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Version History

 

Windows Version 1.13 (November 2022)

  • Standalone:
    • Support for the raw files of 25 new cameras based on MetaRaw 3.12
  • Installation:
    • Installation support for Photoshop Elements 2023 and Affinity Photo 2
    • The installation now deletes the registry keps that keep Photoshop Elements 2022/2023 from loading plugins that crashed 3 times.
    • Support for the MS Store version of Photoshop Elements 2022. Does not try to install into the WindowsApps folder anymore.

Windows Version 1.12 (September 2021)

  • The "Photoshop Dark" skin style is now used by default
  • Bug Fix: Some tab buttons are not blocked anymore in certain modes when using a skin. Unusable tab buttons are not displayed anymore.
  • Bug Fix: Copying settings from one preview tab to another does not requires switching to that preview tab first anymore.

  • Standalone:
    • Support for the following new raw formats: CR3, SRW, MFW, BMQ, CINE, HDR, IA, KC2 and PXN
    • Support for the raw files of 120 new cameras based on MetaRaw 3.10
    • Bug Fix: When minimizing a maximized window two times, the controls previously vanished when displaying the window again.
    • Metaraw.dll does not require vcruntime140.dll to be installed anymore
  • Installation:
    • Installation support for newer versions of Photoshop Elements
    • The installation now deletes the registry keps that keep Photoshop Elements 2020/2021 from loading plugins that crashed 3 times.
  • Demo version:
    • The window of the demo version can now be expanded up to a size of 1680 x 1050 pixels (instead of 1024 x 768).

Mac Version 1.11 (April 2020)

  • The preview works again in Photoshop 2020 (Version 21.1.0 and higher)
  • No security warnings under macOS 10.15 Catalina
  • MacOS 10.6-10.8 is not supported anymore (to avoid installation problems under macOS Catalina)
  • Installation support for Photoshop Elements 2020


Windows Version 1.11b (November 2018)

  • Affinity Photo:
    • Fixed control repositioning in Affinity Photo 1.6.4 when maximizing the window
    • Color dialogs are now displayed in Affinity Photo.
  • Standalone:
    • Support for the raw files of 35 new cameras based on MetaRaw 3.03.
    • Support for saving grayscale 8-bit images as PSD files
    • No more crash when reading the EXIF data from DNG files taken by the Huawei P20 (Pro).
  • Plugin Installer:
    • Works again under Windows XP
    • Support for the Microsoft Store version of Photoshop Elements 15


Mac Version 1.10b (November 2018)

  • Support for the App Store versions of Photoshop Elements (Use the Install icon!)

Mac Version 1.10 (August 2018)

  • The preview works again with Affinity Photo 1.6.7
  • Installation support for Photoshop Elements 2019


Windows Version 1.11 (April 2018)

  • All tools can now be used if the preview zoom is 200% or higher
  • Bug Fix: The preview coordinates on the Info tab sheet are displayed correctly if the preview zoom is 200% or higher

  • Plugin:
    • Plugin Installer:
      • Supports the Microsoft Store version of Photoshop Elements 2018
  • Standalone:
    • Support for the raw files of 70 new cameras based on MetaRaw 3.01.
    • Bug Fix: Saving PNG files works again
    • Installation:
      • Bug Fix: The External Editor Installer previously crashed on some systems. This should not happen anymore.

 

Mac Version 1.09c (November 2017)

  • Bug Fix: The presets were previously not installed. They are now included in the plugin itself. When running this version for the first time, they are copied to a new preset folder at /Users/<user name>/Library/Preferences/PhotoWiz/ContrastMaster/Presets/ in case this folder does not already exist. All user-saved presets from the old preset folder at /Library/Application Support/PhotoWiz/ContrastMaster/Presets/ are also copied to the new preset folder. If you previously modified included presets, you have to manually copy them from the old Presets folder to the new one.


Windows Version 1.10c (October 2017)

  • Scrolling the preview with a maximized window on a 4K screen now works fluently. It also works faster on Full HD screens.

  • Plugin:
    • Affinity Photo Fixes:
      • Bug Fix: No more crash when applying the plugin a second time to a 16-bit/channel image.
      • Bug Fix: When opening the maximized plugin window for the second time, the controls do not vanish anymore.
    • Plugin Installer:
      • Support for Paint Shop Pro 2018
      • Support for Corel Draw & Photo-Paint 2017
      • Fixed support for Corel Draw & Photo-Paint X5 and older
      • The Add Folder button now asks if you want to install the 64-bit versions of the plugins in the new folder. Previously the 32-bit plugins were automatically installed in the new folder.
  • Standalone:
    • Support for the raw files of 200 new cameras based on MetaRaw 2.54.
    • Support for the 16-bit PSD files created by ON1 Photo Raw, ON1 Photo 10 and OnOne Perfect PhotoSuite 9. Previously these files were displayed distorted. Now you can pass images from ON1 to the standalone as 16-bit per channel PSD files.
    • Bug Fix: The standalones do not produce TIFF files with empty IPTC meta data anymore, which are not supported by Lightroom.
    • The manual now includes instructions on using it in ACDSee, AfterShot Pro, Capture One, DxO Optics, Exposure, ON1 Photo RAW and Raw Therapee.
    • External Editor Installer:
      • Support for Exposure X3

Mac Version 1.09 (October 2017)

  • Installation support for Photoshop Elements 2018

Mac Version 1.09 (June 2017)

  • New installation:
    • Install, Uninstall and Manual icons
    • Installation support for Affinity Photo, GraphicConverter and Photoline via the new Install app
    • Installation support for the full version of Affinity Photo and the upcoming Photoshop Elements 16
    • Icons for drag and dropping the plugin to the plugin folders of various Photoshop and Photoshop Elements versions
    • No more problems with Gatekeeper
  • Bug Fix: Sometimes there was a crash when using a 16bit/channel image, maximized window and HiDPI setting (Retina screen)
  • Bug Fix: In Affinity Photo the preview is displayed correctly for RGB 16-bit images.
  • Bug Fix: When scrolling the preview in Affinity Photo, it is not displayed distorted anymore for RGB 8-bit images.
  • The ? button displays the pdf manual now


Windows Version 1.10b (March 2017)

  • "The Plugin Site" sub menu does not appear at the top of the Filter menu anymore, because the leading space character was removed.
  • Bug Fix: No more error message or crash when running the plugin on images larger than 2 GB, but it is not possible to process such large images by clicking OK.
  • Standalone/Lightroom Version:
    • Support for the raw files of 38 new cameras based on MetaRaw 2.07.
    • Bug Fix: The automatic image rotation previously produced strange results for 180 degree rotated JPEG, TIFF and PSD images.
    • Bug Fix: The EXIF orientation item was previously not adjusted when saving JPEG files, which resulted in wrong rotation when opening the saved file again.
  • Installation:
    • Bug Fix: On 32-bit systems the installer previously did not install the Standalone/Lightroom versions.
    • Plugin Installer:
      • Support for Irfan View
      • The Install button now gets the focus when the dialog shows up.
    • External Editor Installer:
      • In Lightroom the version numbers are again displayed after each product name
      • Bug Fix: No more message is displayed on uninstallation
      • Bug Fix: No PhotoWiz entry is added to Lightroom on uninstallation anymore
      • Bug Fix: Does not crash on uninstallation anymore

Windows Version 1.10 (February 2017)

  • New Skin feature that imitates the user interface of Lightroom, Photoshop, Photoshop Elements, PaintShop Pro and Affinity. There are 17 skin options in total on the Prefs tab sheet. Changing the skin option in one product, automatically changes it in all others. Standalones, Lightroom versions and plugins can have different skins though.
  • Support for preview zooming up to 3200%
  • New Reset arrow button, which replaced the On Reset combo on the Prefs tab sheet
  • The last selected tool is restored on startup now.
  • Cosmetic UI enhancements
  • Key Shortcuts:
    • New Ctrl + 0 and Ctrl + 1 key shortcuts for zooming the preview to Fit and 100%
    • You need to use Ctrl and the -/+ key for zooming the preview. Previously it worked with the -/+ keys only
    • You can now use the 0 key to set the slider, which currently has the input focus, to a zero value.
    • The space key shortcut for switching to the hand tool now only works if the cursor is over the preview.
  • The welcome message now displays after the main window appeared. It either asks if you want to use a dark skin or if you want to use an easier mode.
  • Bug Fix: In Photoshop Elements under Windows 10: The background color of all controls on tab sheets are now pure white. Previously some were light grey.
  • Bug Fix: Under Windows 10 with a Wacom graphics tablet: Clicking on the preview with the hand tool to show the original image works now
  • Bug Fix: No more flickering when starting up with a maximized window.
  • Improved manual with table of contents

  • Standalone/External Editor Versions:
    • New "Convert to sRGB" and "Do not save meta data" options on the Batch and Save Options dialogs
    • Support for the raw files of 80 new cameras based on MetaRaw 2.06.
    • Improved PSD support:
      • Reading and writing PSD files with 16-bit per channel now works without downsampling to 8-bit/channel
      • Support for color profiles when opening and saving PSD files
    • Improved meta data handling:
      • EXIF meta data is now preserved when opening a JPEG, TIFF, PSD or certain camera raw files (CR2, NEF, DNG, PEF) files and saving a JPEG, TIFF or PSD file.
      • When saving a PSD file, all available meta data (PSD, XMP, IPTC, EXIF) is now saved.
      • Opening and saving IPTC meta data for TIFF files works again.
      • All meta data is preserved when opening a PNG file and saving a PNG file.
      • When opening a PNG file, XMP meta data is opened and when saving a PNG file, available XMP meta data is saved now.
    • Bug Fix: A maximized window is restored when running it again.
    • Bug Fix: The image was not displayed in the preview when running it as an external editor from an application other than Lightroom or when running it with an image path in the command line.
    • Bug Fix: Fixed some memory leaks

  • Installation:
    • Combined installer for plugins and standalones
    • Future versions will be able to install over the current version without uninstallation. Please uninstall any previous version to avoid superfluous files.
    • It is now also possible to install the full version over the demo version without uninstalling the demo version.
    • The installation does not allow selecting an installation folder anymore. You can only select the drive. This avoid double installations of plugins.
    • Only one uninstall option is added to the "Add/Remove Programs" section of the control panel for new minor versions of the same product including demo/trial and full versions.
    • New Uninstall item is added to Start menu which displays the Add/Remove Programs dialog
    • The desktop icons of the standalones are uninstalled now
    • Bug Fix: The PhotoWiz Bundle uninstallation previously did not remove the external editor presets from Lightroom. To remove left-over entries manually go to c:\Users\<username>\AppData\Roaming\Adobe\Lightroom\External Editor Presets\

    • Plugin Installer:
      • Two new "Adobe Photoshop CC (All Versions)" items for installing plugins to a 32-bit or 64-bit plugin folder which is used by all existing and future versions of Photoshop CC. This way you do not need to install the plugin again after you installed a new version of Photoshop CC. Best uninstall the previous version to avoid duplicate plugins when using this new option.
      • Support for Affinity Photo (Please activate the "Allow Unknown plugins to be used" check box under Edit > Preferences > Photoshop Plugins in Affinity Photo to make it work.)
      • Plugin Installer now correctly displays "Photoshop CC 2015.5" instead of "Photoshop CC 2016".
      • Clicking on a list item activates its check box now
      • Plugin Installer has all applications activated by default during installation.

    • External Editor Installer (previously called "Lightroom Installer"):
      • Support for Exposure X2 and higher
      • Support for Corel AfterShot Pro 1 and higher
      • Support for ACDSee Ultimate 8 and higher
      • Support for ACDSee, ACDSee Pro, Bibble Lite/Pro 5
      • In Lightroom only the product name is added without the version number to avoid clutter.

MacOS X Version 1.08 (Installer Update) - June 2016

  • Support for installation in Photoshop Elements 14
  • Support for installation in Serif Affinity Photo. You may have to activate "Allow unknown plugins to be used" check box under Affinity Photo > Preferences > Photoshop Plugins in order to make the plugins appear on the Filter > Plugins sub menu.

 

Windows Standalone Version 1.09b (March 2016)

  • MetaRaw Converter is now used for opening camera raw files. This has the following advantages:
    • Support for 285 new raw file types
    • The images have a higher quality by default (so the High Quality options were removed).
    • The images already look brighter by default (so the Vivid style option was removed).
    • Full-size raw files are opened at least 20% faster
    • Support for new raw file types can be added much faster in future
  • Bug Fix: The width, height and profile information on the Info tab sheet are now updated immediately after opening a new image.
  • Bug Fix: The width and height information on the Info tab sheet are updated after saving a raw file in case it was reopened.
  • Bug Fix: In the Save dialog the original file extension is not displayed anymore to avoid an unecessary overwrite prompt.

 

Windows Version 1.09 (December 2015)

  • Support for HiDPI
    • The Standalone/Lightroom versions do not show a scaled up UI by default anymore.
    • The UI-Scaling-Preview-Cutoff problem in Photoshop CC 2014/2015 and Photoshop Elements 13/14 was fixed. However, the Soft Proof effect is not visible in the preview anymore if UI Scaling is active.
    • Histogram display was fixed
    • The positions of some control were readjusted for high dpi settings.
    • Larger cursors and program icon
  • Standalone Bug Fix: When saving to a path, which contained a dot character, and the entered file name contained no extension, the file was previously saved to the wrong folder with a wrong file name.
  • Double clicking the hand tool activates Fit zoom.
  • Double clicking the split view tool deactivates the Split View feature.
  • Improved installation:
    • Three less clicks are necessary, because the language, start menu and ready pages are not displayed anymore.
    • There are no separate Start menu folders and desktop icons added for different versions anymore. So better uninstall previous and demo versions before installing new/full versions.
    • Under Windows 8 & 10 there are even less icons with better names installed on the All Apps section of the Start menu to avoid clutter.
    • Please uninstall from the Control Panel as the uninstall icon is not added to the Start menu anymore.
    • Plugin Installer supports HiDPI

 

MacOS X Version 1.08 (October 2015)

  • Requires OS X 10.6 or higher
  • Support for Retina displays and HiDPI under OS X 10.7 and higher
  • The Dynamic Contrast effect renders faster
  • The Fit zoom option now uses zoom levels below 6% in order to fit very big images into the preview.
  • Bug Fix: No more crash if the Info tab sheet if displayed.
  • Bug Fix: Sat. Mask slider does not produce artifacts anymore.
  • Bug Fix: Sat. Mask slider works for images with 16-bit per channel and no crash occurs for certain 16-bit images anymore.

 

Windows Version 1.08 (October 2014)

  • Support for processing images larger than 30,000 pixels in witdh or height. Processing such big images usually only works with the 64-bit version and enough RAM.
  • No more window flashing at startup
  • The Fit zoom option now uses zoom levels below 6% in order to fit very big images into the preview.
  • The installation files, Standalone/Lightroom executables and Plugin Installer are now signed to avoid potential problems with security software.
  • The installation offers 46 instead of 21 languages.
  • The Split View combo box is now centered below the preview.
  • Plugin Installer now supports the 64-bit version of Photoshop Elements 13 and displays "Photoshop CC 2014" instead of "Photoshop CC2".
  • Bug Fix: No scrollbar is placed over the preview tab buttons anymore when using German language for the dialog.
  • Standalone Bug Fix: 8-bit TIFF files with a transparency channel can be opened now. The transparency infomation is ignored.
  • Standalone Bug Fix: When opening an image via command line does not work, that image does not appear on the Files tab anymore and the next command line image is automatically opened.
  • Standalone Bug Fix: The big icon with the product initials is now displayed in the task bar.

 

Windows Version 1.07 (August 2013)

  • Dynamic Contrast effect renders up to four times faster
  • 64-bit Standalone/Lightroom version, which renders up to 30% faster.
  • Plugin Installer now supports Paint Shop Pro X6 64-bit, Illustrator CS6 and Photoshop CS5.1. The broken support for Photoshop CS2 was fixed. "Photoshop CS7" was renamed to "Photoshop CC".
  • Support for external editing in Bibble and AfterShot Pro. The standalone installer automatically installs into Bibble and AfterShot Pro.
  • Support for new raw file formats in the Standalone version
  • The standalone offers a new "Recent Files" sub menu on top left arrow menu, which offers the 20 last opened files.
  • The standalone now share the same raw, color management and batch settings with other standalones that were built in March 2012 or later.
  • Bug Fix: Sat. Mask slider does not produce artifacts anymore.
  • Bug Fix: Sat. Mask slider works for images with 16-bit per channel and no crash occurs for certain 16-bit images anymore.
  • Bug Fix: Color Mask sliders did not work anymore.
  • Bug Fix: Contrast slider was not shown at start up even if check box was active
  • Bug Fix: Wrong cursor was sometimes used for the split view tool
  • Bug Fix: Reset now activates the Preview check box
  • Standalone Bug Fix: The Open and Save buttons have the correct tab order.
  • Standalone Bug Fix: When restoring the window after mininize, the preview is updated.
  • Standalone Bug Fix: Exiting with Exit item from the arrow down menu did not save the settings.
  • Standalone Bug Fix: Crash when opening images from command line and switching to second image.
  • Standalone Bug Fix: The filter settings of the first image were overwritten when opening a second one.
  • Standalone Bug Fix: Opening PNG files with 8-bit/channel did not work.

 

MacOS X Version 1.04 (January 2013)

  • Support for Photoshop Elements 11
  • Support for GraphicConverter 8.2 and higher

 

MacOS X Version 1.03 (July 2012)

  • The plugin now appears on "The Plugin Site" sub menu of the Filter menu. Previously it appeared on the PhotoWiz sub menu.
  • Bug Fix: Damaged .ini files do not produce crash anymore.
  • Bug Fix: Program error in Photoshop CS6 under OS X 10.7 is fixed
  • Bug Fix: Sat. Mask slider produces the correct effect and does not produce dot artifacts anymore.
  • Fit and 100% zoom buttons were added at the left of the zoom controls. To comply with Photoshop the - zoom button is now on the left and the + zoom button on the right.
  • Bug Fix: Entering "-" in a slider edit box previously changed preview zoom
  • The preview background is not white anymore. It is gray as the window background.
  • The last opened preset is displayed in title bar
  • Pressing the Esc key cancels the plugin
  • The blue focus rectangle now vanishes from a slider text box when you click on a slider or other control.
  • The arrow down buttons have a more modern look
  • The Reset button now activates the Preview check box
  • The number of CPUs was added to "Multi-CPU Off" check box
  • The arrow down buttons have a more modern look
  • Bug Fix: When you enlarging the window the Split View combo and the Multi check box moved away from each other.

 

Windows Standalone/Lightroom Version 1.06b (November 2011)

  • Support for newer camera raw formats
  • Support for external editing in ACDSee. The installer automatically adds it to the External Editors menu of ACDSee and ACDSee Pro.
  • No preview flicker when switching between images
  • The Colors histogram is better visible on a white tab sheet background.
  • The Prefs > Histo Zoom check box zooms 1.5 times stronger
  • The Reset button now activates the Preview check box.
  • Bug Fix: Entering a minus sign in a slider edit box does not changes the zoom anymore.
  • Bug Fix: Sat. Mask slider produces the correct effect and does not produce dot artifacts anymore.
  • Bug Fix: Color Mask sliders did not work previously.
  • Bug Fix: Contrast slider was not shown at start up even if check box was active
  • Bug Fix: Wrong cursor was sometimes used for the split view tool

 

Windows Version 1.06 (June 2011)

  • Plugin improvements:
    • Avoids artifacts when processing 16-bit/channel images in PSP X3 SP3.
    • The plugin now appear on "The Plugin Site" sub menu of the Filters menu (and not on the "PhotoWiz" sub menu anymore).
    • The window cannot be made smaller than 800x600 pixel.
    • No more black check box backgrounds in PSP X2 and X3.
  • Standalone improvements:
    • Support for newer camera raw formats
    • Opening a logged preset with "Logged Settings" works now.
    • The Log Settings function is performed after each image saving. Previously it happened on exit.
    • Batch processing does start anymore in the case of an nonexistent output folder.
    • Wrong error message texts were displayed on some occasions.
  • UI improvements:
    • Shift clicking on a tab button resets all control of the tab sheet to default values.
    • New standard title bar instead of a graphical one. The last opened preset is displayed in the title bar.
    • Smoother and faster window resizing
    • The position of the + and - zoom buttons were swapped to be conform with Photoshop.
    • New Fit and 100% zoom buttons
    • Press and hold flick under Vista/7 is deactivated
    • The arrow menus are now positioned correctly under Vista/7
    • Selected color boxes have a better visible frame
    • The Instant Slider check box is deactivated by default again.
    • When typing in the edit box of a slider the preview is updated after half a second.
    • Double clicking a slider label only updates the preview if the slider value was changed. Additionally the focus is set to the slider.
    • New label on Info tab sheet which displays image size and bit depth.
    • Help texts are now displayed when moving the mouse over labels and edit boxes of slider controls.
    • New image for the arrow down buttons.
    • The number of CPUs was added to the "Multi-CPU Off" check box on the Prefs Tab sheet.
  • Bug Fixes:
    • The settings were previously saved when canceling the plugin without changing the Prefs controls.
    • Pressing the ESC key sometimes caused the plugin to not update the preview anymore.
    • The Show Blown Highlights check box now works correctly for 16-bit/channel images.
    • Double clicking the appropriate slider label now resets the color of the color box.
    • Double clicking the slider label while the edit box was in focus did not update the edit box value.
    • No progress bar flashing anymore.
  • Installation:
    • One installation for the 32-bit and 64-bit plugins.
    • Plugin Installer now detects PSP X2 Ultimate, XnView, FixFoto, Imagelys Picture Styles as well as Photoline 32-bit on a 64-bit system.
    • The installation now creates a new folder, start menu group (and desktop icon) for each new version. This makes it easier to have multiple versions installed and allows you to remove older versions without problems after installing a newer one. Please manually remove older versions from the Start > All Programs > The Plugin Site menu.
    • The installation now supports 8 more languages and a total of 46 languages.

 

MacOS X Version 1.02 (January 2011)

  • Only one version of ContrastMaster 1.02 is now offered. This universal binary contains PowerPC 32-bit, Intel 32-bit and Intel 64-bit plugins. It works in Photoshop CS2-CS5 and Photoshop Elements 6-9.
  • Various bug fixes

 

MacOS X Version 1.02 (December 2010)

  • New 64-bit version for Photoshop CS5. Not supported anymore are Photoshop 7/CS and Photoshop Elements 1-4. But we still provide Version 1.01, which works with them as well as other old applications.
  • Scripting and smart filtering support. You can now record the ContrastMaster settings in Photoshop actions and use ContrastMaster as a smart filter in Photoshop CS3/CS4/CS5.
  • Support for images larger than 30,000 pixels in width or height. You need at least 6 GB RAM to process such images with ContrastMaster 64-bit. The Windows version does not support such large images yet.
  • Selections are shown in the preview. This means that the effect is not applied to pixels outside the selection in the preview.
  • New "Anti Sky Halo" preset file
  • To unify the UI of all PhotoWiz plugins the following changes were made:
    • New maximize and exit buttons on the title bar.
    • New Instant Preview check box on the Prefs tab sheet that makes the sliders react instantly. It is activated by default.
    • New key shortcuts: H/Space for the hand tool, I for the eyedropper and S for the splitdrag tool, + and - for zooming, R for reset.
    • Double clicking the label of a slider resets it to its default value.
    • The Reset button now deactivates the Show Blown Highlights check box.
    • On the Info tab sheet only 8-bit pixel values are shown (even for 16-bit images).
    • The "Auto Preview" check box was renamed to "Preview".
    • The "Multiple" check box was renamed to "Multi"
    • "Deactivate Multiprocessor Support" was renamed to "Multi-CPU Off".
  • The histogram is now only calculated if the Histo tab sheet is displayed. This makes the preview update faster especially when the ContrastMaster window is maximized.
  • A message is now displayed if there is not enoug memory for processing an image.
  • The demo version renders less opaque watermarks faster to the image.

 

Windows Standalone/Lightroom Version 1.05b (October 2010)

  • Support for color management, which means that embedded profiles in JPEG, TIFF and PNG files are used for displaying an image.
  • The RAW Options dialog was renamed to "Options" and now contains RAW and Color tab sheets. The Color tab sheet contains color management options.
  • A Color Space option for raw files was added to the Options dialog. You can now choose to convert raw files to sRGB, AdobeRGB or ProPhotoRGB.
  • Improved handling of profiles and meta data:
    • New label on the Info tab sheet which displays image size, bit depth and profile
    • Embedded profiles in JPEG, TIFF and PNG files are preserved when saving them as JPEG, TIFF or PNG.
    • If a JPEG, TIFF or PNG file does not have an embedded profile, but mentions sRGB as color space in the EXIF data, an sRGB profile is embedded when saving it as JPEG, TIFF or PNG.
    • A profile is embedded when saving a RAW file as JPEG, TIFF or PNG.
    • The metadata of JPEG files (EXIF, IPTC etc.) is preserved when saving the image again as JPEG.
    • XMP, IPTC and Photoshop tags are preserved when opening and saving TIFF files. This means that the EXIF information is correctly displayed in Lightroom for processed images.
    • Automatic rotation is now also supported for TIFF and PNG files.
  • New "Use Source Folder(s)" check box on the Batch dialog, which lets you save the batch processed images in the same folder as the original image.
  • New Minimize button in the title bar for hiding the main window.
  • Improved Lightroom Installer, which is more reliable and sets ProPhotoRGB as the color space for processing images.
  • The Batch button on the Batch dialog was renamed to "Start".
  • The Instant Slider check box is deactivated by default, because of user complaints.
  • Bug Fix: the Color values on the Info tab do not flicker anymore when moving the mouse over the preview.
  • Bug Fix: File dialog was sometimes displayed at start up
  • Bug Fix: No memory access error message anymore if you close an image and move the mouse over the preview with the Info tab sheet displayed.
  • Bug Fix: The preview is not redrawn unnecessarily anymore.
  • Bug Fix: Fixed the color of the labels on the Options dialog under Vista/7
  • Bug Fix: With displayed Info tab when clicking on the preview the preview did only update when moving the mouse out of the preview.
  • Bug Fix: When the demo version started up at maximum dialog size, an unnecessary message was displayed.
  • The manual was updated with explanation for the new features.

 

Windows Version 1.05 (September 2010)

  • Standalone and Lightroom versions of ContrastMaster are now available. Both can open multiple images and support images with 8-bit and 16-bit/channel.
    • The Lightroom version can be used as an external editor in Adobe Lightroom 1, 2 and 3.
    • The Standalone version is a program that runs on its own. It offers a batch processing feature and opens the following image formats: Camera RAW (including DNG), JPEG, TIFF, PSD, PNG, BMP, TGA, PCD, PCX, WMF. It can save JPEG, TIFF, PSD and PNG files.
  • Selections are shown in the preview. This means that the effect is not applied to pixels outside the selection in the preview.
  • Please move your self-saved presets to the Presets sub folder at the following location to make them appear on the arrow-down menu:
    2000/XP:
    c:\Documents and Settings\<user>\Application Data\ThePluginSite\ContrastMaster\
    Vista/7:
    c:\Users\<user>\AppData\Roaming\ThePluginSite\ContrastMaster\
    To avoids write permission conflicts the .ini, preset and log files are now saved in this folder.
  • To unify the UI of all PhotoWiz plugins the following changes were made:
    • New maximize and exit buttons on the title bar. When maximizing the window the task bar is respected. When clicking the maximize button again the normal window size correctly is restored. Double clicking the titlebar logo does not maximize the window anymore.
    • New Instant Preview check box that makes the sliders react instantly. It is activated by default. No cursor flicker anymore when moving sliders with Instant Preview activated.
    • New key shortcuts: H/Space for the hand tool, M for the sample area tool, I for the eyedropper and S for the splitdrag tool, + and - for zooming, R for reset. If the input focus is on an edit or combo box, you need to additionally hold down the Alt key to make the shortcut work.
    • Double clicking the label of a slider resets it to its default value.
    • No cursor flicker anymore when moving sliders with Instant Preview activated.
    • The Reset button now deactivates the Show Blown Highlights check box.
    • On the Info tab sheet only 8-bit pixel values are shown (even for 16-bit images).
    • Under Vista and 7 the height of the sliders is slightly larger to avoid cuting off the arrows buttons.
    • The "Auto Preview" check box was renamed to "Preview".
    • The "Multiple" check box was renamed to "Multi"
    • "Deactivate Multiprocessor Support" was renamed to "Multi-CPU Off".
  • If you change something on the Prefs tab sheet and press Cancel, all settings are saved. Previously you needed to press OK to save changes on the Prefs tab sheet, which meant that you would need to apply the effect to the image even if you did not want that.
  • The rendering time is measured more accurately.
  • Bug Fix: Deinstalling the demo version after the full version was already installed, causes no problems for the full version anymore.
  • All files are now installed in the "The Plugin Site" sub folder of the Program Files folder by default. Additionally "The Plugin Site" sub menu of the Start menu is now used for installation items.
  • Support for silent installation: If you run the installer with the /silent or /verysilent command line parameter, the installation will run automatically and require no click. Plugin Installer will then automatically install the plugin in every supported application that it can find.
  • Plugin Installer supports more applications, e.g. Sagelight and Fireworks CS2 to CS5, and displays less options during installation.

 

MacOS X Version 1.01 (May 2010)
  • This is only an installer update. The installer now detects the plugin folders of Photoshop and Photoshop Elements and offers these as installation options.

 

MacOS X Version 1.01 (January 2010)

  • A Universal Binary version is now available that works with PowerPC as well as Intel processors in Photoshop CS2, CS3 and CS4. There is also a PowerPC version for Photoshop 7, CS and other old applications.
  • The ini files are now placed in a folder (at /Users/<user name>/Library/Preferences/PhotoWiz/) that always has write permissions. This avoids reoccuring error messages and lost settings. Different settings are stored for different versions of Photoshop.
  • Bug Fix: The default values of the Strength and Variations from the Dynamic tab sheet are not set correctly when running ContrastMaster for the first time.

 

Windows Version 1.04 (December 2009)
  • The histogram is now only calculated if the Histo tab sheet is displayed. This makes the preview update faster especially when the ContrastMaster window is maximized.
  • The dialog layout was brought in line with the other PhotoWiz products: The default window width is now 800 instead of 806 pixel. Aditionally the controls were moved by a few pixels.
  • New sizing grip in the right bottom corner.
  • Bug Fix: A crash (e.g. when resizing the window) does not occur anymore.
  • Bug Fix: Opening a preset from the menu list disabled the Open Preset and Save Preset options
  • Bug Fix: Occasional mess-up of the controls should be fixed now.
  • Bug Fix: The HTML manual now displays correctly for the 64-bit version

 

Windows Version 1.03 (October 2009)

  • A 64bit version of ContrastMaster is available. It can be used with the 64bit version of Photoshop CS4.
  • The plugin file size was reduced to 60% of the previous version.
  • Plugin Installer now supports Photoshop Elements 8.
  • The demo version renders less opaque watermarks faster to the image.

 

Windows Version 1.02 (January 2009)

  • ContrastMaster now supports scripting. So you can now record its settings in actions/scripts in Photoshop, Paint Shop Pro and Debabelizer. You can also use ContrastMaster as a smart filter in Photoshop CS3/CS4. (Scripting does not work in Fireworks yet. You can use ContrastMaster as a live effect in Fireworks, but it will display the dialog everytime it is called, so it is quite inconvenient. Cloak Mode was not removed yet, because it can still be of use, e.g. in Fireworks and other applications, that do not support scripting. If Cloak Mode is activated, Contrastmaster ignores any settings received through scripting.)
  • The Logged Settings feature did not work in Cloak Mode previously.
  • The Batch Processing page in the manual was updated.
  • New "Anti Sky Halo" preset file
  • The installer now supports a total of 38 languages. Plugin Installer also supports localized versions of Photoshop CS2 and CS3 (German, French, Spanish, Italian, Dutch, Portuguese, Swedish, Finnish, Norwegian, Danish) and several new applications, e.g. Photobie Design Studio and DeBabelizer Pro 6.1.

 

MacOS X Version 1.0 (December 2008)

  • First MacOS X release based on the Windows Version 1.01.
  • There are three versions included in the product:
    • Standard PowerPC (for various applications on PowerPC-Macs)
    • CS2 PowerPC (for CS2/CS3/CS4 applications on PowerPC-Macs, e.g. Photoshop CS2, Photoshop CS3, Photoshop CS4, Illustrator CS2, ImageReady CS2 )
    • CS3 Intel (for Photoshop CS3/CS4 and Photoshop Elements 6 on Intel-Macs)
  • The Standard version installs by default into Photoshop 7 and the other two version now install by default to Photoshop CS4. If you want to install the plugin into another Photoshop version or another application, you need to manually choose the appropriate plugin folder during installation.

 

Windows Version 1.01 (September 2008)

  • ContrastMaster was localized to German language. You can switch between languages on the Prefs tab sheet. The manual is still only available in English language.
  • The interactive English help texts were updated.
  • The Speedup check box is now activated by default. Deactivating it may produce better results for some images, but it will also mean a much longer rendering time for print-size images after pressing OK.
  • Bug Fix: The Stretch slider previously produced artifacts and even a crash at certain settings and with certain images. For underexposed 16 bit images it even produced a totally black result.
  • Bug Fix: The Speedup check box produced a crash for small panoramic images.
  • Bug Fix: The Equalize slider produced black areas for images larger than 8 Megapixel.
  • Bug Fix: Sometimes low values of the Stretch slider produced a too dark result after pressing OK.
  • Bug Fix: The hand icon and histogram now use the correct background color.
  • The Plugin Installer was updated and supports four new compatible applications (PhotoFiltre Studio, Zoner PhotoStudio, PhotoPerfect and HeliconFilter). It now correctly installs plugins into the German version of Photoshop CS2 and CS3.

 

Windows Version 1.0 (August 2008)

  • First Release

 

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