LazPaint

Going forward with vector support and interoperability, LazPaint can now read and write layered SVG files and SVG layers in OpenRaster. So for example, you can draw vector shapes and save them as SVG. The file can then be opened in an SVG editor. In particular, with Inkscape the layers information is also available. Conversely, if you prepare a layered SVG in Inkscape, you can open it in LazPaint and you will see each layers and be able to transform then or change their visibility. Text and curves are supported, the only limitation for now is when using texture filling and phong shading which are a bit complicated to handle in SVG. The OpenRaster format also allows to add SVG layers. Similarly, you can make a layered image in LazPaint, use vector shapes and save it as OpenRaster. You can open it in various software that supports OpenRaster with SVG: DrawPile, Chasys Draw and MyPaint. If the target software does not handle SVG, you can first rasterize the layers. There is a but...

Version 7.1.5 has been released, fixing some minor interface problems. That's all great, though LazPaint still isn't included in Debian distributions on Linux. For now, I have been producing an installable Deb file, which works fine. I had to do some research and testing to get it right. I have written what I learnt in the process on FreePascal wiki:  Debian package structure This not yet available in Synaptic but there is some progress and it seems that I finally got an upstream source that could be compatible with Debian distributions. Here is the  issues  thread on GitHub. It has been a long process, because there is no so much documentation about it, and even less regarding projects using Pascal language. People that know about Debian packaging do not have much spare time and they are used to C language projects.

 It feels like this version is at last stable and works fine on Windows, Linux and MacOS. Regarding MacOS, it is now optimized as the other versions and it handles Retina display. I am happy to get there as I really want to have one version that has no bugs and no significant problems, before doing a new version with new features. It is similar to version 6.4.1 but with vector objects and various improvements on the tools and interface. I am thinking about creating a forum so that users can exchange tips and that could help gather resources around the program, for example Python scripts.

Some bugs have been found in the latest version, so I am fixing those. It is frustrating that even if alllocating time to test, some bugs still slip through. Maybe having a longer test period next time?

 Using texture filling with shaded shapes   What's new compared to version 7.0.7 Files   * read/write support for WebP images using libwebp   * read support for RAW images using dcraw   * read support for Portable Any Map (PBM, PGM, PPM)   * fix loading PDN images   * show progress of loading/saving/actions on layered images Interface   * less flickering during action progress   * minor scaling improvements   * dark theme for status bar   * add Donate tool button   * separate color for background and outline   * fix remember save file extension Tools   * fix updating transparent colors   * fix release of middle mouse button   * fix gradient undo/redo   * optimize layer transform   * scripting in Python   * script for layer effects: color overlay, drop shadow, inner light, stroke   * more scripts: split/merge channels, mask   * vectorial tools: gradient and texture fill for vec...

Many features that I talked about in the previous post have been implemented. I feel like the software is complete enough to be released. To check the latest version see: https://github.com/bgrabitmap/lazpaint/releases Regarding colors splitting channels into RGB/HSL : that can be done using the Script menu. lighten/darken mode has been added to the eraser picking up color by holding the SHIFT key when using a pen or a brush tool   Regarding vectors vectorial multi-selection in the edit shape tool (holding CTRL to select more shapes) adding holes in a polygon using SHIFT-click  Regarding layers  layer effects are available in the Script menu (drop shadow, inner light, inner shadow, color overlay, stroke) alpha mask can be added in the layer stack using Script menu, though it is not associated with a layer in particular, it is applied to all layers underneath Regarding interface tools items are grouped. The group is shown when hovering the tool ic...