April 26th, 2011Several of the significant changes have their own Help file entries:
· Command Line Options
· ThumbsPlus on the Start Menu
· Troubleshooting
· ThumbsBug: Reporting Problems
· Python Scripting
There are hundreds of fixes and improvements; here are a few of the most important:
· Significant improvements and enhancements to Python scripting.
· Added several command line options for troubleshooting.
· Added several Start menu items for database repair, safe mode, opening preferences and database locations.
· Added Save button to Metadata (Properties) table.
· Added several standard layouts for main window (Window - Layout)
· Added functions for backup and restore of the database (including thumbnails in files).
· Improved movie thumbnailing speed and overall movie handling.
· Improved dialog positioning, especially when using multiple monitors.
· Menus cannot be floated now. This was causing too much confusion.
· Fixed crash when searching for files similar to an image.
· Fixed MRU keyword menu list
· Fixed problem restarting T+ after fixing compatibility mode flags.
· Fixed quick process batch from both main and view windows
· Fixed some versioning stuff (8.0 was using the 7.0 registry keys)
· Fixed "Open in Access" (now appears on menu and works for all Access versions)
· Fixed "thumbnails in files" problem (not getting database info correctly)
· Fixed display of tag decoration
· Fixed general preferences page so that it only runs admin commands when necessary.
· Fixed invalid GIF file writing
· Fixed problem with some keyboard accelerators not working.
· Fixed problem with specific startup database (Options - Preferences - Startup)
· Fixed remove wallpaper
· Fixed some problems with database repair.
· Fixed some registration code problems.
· Fixed keyboard accelerators in slide show
· Fixed upgradeserver.py for Sql Server updates.
· Improvements to logging, including reporting first-chance exceptions
· Made database indicators in status bar show more info and perform better.
· Metadata editor functional, including saving and loading sets.
· Sort folders and files names using StrCmpLogicalW to match Windows sorting
· Upgrade to python 2.7.1
· Additional metadata editor fixes
· Allow ThumbsBug to run by itself (in addition to when T+ crashes).
· Avoid crash on shutdown if memory heaps not initialized
· Better icon handling
· Changed handling of not being able to open the database after repair + compact
· Eliminated problems with multiple threads handling movies simultaneously
· Export and import rewritten in python
· Fix crash when using Info pane directly to edit metadata
· Fix problem where main window could become unresponsive if any panes were floated.
· Fixed clipboard menu on main window
· Fixed crash when cancelling (or failed connect) from Database - Connect
· Fixed crash writing GIF comments
· Fixed move to/copy to menus in main and view
· Fixed saving schemes/sets
· Fixed some other crashes in obscure cases in database connect, error reporting,
· Fixed tag decoration update in view window
· Fixed view window quick batch
· Improved error reporting for database open/connect failures
· Improved checks for movie, sound file types (improves performance)
· Improved error reporting for unhandled exceptions (i.e., movie threads).
· Included additional support files when submitting a problem with ThumbsBug
· Optimized database activity indicator when running over remote desktop
January 7th, 2010Additional version 8 changes include:
· Support for longer file and path names in databases which support them (400 characters).
· Tracking of which user and system made or updated each thumbnail. (A history log will be added in a future release).
· All dates and times are now stored (and handled internally) in ISO 8601 standard format for easier collation and readability. As in previous versions, dates and times are stored internally as UTC and converted to and from the user's local time zone for display and searching.
· Some important database-related information that was previously stored in the INI file is now stored in the database, preventing accidental changes by users.
· As an option, all XMP metadata (including standard EXIF fields) may be copied to the database. In databases which support it (i.e., SQL Server), this information may be directly searched by queries in SQL Server Management Studio.
· The JET database engine (Access format) will continue be supported for a the time being; however, SQL Server, MySQL, Postgres, Firebird offer larger databases, and better performance and reliability in multi-user configurations,
· SQLite3 offers improved performance for non-shared database (standalone), and does not top out at 2GB as A.ccess.
· For Access and SQLite3 databases, you can store the thumbnails in files extrernal to the database, offering near unlimited support for the number of thumbnails in even an Access (.tpdb8) database.
· Lengthened keyword size to 255 characters, with the ability to define categorical keywords, such as "AnimalDog". The keyword list will be available in tree format easier handling during assignment.
· Many changes have been made to ease future internationalization of ThumbsPlus, thus speeding localized releases.
· Python has been added to ThumbsPlus for use as a scripting language. This will enable both Cerious Software and our users to extend the capabilities without having to release new versions. More parts of ThumbsPlus will be moved to Python in the future to allow easier customization, either by ourselves or by you! Currently there is not a simple UI for adding Python routines, but one will be available in 8.1.
· Support for themes and skins. Additional panes in the main window are provided for easier keyword assignment, searching, and metadata editing. All menus, toolbars and keystrokes are now customizable. Any menu selection or list may now be placed on the toolbar.
· ThumbsPlus is now a Unicode application (16-bit characters), allowing better handinling of filename and folder display (in their native character sets).
· ThumbsPlus is being prepared for building as a 64-bit application, which will improve some issues. Unfortunately, many libraries we use are only available in 32-bit form, so we'll either need to build a work-around or wait until the vendors release updated DLLs.
· SQLite3 is now a supported database type, and it's built-in like Access, so you can create a new database directly (rather than having to worry about SQL scripts and ODBC data sources). Just use Database - New and select ThumbsPlus Database (Sqlite3 format .tpdbs) in the drop-down. Because of the way SQLite3 handles database concurreny, it is not recommended for sharing by more than a few concurrent users on either .tpdb8 (Access) or .tpdb8s (SQLite3) database formats.. In that case, please use one of the supported Client/Server databases (MS SqlServer, MySQL, Sybase, DB2, Postgres, Firebird).
· You can now convert client/server databases within ThumbsPlus. Use Database - Convert Client/Server. Make sure you convert a copy or have a backup, as the process is not reversible.
· Improved XMP/IPT/EXIP and interoperability.
· Updated the bug reporter (ThumbsBug) to create .7z archive for sending.
· Added more information to the error message when copying the template database fails.
· Fixed several display issues in Windows 7.
· Improved performance for network folders.
· Changed extensions for schemes and sets.
· Fixed several problems with printing images and catalogs.
· Set default monitor to "Same" on first run or when the number of monitors changed.
· Improved automatic keyword generation.
· Fixed the database extension and database options when creating database.
· Fixed loading ICC color profiles from JPEG files.
· Changed database row ID sizes to 64 bits on databases that support it. Converted databases will still use 32-bit IDs.
· Several database upgrade fixes.
· Implemented upgrading from several client/server databases (MySQL, Firebird, SQL Server, PostgreSQL). Note that even a successful conversion may list some SQL errors that you can ignore (I plan to suppress the display in a future build). The last output line will report whether the conversion failed.
· Fixed errors when processing XMP updates.
· Very many user interface issues have been updated and fixed. You can now customize all menus (including context menus),, toolbars, and keyboard shortcuts.
· External programs (File - Open With - Add Program) are implemented on the File menus (main window and view window), and during toolbar customization, you can drag them to the toolbar.
· Creating thumbnails with lots of automatic keywords is now considerably faster on Access (.tpdb8) and SQLite3 (.tpdb8s) databases.
· I implemented the Metadata Batch Editor (XMP/IPTC/EXIF), File - Edit Metadata.
· ThumbsPlus 8 requires a new registration code. We have emailed codes to all eligble to receive free upgrades; if you think we missed you, or if your email address has changed, please use the Code Request Form to request your code. Please be patent! we're a small company and anticipate many thousands of code requests.
· Windows 7 support.
· Proper volume matching for network drives. If you have previously thumbnailed network shares using a Version 8 beta, I would recommend creating a new database. There have been an enormous number of fixes and changes.
· The Thumbs.typ and Thumbs.flt files have been renamed to Thumbs8 because of conflicts when version 7 and version 8 were isntalled on the same computer.
· ThumbsPlus will now read ratings from the file's metadata; however, modifying the rating is not connected, you have to modify both the database rating (in the "Info" section) and the XMP rating (in the "Metadata" section). The same is true for Date Taken (original date/time). This will be fixed for improved intuitivity in a subseqpent release.
· The default display layout, menus, and toolbars have changed. If you customized prior version(s) of ThumbsPlus, you'll need to do so again in version 8.!
November 14th, 2007· SP2 is compatible with Windows 2000, XP, Vista, 2003, and Longhorn. While it may run on Windows 98 and ME, we do not do any significant testing, and fixes related to Vista are likely to conflict with Windows 98/ME
· Fixed writing of bilevel (1 bit per pixel) PNG images.
· On Vista, ThumbsPlus now copies the Thumbs.typ and Thumbs.flt files to user folders for modification.
· Users who have tried previous versions of ThumbsPlus 7 get a new evaluation period.
· Fixed a problem with automatic launching of ThumbsPlus for scanner operations.
· Several crash fixes
Fixed several installation problems that could occur on Vista or XP that could result in:
· Databases being read-only (unable to create thumbnails).
· Preferences not being saved.
· File type configuration changes not being remembered.
· Image filters being unavailable or uneditable.
· Modified the installer to fix a problem with Vista thinking the installation did not go correctly.
· Packaged the installer in a signed, manifested deployer.
· Right-clicking the tabs on the Location bar now brings up Options - Preferences - Disks & Folders.
· Additional location tree and tabs are available for My Music, My Videos, and several new shared folders on operating systems where they are supported.
· Enhancements and fixes to the context menus in Explorer (selected from Options - Preferences - General).
· Modified the installer to recognize upgrades on Vista where all files were installed to the Program Files folder.
· Fixed a problem where invalid network shares were sometimes recognized as valid folders.
· Fixed an irritating problem with extra mouse-wheel scrolling with some mice on some operating systems.
· Fixed problem where the secondary header in wizard dialog boxes was not changing to reflect the current tab on some operating systems.
· Made the default installation type "Shared database with separate settings."
· Improved appearance of main ThumbsPlus icon on XP/Vista.
· Text on the toolbar looks nicer now when anti-aliased fonts are enabled.
· Increased maximum text for catalog and contact sheet header/footer to 4000 characters (from 400).
· Program Updates now shows "ThumbsPlus" instead of "TP".
· Fixed problem where View - Enable color management was never enabled.
· Several tree performance improvements.
· Fixed so that Alt 0 (elliptical selection) didn't also set the zoom level.
· Fixed processor type display in System Info.
· Fixed crash that occurred with malformed or extremely long EXIF User Comments.
· Fixed a problem where ThumbsPlus was saving any 2-color images as grayscale JPEG even if the colors weren't gray.
· Fixed several crashes possible with multiple low-level database errors occurring simultaneously.
· Improved database error reporting.
· Fixed several additional crashes and spurious memory warnings.
· Additional minor bug fixes and aesthetic improvements.
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