Phatch 0.2 (Photo Batch Processor): Vote for new features!

[stani]

Phatch is a photo batch processor with an user friendly gui:
http://photobatch.stani.be (ubuntu installer available)

You can read more about Phatch here:
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=466598

I'd like to hear your feedback for the next version of Phatch 0.2. What are your priorities? I am just curious about your reactions but I will chose anyhow by myself, so it won't be a democratic. I rather listen to good arguments in the discussion which can start in this thread.

Of course you could want all that at once in Phatch 0.2, but that is not realistic. I prefer to concentrate on one major feature for each release.

I originally planned myself live preview. But I got numerous requests for opening up Phatch to external actions.

- external actions: phatch can interoperate with other command line tools such as imagemagick, tufuse, and even blender (why not). This could even be taken a step further and not limit phatch not only to batch process images but any file type (eg html 2 pdf).

- live preview: Phatch could have a window with a test image which updates as soon as one of the parameters in the action list is changed. Phatch would compete more directly with Lightbox. Disclaimer: Phatch uses Python which is not fast enough for realtime preview. So take in account it will take probably from some seconds to some minutes to update the preview. Don't say I didn't warn you.

- full layer support: Phatch would be able to do multi-layered actions such as in Gimp or Photoshop

- exif & iptc: Right now Phatch can only keep the existing metadata, but does not allow to manipulate it.

- other: you name it...

If you are python developer and feel like joining, maybe we can get more work done together. Your vote for a feature will weight stronger if you commit yourself to writing documentation and tutorials with screenshots for it.

It is time to vote now!
Stani

[stani]

I added a disclaimer to "live preview", so you don't have false expectations.

[bvanaerde]

About the live preview: maybe this can be replaced with a "standard dummy image", to make the preview faster.
It won't be a real preview anymore, but it will still indicate what effect the actions will have on the images.

Live preview doesn't make sense to me, as you're applying the actions to a collection of images. That means you'd have to show a preview of all images, which is a bit overkill, imo.

[lyceum]

Is this suppose to be like the new GIMP?

[stani]

About the live preview: maybe this can be replaced with a "standard dummy image", to make the preview faster.
It won't be a real preview anymore, but it will still indicate what effect the actions will have on the images.

This only makes sense for a *single* action but for a preview of a whole action list it would not make sense as there are the possible combinations into action lists are endless. So this is really a separate thing next to live preview. For that feature someone gives the dummy image he wants and Phatch generates previews for all the actions, which could be displayed from then on when choosing an action.

Live preview doesn't make sense to me, as you're applying the actions to a collection of images. That means you'd have to show a preview of all images, which is a bit overkill, imo.

I think live preview does make sense because of certain actions and especially in combining them. For example configuration of the action perspective is almost impossible without a live preview. The live preview would not be for all the images but for selected images, such as the image inspector now. I think that live preview would make Phatch even more accessible for graphic newbies.

[stani]

Is this suppose to be like the new GIMP?

Do you mean GEGL (http://www.gegl.org/)? In a way Phatch is already working a bit like that. The main difference between Gimp and Phatch is that in Gimp you interact with the image by the mouse, while in Phatch you interact with the image by action lists.

[lyceum]

After playing with it, it looks like a great idea. I can't wait to see the 1.0 release

[stani]

After playing with it,it looks like a great idea.

What Phatch as you played with it or a planned feature?

I can't wait to see the 1.0 release

Haha, I am very conservative with my version numbers. In fact there is no reason, why 0.1 could not be 1.0 and 0.2 could be 2.0, ... but I like high standards

[lyceum]

What Phatch as you played with it or a planned feature?Haha, I am very conservative with my version numbers. In fact there is no reason, why 0.1 could not be 1.0 and 0.2 could be 2.0, ... but I like high standards

The only ones I am really into at this point are the rounded, shadow and water mark. My only grip so far would be that I could not put my name as the water mark. It would be nice if an artist could upload there own logo and/or type their name and place it where they want the since they want on the page as a branding. Like this:

http://deathbycanon-stock.deviantart...rl-17-56517505

When I "water marked" with the Phatch logo I got this huge picture on my picture. To be totally honest, I would be happier if you could make this program run with the GIMP, that way I could click on the Phatch extension and finish my picture faster. But I know that is too much to ask.

All in all, great job! The one thing I miss from Photo Impact Pro was the window where I could do cool things, like this program can do. I you are looking for a list of things to want to add please let me know. I have one.

[stani]

The only ones I am really into at this point are the rounded, shadow and water mark. My only grip so far would be that I could not put my name as the water mark.

If you would read the documentation (on http://photobatch.wikidot.com), you can! In that case you need to choose the "Text" action and you can write with any available font on your system your name on the picture.

It would be nice if an artist could upload there own logo and/or type their name and place it where they want the since they want on the page as a branding.

Again you can already, read the documentation. With watermark you select the option "Offset" and specify where to place it in pixes, % or whatever. (Negative values align from the other side right-left of top-bottom.)

Like this:

http://deathbycanon-stock.deviantart...rl-17-56517505

If you have such a font on your system, you could do it with the Text action, or you prepare it in Gimp and use the Watermark action.

When I "water marked" with the Phatch logo I got this huge picture on my picture.

That is because you choose the scale method of watermark.

To be totally honest, I would be happier if you could make this program run with the GIMP, that way I could click on the Phatch extension and finish my picture faster. But I know that is too much to ask.

Phatch and Gimp serve different goals:
http://photobatch.wikidot.com/faq#toc4

All in all, great job! The one thing I miss from Photo Impact Pro was the window where I could do cool things, like this program can do. I you are looking for a list of things to want to add please let me know. I have one.

You can add your wishes here:
https://blueprints.launchpad.net/phatch

First look carefully if it has not been proposed yet or if it is better to add it to an existing blueprint.