ---------------------- (free update) 1. Image processing speed increased approximately on 25-40%. 2. Sketch is now Universal Binary! It runs on both Intel- and PowerPC-based Mac computers. 3. Compatibility with Photoshop CS3 on Intel Mac. ---------------------- Version 3.0 (Feb 12, 2007) ---------------------- (free update) 1. Added option to save/edit Presets. 2. Fixed bug that caused false display and processing of an image in the plug-in's window after layer transformation/movement. 3. Compatibility with Windows Vista. 4. New installation method on Macintosh. To install the plugin just drag the folder AKVIS Sketch into the PlugIns folder of a photo editor. ---------------------- Version 2.1 (Nov 27, 2006) ---------------------- (free update) 1. Added new interface languages: Italian, Japanese. 2. Added support of Photoshop Elements v.5. ---------------------- Version 2.0 (Nov 2, 2006) ---------------------- (free update) 1. Added Photoshop batch processing support that allows applying the same settings to a series of images. 2. Simplified the installation procedure on mac computers. ---------------------- Version 1.1 (Aug 30, 2006) ---------------------- - first public release