EMBERLINE
For a long time (since I was a little baby) I’ve been a fan of hybrid editors.
Tools that combine bitmap and vector seamlessly in one place.
Plenty of tools tried. I did too. (I couldn’t resist the pun)
A hybrid graphics editor
Most software splits the world in two:
You either get a vector tool with a bit of bitmap editing, or a bitmap editor with some vector features bolted on.
But in a hybrid editor it’s not this or that: it’s both, at the same time.
When you paint on the canvas, it should feel like a real image editor. When you draw shapes, it should feel like a proper vector tool.
And they should live by the same rules.
A vector object should behave like any other bitmap layer, same blending options, same effects.
You should be able to blur it, adjust it, experiment, and still keep it fully editable as a vector.
I know, I’m kinda describing Macromedia (RIP) Fireworks (RIP too) - that could have been all that if it wasn’t sent to a permanent retirement by the almighty
Adobe.
And also I’m describing my own Real-Draw, that too stopped short.
WIP TECH PREVIEW
THIS IS LIKE PRE-ALPHA VERSION
So what is a hybrid editor?
Third time’s a charm
This is the third time, I’m writing this type of image editor. It almost feels like a tradition. Every decade…
But this time I decided to scrap everything - I’m NOT going to re-use any ancient code. I’m going to design this from the
scratch, all fresh and designed for the modern computer. No baggage!
The current status
Interface
Phase 0 (99% complete)
Layers, blending, Opacity
Done.
Interface, Manipulator
Resize, Rotate, Skew, Distort.
Layer view
Layers, bottom Layer Can be transparent or fill. Mouse reordering. Hiding layers, locking.
Paint Engine
Phase 1 (90% complete)
Brushes and paint engine
Most of it is done (98%) Just some minor logistic
Selections
Rectangle, circle, polygone, freehand, Magic wand, Feather is parametric - done
Masks
Done, we can add Layer mask, paint or remove
AI Object selection
Not in the code, but works in test code - Inspired by Davinci Resolve (feels about the same)
Vector Library
Phase 2 - vector library is developed in a separate project before merging
Text Library
Phase 3 - text library is developed in a separate project before merging
Live Filters
Phase 1b (it should work before Phase 2)
Implemented and Working
Blur, Gaussian blur, Drop Shadow
Unexpected Extra
Posable bone editor
A bitmap object or multiple objects can have skeleton that allows them to be posed on
the main canvas
Light Cone
A parametric light cone that shines light on layer beneath
Coming soon
FAQ
Why?
After 30 years of making software, I think I can finally pull this off.
The trick is to start fresh, from scratch. No fixes, no rewrite - start from a clean slate. Sure, I’ll keep a few algorithms if they work super-well, but in general, I
don’t want ANY old code nowhere near this. (Code in Real-Draw goes back to Windows XP era!)
No, code doesn’t get better with time, it’s not wine.
So Emberline is optimized for today’s computers. With modern libraries and algorithms.
Will this be compatible with Real-Draw or whatever …?
No. I really don’t want any old project to put it’s sticky paws into this. It will use the standard general file formats like PNG, JPG, AI, PSD, SVG… whatever
everyone else uses.
Release Date?
I’m working on this in parallel with other projects. There is no deadline, but you will get the ability to peek in and see the progress with alpha releases.
