{ "version": "https://jsonfeed.org/version/1", "title": "News from Flying Meat", "home_page_url": "http://flyingmeat.com/blog/", "feed_url": "http://flyingmeat.com/blog/feed.json", "description": "News from your friends at Flying Meat.", "author": { "name": "Gus Mueller" }, "items": [ { "id": "http://flyingmeat.com/blog/archives/2022/8/a_geeky_filter_for_acorn_arriving_in_7.3.html", "title": "A Geeky Filter for Acorn Arriving in 7.3", "content_html": "
I've started working on Acorn 7.3, and for some reason I got the itch to add a custom convolution filter to it. I've been thinking about adding one for years, and have had some requests for it as well, but it's a bit advanced and maybe not that necessary? But I really wanted it for some reason and it's not a UI change - it's just a filter that's going to be hiding out among the others so you'll never see it unless you want to.
\nIf you want to play along you can do so by grabbing the 7.3 beta from Acorn's latest builds page. The filter is named "Custom Filter" (because that's what Photoshop named its equivalent, and I'm not going to go around renaming stuff just because) and you can find it under the Filter ▸ Misc menu.
\nThe above image is what it looks like when you first add the filter (and you can click on it to view it larger). You'll see a 5 x 5 grid of numbers, with a 1 smack dab in the middle. This is known as the "identity" convolution, which does nothing but let the pixels through unmodified. By the way, I found this painting of a whimsical deer in a short tunnel while recently camping at Larrabee State Park.
\nNext up I've changed the numbers in the convolution matrix a bit, and all of a sudden the image gets sharper (more noticeable in the larger version). You can also create little blurs by altering the kernel as well (and Acorn comes with some presets for this if you want to play with it).
\nYou can also use convolution kernels for detecting edges.
\nAs well as embossing and making sobel filters.
\nYou can also get a little creative with it by plugging in numbers to see what happens.
\nWikipedia has a page on image kernels which goes into detail about what's really going on, and a Google search yields lots more information as well.
\nThe bias field can be used to add to each cell, and the scale value will divide everything by the amount input. For instance, if you're going to apply a 5 x 5 Gaussian blur to this, you'll want to divide everything by 273 (at least with the preset I've added). As long as everything adds up between 0 and 1, you'll be good.
\n", "date_published": "2022-08-01T16:13:41-07:00", "url": "http://flyingmeat.com/blog/archives/2022/8/a_geeky_filter_for_acorn_arriving_in_7.3.html" }, { "id": "http://flyingmeat.com/blog/archives/2022/8/back_to_school_sale.html", "title": "Back to School Sale", "content_html": "We're rolling our 20th Anniversary sale* into a back to school sale. So while it's not as steep a discount as before, you can still pick up our apps at a low price for a while.
\nBut this time around we've brought bundling back. So you can purchase multiple copies of Acorn with a bigger discount, or mix and match by buying Acorn + Retrobatch, and save even more money on both apps.
\n* Someone failed to write about Flying Meat's 20th Anniversary on the actual Flying Meat web site. This is a criminal act, and the offender has been sacked.
\n", "date_published": "2022-08-19T18:21:52-07:00", "url": "http://flyingmeat.com/blog/archives/2022/8/back_to_school_sale.html" }, { "id": "http://flyingmeat.com/blog/archives/2023/1/the_flying_meat_inflation_act_of_2023_super_sale.html", "title": "The Flying Meat Inflation Act of 2023 Super Sale", "content_html": "Inflation has been getting me down lately, and I know it has for a lot of other folks as well. So, after a quick staff meeting* and unanimous vote, it has been decided to shave $10 USD off Acorn and Retrobatch's price for a little while. That's like, 25% off for Acorn!
\nHow long will this sale go on? I'm not sure yet, but I'll be sure to call another hands on meeting should any more important decisions need to be made.
\n* Flying Meat is still just me, with a little help from Kirstin now and again.
\n", "date_published": "2023-01-30T13:21:43-08:00", "url": "http://flyingmeat.com/blog/archives/2023/1/the_flying_meat_inflation_act_of_2023_super_sale.html" }, { "id": "http://flyingmeat.com/blog/archives/2023/4/acorn_7.4_is_out.html", "title": "Acorn 7.4 Is Out", "content_html": "A new update to Acorn is out, version 7.4. I've added clone tool improvements, you can now assign a corner radius to bézier curves and star shapes, the color picker now allows you to use float values for the RGB values (so you can get super, super accurate with your colors), and some new command bar actions and AppleScript abilities. There's more as usual, and you can check the full release notes for the details.
\nWhile working on Acorn 7.4 I kept on glancing at the version number and wondering why it felt so… familiar and right to me? And then it eventually hit me — I was born in '74. So I really like this version for that reason alone. I think any future big features will be stuffed under the 7.4.x number instead of a 7.5, just so I can keep the '74 around longer. I mean, why not? It's my app and I can do that.
\n", "date_published": "2023-04-28T10:36:30-07:00", "url": "http://flyingmeat.com/blog/archives/2023/4/acorn_7.4_is_out.html" }, { "id": "http://flyingmeat.com/blog/archives/2023/5/quick_tip_for_stroking_selections.html", "title": "Quick Tip for Stroking Selections in Acorn 7", "content_html": "This came up today in response to a support question, and it's a neat trick that I think more folks should know about: In Acorn 7 you can use the Selection ▸ Make Shape from Selection menu item to convert the current selection into a shape, which you can then add a stroke to, or fill, or do whatever you want. You can even add or subtract from the selection using the various keyboard modifiers and make complex shapes from it.
\nThe one exception to this is that it won't work with the bitmap selection tools like magic wand, quick mask, and "Make Selection from Layer". (That'll destroy the fancy math Acorn uses to keep the selection vectors in memory).
\nHave fun!
\n", "date_published": "2023-05-02T10:02:28-07:00", "url": "http://flyingmeat.com/blog/archives/2023/5/quick_tip_for_stroking_selections.html" }, { "id": "http://flyingmeat.com/blog/archives/2023/5/acorn_7.4.2_is_out.html", "title": "Acorn 7.4.2 Is Out", "content_html": "gus@srv:~/Projects/acorn7/.\n$ ./bin/pxbuild.sh -e 7.4.2
That's how a new build of Acorn gets pushed up (mostly). Which means Acorn 7.4.2 is out and available via the Acorn ▸ Check for Updates… menu item, or your local Mac App Store. And I'm feeling slightly lazy so I'm just going to copy and paste the release notes for you:
\nNext up: Acorn 7.4.3 obviously. (And don't worry Retrobatch folks - I've got stuff coming for you as well).
\n", "date_published": "2023-05-08T14:03:41-07:00", "url": "http://flyingmeat.com/blog/archives/2023/5/acorn_7.4.2_is_out.html" }, { "id": "http://flyingmeat.com/blog/archives/2023/5/quick_tip_for_cropping_a_single_layer.html", "title": "A Quick Tip for Cropping a Single Layer", "content_html": "Here's a neat little trick you can use in Acorn 7 and later. If you have a single layer you'd like to crop without changing the size of the image (for whatever reason - I know you have one), you can use the crop tool like you normally would, and when holding down the option key when you're ready to make your crop, the "Crop Image" button in the palette will change it's text to "Crop Layer". Clicking on it will trim your layer of unnecessary pixels. You can also double click on the canvas with the option key down and Acorn will crop the current layer only.
\nYou can of course get the same effect using the select tool, using the Select ▸ Inverse menu item, and then pressing the delete key. But our minds all work a little different so it's nice to have multiple ways of doing something.
\n", "date_published": "2023-05-19T09:35:56-07:00", "url": "http://flyingmeat.com/blog/archives/2023/5/quick_tip_for_cropping_a_single_layer.html" }, { "id": "http://flyingmeat.com/blog/archives/2023/9/acorn_7.4.3_released.html", "title": "Acorn 7.4.3 Released", "content_html": "Acorn 7.4.3 is out, and it's a free update for anyone with an Acorn 7 license.
\nThis release is mostly about bug fixes, but I snuck in a couple of little things, one of which has been asked for a bunch of times over the years: the ability to know the number of pixels you've got in a selection. The count shows up in the Selection palette right below the width and height fields.
\nThere's also a new "New Auto Level / Straighten" command, layered screenshot improvements, and a couple more things. You can read the gory details in the full release notes.
\nOne more super geeky thing I've added is a JavaScript Console:
\nThis tool is really meant for folks developing plugins in Acorn, and it is only accessible from the Command Bar, but a part of me absolutely loves pointing out little things like this. I was just chatting with Brent Simmons the other day at Xcoders how you can't really spelunk in apps any more because of all the restrictions that are (justifiably) put on recent MacOS releases. While a console isn't exactly a spelunking tool, I still think it's kind of cool and fun and maybe someone will discover it accidently and that will inspire them to do stupid and entertaining things like we used to do back in the 10.x days.
\nAnyway, here's a picture of some groovy flowers out of the 1970s, because I'm still stuck on the ’74 theme for recent Acorn releases.
\nIn case you're not aware, Retrobatch is a node based batch image processor, which means you can mix, match, and combine different operations together to make the perfect workflow. It's kind of neat. And version 2 is even neater.
\nHere's the quick stats for the impatient:
\nRetrobatch 2 requires MacOS 12 or later and it runs on Apple Silicon or Intel. It comes in 2.5 flavors:
\nThis is the first time Retrobatch has been on the App Store, so this is … slightly exciting? We'll see what happens. It's also nice being able to offer upgrade pricing on my own store again without feeling like I'm penalizing App Store folks.
\nThe full release notes are available, but here's what I think are the coolest features:
\nThe new documentation has more samples than ever. There are so many things you can do with Retrobatch, and I really need to start showing those things off.
\nI've also started a little "Technotes" section where I hope to expand on little things in Retrobatch which are important to know about, but don't necessarily fit in the greater documentation.
\nRetrobatch is obviously not Flying Meat's most important app (Acorn would fill that role), but I really do like working on it and there's a bunch more ideas that I want to implement. I feel like Retrobatch is an app that the Mac needs, and it makes me incredibly happy to read all the nice letters I get from folks when they figure out how to use it in their daily work.
\nFive years after Retrobatch 1 shipped, I'm happy to see version 2 out in the world. And I can't wait to see what folks are going to do with it.
\n", "date_published": "2023-11-07T14:12:39-08:00", "url": "http://flyingmeat.com/blog/archives/2023/11/retrobatch_2.html" }, { "id": "http://flyingmeat.com/blog/archives/2024/2/acorn_7.4.4_released.html", "title": "Acorn 7.4.4 Released", "content_html": "Acorn 7.4.4 is out, and it's a free update for anyone with an Acorn 7 license.
\nAs previously mentioned, I'm not incrementing Acorn past the 7.4 number ('74 was a good year for me). But that doesn't mean I'm not adding new features, and this release has some. Here are some highlights straight from the release notes:
\nSuper Resolution ML resizing. This new option in the Image ▸ Resize Image… menu item lets you increase the size of your image up to 4x using Machine Learning. Or is it AI now? I don't know and don't care, but it's pretty awesome! It packs a ton of crazy statistics and math into a simple little dropdown menu. Give it a shot for your photos, you won't be disappointed. (Super Resolution is for MacOS 12 or later only).
\nStroke Selections! Finally. You can now perform this long requested feature via the Select menu, and even works with Magic Wand selections (MacOS 11 or later only). Change your stroke size, blending, anti-alias or not, and even add a fill.
\nYou can now convert Magic Wand selections to shape layers. This is also super awesome! If you've got a fun outline of something that you want to convert into a shape, this is the way. (MacOS 11 or later only).
\nNew "Simple Film Grain" filter, which will add a grainy overlay to your image. Just like Grandpa's photos used to have.
\nAnd of course, I have squashed some bugs as well, and you can read about those in the full release notes.
\nRetrobatch has been getting most of my attention lately (the upcoming 2.1 release includes LUT support!) but working on Acorn always brings joy, and I have lots more fun things planned for in the future.
\n