Development Logs (Older Versions Continued)

Program changes:

• Added integration with MPanel Shade Designer (on Add Object menu and new Shade Sails tab)
• Added ability to undo/redo changes to the page layout on the Print page
• Added ability to save the page as an image file from the Print page (in addition to printing it)
• Added ability to move, rotate, and scale the selected object by specified numerical amounts
• Added ability to make an object obscure part of another object, useful for making windows within fabric panels
• Added ability to group objects together for movement, applying fabrics, etc.
• Added ability to combine a group of objects into a single object
• Added ability to split, combine, and re-combine object parts
• Added ability to replace the selected object (Add Object, "Replace selected" checkbox in upper right)
• Improved speed and usability of Object Parts tree including columns, sorting, drag and drop re-ordering
• Added ability to rotate object by 90 degrees using the '9' key
• Improved object movement and rotation when viewing objects from different angles
• Added ability to select metric and other units (feet/in, feet, in, m, cm)
• Added ability to control individual object brightness (via emissive property in material properties)
• Improved dimension sliders (and others) to use non-linear scaling for greater precision and range
• Fixed loading of large (>3MP) image files on some computers with Intel integrated graphics
• Added ability to open TIFF files for backdrops, graphics, and texture images
• Added "Exempt from constraints" object property, controls whether object can pass through backdrop/ground
• Added ability to change opacity of text and graphic objects
• Added ability to center camera on clicked point in space (middle-click during rotate camera mode)
• Improved usability of controls on Render Image page for specifying render size and crop area
• Added several new commands to the "Modify Model Geometry" menu, for processing imported 3D models
• Added ability to save object as Custom Object (right-click on object and choose Save as Custom Object)
• Added display of fabric name/number applied to selected object in texture properties
• Added right-click context menu for 3D view when no object is selected
• Added 3D wireframe view options (right-click in 3D view with no object selected)
• Added ability to temporarily change dimension slider min/max values (right-click on slider)
• Improved appearance of some fabrics/textures when using Intel integrated graphics
• Improved ease of use of specular lighting material properties
• Improved rendering quality of specular highlights
• Added ability to type feet and inch markers (' and ") in valance properties
• Added keyboard command for centering the camera on the selected object (/)
• Improved global and 3D view keyboard commands (like Ctrl+Z) to work when other controls have focus
• Improved H.Repeat and V.Repeat texture sliders to be linked by default (right-click to toggle)
• Improved saving of scene files to embed imported textures
• Added ability to set material properties for multiple parts (when parent is selected)
• Added option for synchronization of texture properties between fabric and valance, enabled by default
• Added informational display message when saving the scene
• Added ability to adjust camera with arrow keys while in camera modes
• Added disabling of unrelated UI when performing certain operations such as setting backdrop scale
• Added warning/error messages for older unsupported Intel 910/915 and 945 graphics hardware
• Added separate tracking of "Maintain Aspect Ratio" setting for text vs. graphic objects
• Added "Align Axes" command for aligning the axes of one object to another without rotating the object
• Improved order of objects in object tree and object selection after duplicating an object
• Improved registration error message to mention company name
• Fixed crop area on Render Image page to be properly saved and loaded from scene files
• Fixed image not updating when repeatedly importing a texture or graphic from the same file
• Fixed incorrect lighting/coloring of objects without texture maps applied
• Fixed existing braid to be removed when choosing "Straight (no braid)" valance type
• Fixed changes to material properties to be undoable
• Fixed alignment tools to work when clicking on valance parts
• Fixed error message shown when trying to send feedback on computer with incorrect date/time
• Fixed rare problem causing custom backdrop/graphic tabs to not appear on some computers
• Fixed various uncommon crashes

3D models:

• Added Horizontal Plane model

See below for fabric changes.

Program changes:

• Changed arrow key movement/rotation in 3D view to be more precise (with and without shift)
• Added keyboard commands (comma and period) to cycle through previous/next object in 3D view
• Changed automatic advancement of time to halt upon manual rotation of light
• Improved zoom sensitivity in page layout view
• Fixed loss of transparency when copying and pasting images within the page layout
• Fixed image replacement when copying and pasting images with same dimensions within page layout
• Fixed per-object shadow visibility settings to be saved in scene files
• Fixed opacity to be saved in scene files
• Fixed ground texture to be saved in scene files
• Fixed backdrop image not being included in scene file after undoing set backdrop
• Fixed several uncommon crashes

Valances:

• Fixed spelling errors and inconsistencies in some valance descriptions

Program changes:

• Added custom page layout interface for printing
• Added automatic update notification (optional)
• Added 3D object and text/graphic alignment tools (on Transform Object menu)
• Added "Look Around" camera mode
• Consolidated "Look At" camera mode functionality into "Rotate Camera" mode
• Added ability to select object parts by clicking/tapping in 3D view (click to select object, click again to select part)
• Added option to specify default valance height
• Added option to specify default braid thickness
• Added option to disable font preview in lists of fonts
• Added "Modify Model Geometry" menu to parent object in object tree, useful after importing 3D model
• Added visualization of printable area on Print page (dashed blue border)
• Changed Print page to always default to system default printer
• Changed crop area on Render Image page to be saved in scene files
• Changed default location for sky to use last searched location
• Changed auto lighting to be automatically enabled (once) when dragging time slider
• Changed main window maximized/restored status to be remembered between sessions
• Removed mouse wheel zooming when using angled backdrop (use Distance slider in Camera tab)
• Fixed shadows to not be visible when light source is below horizon (with fade near horizon)
• Allow setting braid for multiple awnings at a time (when no awning is selected)
• Fixed braid not applying when valance part is selected
• Fixed inability to set braid thickness with drop down box sometimes
• Fixed text resizing after having altered aspect ratio of text
• Fixed red flash when selecting object part sometimes not appearing
• Fixed scaling of green sphere representing camera center point when zooming in/out
• Fixed background when printing rendering with transparent background
• Fixed page size list when printing to include manufacturer-defined page sizes
• Fixed splash screen not appearing on some systems
• Fixed crash when trying to show font list when a font on the system is corrupt
• Fixed various uncommon crashes
• Improved error messages when trying to run on unsupported or non-functional graphics hardware
• Improved compatibility of OBJ 3D model importer, added warnings

Valances:

• Added "Straight (no braid)"
• Moved "Straight" to beginning of valance list
• Added new valance to Greek series (inserted as "Greek2")

3D models:

• Added new tent models with poles
• Fixed valance position/height for retractable awnings
• Fixed texture map orientation and scaling for various models
• Improved Sportfishing Boat to have default materials and translucent windows
• Added experimental marine interior models

Fabric and texture changes:

• Consolidated Sunbrella Solids and Sunbrella Stripes into single collection
• Improved color accuracy and detail of Sunbrella tweed fabrics
• Updated Polyfab warranty information
• Added new high quality grass texture called "Grass"

Program changes:

• Improved efficiency of printing
• Improved efficiency of browsing large collections of images in backdrop/graphic browser
• Added links to online training videos
• Fixed various uncommon crashes

3D models:

• Added drapes to Misc tab
• Added plant to Misc tab
• Fixed Plane object to allow application of text and graphics

See below for fabric changes.

Program changes:

• Fixed crash on startup on some computers with Intel Graphics running Windows XP
• Reduced rendering time when saving an image or printing (especially on ATI and older hardware)
• Reduced loading time when browsing different collections of fabrics
• Fixed BMP output not being compatible with Corel PHOTO-PAINT
• Fixed various conflicts with anti-virus and indexing software
• Fixed various uncommon crashes
• Added additional warnings and error messages for incompatible hardware and outdated display drivers
• Fixed filename extension not being updated on Windows XP when switching between image formats for saving

3D models:

• Added new Elongated Dome awning to Frames tab

See below for fabric changes.