Vectoraster 7 version history

Version 7.4.11 Released 2020-09-01

• Improved some warning messages.
• Adjustments to Vectoraster 8 now being released.

This will most likely be the last update of Vectoraster 7, as Vectoraster 8 has now been released.

Patternodes 3 has now also been released lostminds.com/patternodes3.

Version 7.4.10 Released 2020-08-24

• Support for the upcoming macOS 11.
• Fixed a misleading error message when entering incorrect license details to unlock the full version.

Version 7.4.9 Released 2020-07-15

• Improved support for dragging/dropping image content from other applications.
• You can no longer go into negative scaling, inverting the preview, by zooming out too far with touch pad zoom gestures.
• Fixed long delay when saving .VRaster files with millions of points.
• Fixed aborted rendering when first opening .VRaster files with millions of points.
• Fixed Little Snitch internet access policy so it now properly describes the purpose of update and license check connections.
• Better handling and error mesages in case of network errors when checking the license.
• Improved technical info and error logs for support and bug reports.

The next generation of Vectoraster is now in beta testing. If you want to know more or sign up to be a beta tester go to lostminds.com/vectoraster8

Version 7.4.8 Released 2020-05-07

• Negative Point aspect values are now allowed.
• Fixed a problem with loading files that use unavailable fonts.
• Fixed a small precision problem in the diagonal spacing of alternating raster points with the same spacing option enabled.
• Improved technical diagnostic information in the support/feedback dialogue.
• Improved connection security and handling of network problems during license syncing.

The next generation of Vectoraster is now in development. If you want to know more, take a look at lostminds.com/vectoraster8

Version 7.4.7 Released 2020-01-13

• Added/fixed support for many more image formats for source images, including photoshop psd, tga, raw and more.
• Additional license information is now available from the About window.

Version 7.4.6 Released 2019-12-30

• You can now import images from your Photos albums via the Browse dialoge (Under Media in the sidebar).
• Fixes some issues with the font selection panel for Text sources.

Version 7.4.5 Released 2019-10-16

• Fixes some precision problems when exporting thin strokes on small filled points.

Version 7.4.4 Released 2019-07-03

• Fixes a bug with the full screen preview.

Version 7.4.3 Released 2019-06-10

• Fixes a crash with changing the blur filter of a source image while the raster was generating.
• Fixes a bug where importing some high resolution source images would sometimes convert them to a lower resolution.

Version 7.4.2 Released 2019-05-29

• Index-based values You can now vary parameter based on point order, for changing the color or transformation of every other point in the raster. (Take a look at the new Alternating star raster sample file)
• Some interface fixes and adjustments.
• Improvements to mouse wheel zooming and scrolling using.
• Added link to the lost code form in license code entry interface.

Version 7.4.1 Released 2019-05-17

• Fixes a bug where Point fill and stroke color wells would be disabled.
• Updates to sample files (Available from the Help menu).

Version 7.4.0 Released 2019-05-08

• Adds new combined sources mode for all variable parameters, letting you control them with a combination of multiple sources.
• Adds a new toggle button to quickly enable/disable Raster pattern distortions without removing them.
• You can now zoom with mouse option-scroll wheel or trackpad pinch gestures.
• Improvements to interface and preview rendering.
• Apple application notarization (New Apple security requirements).
• Fixes a bug with undo/redo of some raster pattern distortion properties.
• Fixes a bug with linear gradient sources with small sizes.
• Fixes a bug in the Align raster to edges utility.

Version 7.3.8 Released 2019-03-13

• Preferences panel reorganized.
• Fixes some bugs related to changing document artboard size.
• Fixes a bug with raster distortion strengths in imported Vectoraster 6 files.
• Parameter interface layout tweaks.
• Updates to frameworks for updates, license handling and general macOS support.

Version 7.3.7 Released 2018-12-18

• The Smoothing parameter for polygon point shapes (and more) now accepts negative values, letting you make new pointy shapes.
• Improved adaptive value ranges for parameter sliders.
• New setting to toggle GPU accelerated interface rendering on/off. Default is on for retina macs.
• Fixes a bug with launching Vectoraster by double-clicking some .VRaster files.

Version 7.3.6 Released 2018-12-11

• Performance improvements, especially on macOS 10.14 and retina macs.
• Multi-scale can now also scale point stroke along with pattern and point size.
• Fixes a bug with Multiscale not scaling radial raster patterns from the center.
• The disable interface animations setting now works as intended.

Version 7.3.5 Released 2018-11-28

• New variable point fill and stroke opacity parameters.
• Improvements to display zooming.
• Improvements to Finder quicklook previews and file thumbnails.
• Fixes some interface bugs on macOS 10.14.
• Fixes a rare network full version unlocking bug.

Version 7.3.4 Released 2018-10-10

• New varied parameter functions: Sinus, Square wave and Sawtooth, with variable periods and offset.
• New varied parameter sources: Position X and Y, letting you easily vary any property based on position without needing to make a new Gradient Source.
• Improved Gradient source precision and performance.
• File loading performance improvements.
• Raster calculation stability improvements.
• Updates to license entry and trial-mode interfaces.
• Bug fixes to precision angle parameter inputs.
• Apple Hardened runtime security features.

Version 7.3.3 Released 2018-09-06

• New Custom shape point Image mode and Path mode for more options with imported point graphics.
• Improved SVG rendering support for both source images and custom shapes in image mode.
• Some bug fixes.

Version 7.3.2 Released 2018-08-09

• Improved custom shape SVG path parsing.
• Interface improvements for point color picking and source mixing.
• Support for upcoming macOS 10.14 mojave.
• Improved diagnostics for some installation and network problems.

Version 7.3.1 Released 2018-06-28

• Fixes compatibility with macOS 10.11.

Version 7.3.0 Released 2018-06-25

• Raster distortions (like randomize) can now have their strength vary based on sources.
• New Offset distortion to make use of the new possibilities with source-based distortions.
• Line rasters can now be aligned top/center/bottom.
• New double linear gradient source gradient mode.
• Varied density raster patterns now let you choose source to control the denisty.
• Randomize raster distortions can now be applied with better gradual control.
• Improvements to version checking and updating.
• Improvements to purchase/unlock dialogue.
• Various small fixes and tweaks.

Version 7.2.6 Released 2018-05-14

• Adds a new Pill point shape with variable length.
• Fixes a bug where source advanced value measurement changes wouldn't update the raster in some cases.

Version 7.2.5 Released 2018-04-19

• Improved configuration or structured and random varied density raster patterns.
• Improvements to bitmap format export (TIFF, JPG, PNG), with better print size and resolution settings that are now properly stored in the exported image files.

Version 7.2.4 Released 2018-03-27

• Stability bugfixes.

Version 7.2.3 Released 2018-03-26

• Improved SVG and EPS custom point shape importing.
• Updates to software update and version checking.

Version 7.2.2 Released 2018-01-24

• Fixes a bug where TIFF, JPEG and PNG file exports would be double resolution on retina devices.
• Improved compatibility with vector point shapes exported/copied from Sketch.

Version 7.2.1 Released 2018-01-15

• New quick full screen preview, toggle with Command-F or using the new full screen button.
• Sources visible behind the raster in Vectoraster are now also shown in the Finder file previews.
• Some bug fixes and system required updates under the hood.
• Improved support features with network diagnostics for update/unlocking problems.

Version 7.2.0 Released 2017-12-01

• New Text source type, letting you generate type source images with your choice of text, font etc to base your raster on.
• New interface icons and improved help and support tools in the Help menu.
• VRaster files now get thumbnail icons for use in Finder when saved (can be turned off in the settings).
• New setting to change the interface background color.

Version 7.1.7 Released 2017-10-11

• Improved randomization algorithm to avoid artifacts and patterning in randomized rasters with a large number of of points. There's an option to use the old random generator below the random seed setting in the document information panel.
• Changed to an SVG-based default custom shape file as EPS import has caused problems on some systems.
• Fixed a problem with compression artifacts appearing near edges when blurred sources where used for varied density raster patterns.
• Multi-threading stability improvements.

Version 7.1.6 Released 2017-07-29

• Fixes a bug where applying a blur effect to a non-square image source could skew the source.
• You can now use shift and option keys while using the scroll wheel to step 0.1 or 10 in the value fields, just like when using the arrow keys to step values up/down.
• Updated Quick Tips help/introduction.

This was initially released as 7.1.5, but that build had some stability problems and after they were fixed the next day version was re-released as 7.1.6.

Version 7.1.5 Released 2017-07-28

• Fixes a bug where applying a blur effect to a non-square image source could skew the source.
• You can now use shift and option keys while using the scroll wheel to step 0.1 or 10 in the value fields, just like when using the arrow keys to step values up/down.
• Updated Quick Tips help/introduction.

Version 7.1.4 Released 2017-07-12

• You can now quickly use the mouse scroll wheel to edit values in value fields.
• Fixes some problems with pasting in vector custom point shapes from Illustrator.
• Added new option to gradient sources to maintain the aspect of the rendered gradient when used in non-square raster artboards, instead of scaling it to fit.
• Fixes to make sure the source image size and document size dialogues show sizes in the correct length units.

Version 7.1.3 Released 2017-06-16

• Stability improvements and fixes to some issues for new users.
• Improved feedback dialogue for users who don't use apple Mail.

Version 7.1.2 Released 2017-06-02

• Improved handling of source images with transparency.
• Fixes a bug where using pdf or eps files as your source image could cause a crash.
• Some convenience improvements when dragging or pasting source images or custom point shapes into Vectoraster.
• A new user setting that when enabled removes the source image blur filter when a new source image is imported, to avoid confusion.

Version 7.1.1 Released 2017-05-31

• Stroke rendering of line rasters now properly uses the stroke color instead of fill color.
• Fixed some bugs with basing raster point colors on a source image with an applied blur effect.
• Some interface bug-fixes related to replacing the image of an existing raster source image.

Version 7.1.0 Released 2017-05-02

• You can now dynamically blur source images you base your rasters on with a nondestructive blur parameter.
• Improved multi-scale tool with new options to scale only points or pattern parameters, and to scale the raster pattern from the center to maintain symmetry.
• New raster pattern align tool to quickly align the offset and spacing of the raster to line up the points exactly with the edges or center. Available in the Raster Utilities menu.
• You can now show sources behind the raster in the preview or exports with an opacity parameter for blending.
• Updated Sparkle update code (https://sparkle-project.org)

Version 7.0.9 Released 2017-03-23

• New Text baseline pivot option in the Transformation panel, letting you make nicer text rasters with character point shapes aligned on the baseline.
• Fixes some mac OS 10.12.x (Sierra) problems

Version 7.0.8 Released 2017-03-16

• The Randomize distortion now has a 'single direction' mode, where you can randomize the points in a single direction specified by angle instead.
• The Wave distortion now has an angle parameter, letting you set an angle for the waves separate to the raster rotation.
• Some improved diagnostics and error checking code.
• Improved stability on mac OS 10.9.x

Version 7.0.7 Released 2017-03-06

• Improvements to custom vector shape parsing, including basic SVG support.
• Manual and sample files are now embedded in the application bundle, accessible via the Help menu, instead of being placed in the application folder.
• Some minor interface and stability improvements.

Version 7.0.6 Released 2017-01-27

• Added new invert and mirror options to the export dialogue, useful in some situations when producing printing screens.
• Fixed a bug where legacy files from Vectoraster 5 or earlier would not open with the correct raster size.
• Some smaller tweaks to the interface and tooltips.

Version 7.0.5 Released 2017-01-02

• The new 'Intersecting lines' raster pattern replaces the previous 'Random lines' one, letting you make line raster grids with crossing lines as well as adding controlled randomization of the lines. This also fixes some bugs with offsetting the old random lines pattern.
• New 'Spiral' raster pattern, similar to the radial raster, but with the points in a single spiraling line. Great for line rasters.
• Further improvements to parsing custom vector point shapes.
• Smaller .VRaster file sizes by compressing large embedded source images.

Version 7.0.2 Released 2016-11-11

• There's now a new 'Random seed' parameter for each document that can be found in the document info panel. Changing this changes all random values in the raster to new ones if you want to try a different randomization.
• Changed random varied density raster pattern slightly to avoid pattern striping in rasters with a lot of points.
• The point removal size limit parameter is now scaled along with the other size parameters when using the Multi-scale tool.
• Notification center message when file export completes, click it to show the new file in Finder.
• Hue adjustments parameters for fill and stroke color are now in degrees in a +/-360 range instead of +/-1.

Version 7.0.1 Released 2016-10-28

• Fixed some problems with printing directly from Vectoraster.
• Fixed some interface panel layout issues.
• Small change in compression used on embedded source images in VRaster files.

Version 7.0.0 Released 2016-10-19

Main changes and new features in Vectoraster 7

• Parametric gradient sources. In addition to using imported images as sources for your raster you can now define linear and radial gradients you can adjust in Vectoraster.
• More dynamic properties. Greatly increased the possibilities to have different point aspects, like shape, size and color, vary across the raster.
• New interface. Redesigned to be more consistent, efficient and responsive.
• Improved stroke and fill properties. Improved separate settings for point fill and stroke parameters that can be used individually or together.
• Flexible raster distortions. You can now combine multiple distortions to your raster pattern (like waves, twists or randomizations), each with improved individual control over position and scale.

More new features and changes

• Improved memory management. Using less memory for rasters with few points while also in practical terms removing the limit on allowed number of points in a raster.
• Quick copy/paste/drop integration. Quickly paste or drag and drop in images or vector graphics to use as a source image or point shape.
• Better performance. Faster multi-threaded preview rendering with less artifacts.
• Improved updating and version checking. Updates are downloaded via HTTPS for increased security, keeps sample files up to date, and give you the option to automatically download new versions.
• More help and information. Updated full manual as well as integrated tool-tips, sample files and an all new "Quick tips" panel in the application to help you get started.
• New file format. New more flexible format for saved VRaster files, with support for opening legacy .VRaster files saved with previous versions.