Softpedia >Windows >System >System Miscellaneous >AlienFx Tools >  Changelog

AlienFx Tools Changelog

What's new in AlienFx Tools 8.6.1

Apr 22, 2024
  • All tools:
  • Bug fixed: non-terminated string can be loaded from registry, providing incorrect string value (ghost chars at the end).
  • All fan-control GUI tools:
  • Bug fixed: Incorrect power mode can be selected in some cases
  • AlienFX-GUI:
  • MS fix screen dimming support (was not work for years). Now, GUI support screen dimming (lights will be dimmed as well) in case "Follow screen state" enabled into Options tab.

New in AlienFx Tools 8.6.0.1 (Mar 12, 2024)

  • Changes into this release:
  • All fan-control GUI tools:
  • Tray icon tooltip changed: Fan trigger temperature (which provide current fan setting) showed near fan RPM, instead of fan boost. More informative, in general.
  • Dell LightFX/AlienFX library:
  • Better disabled (disconnected) devices handling, avoiding incorrect color set in some cases.
  • Code optimization, DLL is smaller and consume less CPU.

New in AlienFx Tools 8.6.0 (Feb 24, 2024)

  • Light control API (all light-control tools):
  • Bug fixed: Some Dell monitor uses the same chip as Alienware, so it was detected as it. This provides app hang at device initialization.
  • LightFX (Dell API emulator):
  • New: LightFX reworked to asynchronous light update with low priority.
  • Pro: Now it can not provide a lag into the game running
  • Contra: Light updates can have visible delay in case system overloaded
  • Bug fixed: LightFX trying to set power button among other lights, it leads to serious (up to 10 seconds) lag in some cases. Now power button lights excluded from set.

New in AlienFx Tools 8.5.2.2 (Dec 23, 2023)

  • Bug fixed: Application crash at start in case configuration is clean and fan control not available at the system.

New in AlienFx Tools 8.5.2.1 (Nov 25, 2023)

  • Changes into this release:
  • AlienFX-GUI:
  • New: It's now possible to reset/copy profile settings, triggers and apps at "Profiles" tab.
  • Alienware m16 autodetect profile added.
  • Bug fixed: Incorrect UI state after profile add/remove/copy/reset.

New in AlienFx Tools 8.5.2 (Oct 29, 2023)

  • New: Polling rate parameter added into GUI (into "Settings" for FX GUI). It defines how frequently temperatures and fan parameters will be scanned and altered. Can be used to decrease CPU usage (with a price of fan control precision). Default 750ms.
  • Power mode control reworked to avoid incorrect power mode set in some cases.

New in AlienFx Tools 8.5.1 (Oct 9, 2023)

  • Changes into this release:
  • All GUI tools:
  • New: Update check rework - it now waits for connection available at start, and check connection at manual check.
  • All fan control tools:
  • Bug fixed: Power mode do not set correctly for SDK V1.
  • Bug fixed: Override for messed power modes for SDK V1 (Desktop).
  • AlienFX-GUI:
  • New: Keyboard shortcuts for manual brightness control:
  • Use CTRL SHIFT + to increase current mode brightness
  • Use CTRL SHIFT - to decrease current mode brightness
  • Brightness level is set separately for full and dimmed modes
  • Dimming level in setting now reversed, so your old level can be brighter or darker, than before. Please modify it into settings
  • New: Dell G7 7590 autodetection (thanks to @fox8091).
  • Bug fixed: Lights can stay off after resume from hibernate in some cases.

New in AlienFx Tools 8.5.0 (Sep 26, 2023)

  • All light-control tools:
  • Light SDK reworked to faster light control.
  • APIv9 (new monitors) SDK experiments (but still may not work).
  • APIv8 (external keyboards) Device effects back, now safe way.
  • Bug fixed: APIv6 (Monitors) SDK was broken into the process of adding v9. Now working correctly.
  • All fan-control tools:
  • Before DSK can only handle 32 sensors into group, but latest Libre can have about 126. So, some sensor from it was not controlled and visible into UI. Now SDK can handle any count of sensors (but still limited to 256 active in group).
  • SDK now can handle if other app (f.e. AWCC) alter fan boost and will reset it back to correct.
  • Bug fixed: Boost was not restored after Max. boost check.
  • AlienFX-GUI:
  • m16 added to light autodetection. Keyboard only for this time, you need to set up tron lights manually. Don't forget to share it after!
  • Bug fixed: Connected device not refreshed after it, and its brightness does not set correctly.
  • Bug fixed: Some devices can have zero brightness after sleep.
  • Known issues:
  • For some devices, fan stuck at low RPMs after some random time - BIOS just don't reflect boost changes (but accept it). Under investigation, you can try to switch power mode (CTRL+SHIFT+1 then CTRL+SHIFT+0) to unlock it back.
  • In development:
  • Light IDs and settings import from AWCC profile (if exist) - great for initial setup.

New in AlienFx Tools 8.4.1 (Sep 7, 2023)

  • New: APIv9 (new monitors) ALPHA support. Device will be detected, but lights color will not be changed for now. Working on it.
  • Tooltip changed to provide shorter string (f.e. now effects use code "mahg" - Monitoring, Ambient, Haptics, Grids. Capital letter means effect active, non-capital - not active).
  • Mappings for Alienware 17R3 (old series from 2017) added into autodetection database.
  • Bug fixed: Application crashed as mouse points to tray icon if tooltip very long (f.e. long profile name or a lot of fans). Now it will be truncated to maximal possible tooltip length instead.

New in AlienFx Tools 8.4.0 (Aug 13, 2023)

  • New: It's now possible to run app/script/etc. at profile change:
  • Switch to "Profiles" tab and set the action name by type it or choose it using "Set" button
  • Check "run action"
  • Action will be triggered at the every profile switch
  • You can use application, script, document or shell command as an action.
  • This option is incompatible (and will be disabled) if "Only then active" selected - running action change active window, so it comes to endless loop in this case.
  • Power mode check after resume from sleep added - profile will be re-selected in case power mode changed during sleep
  • Tooltip generation changed to prevent possible exception.
  • Profile UI optimized both visual (for better understanding) and logical (for performance).
  • Bug fixed: Some profile settings (f.e. device effect) do not apply at app start/resume from sleep.

New in AlienFx Tools 8.3.0.2 (Jul 21, 2023)

  • Fan monitoring consume less CPU (performance optimization).
  • Bug fixed: Boost set to 255 if fan have no active curves (but have for other fans).
  • Bug fixed: Inactive sensor showed as active into sensor list after fan switch.

New in AlienFx Tools 8.3.0.1 (Jul 10, 2023)

  • All fan control tools:
  • New fan type detection, now detect more types (but only CPU and GPU used in UI).
  • Fan control GUI:
  • Bug fixed: Exception at tray icon tooltip generation (app crashed then to point mouse over tray icon).
  • AlienFX-Mon:
  • Fan type now visible in UI

New in AlienFx Tools 8.3.0 (Jun 16, 2023)

  • All fan control tools:
  • Device detection code reworked. New power modes will be available for some Dell G systems.
  • Bug fixed: power mode name edit result does not store correctly, making mode name edition useless.
  • AlienFX-GUI:
  • Light grid code reworked:
  • Instead of sliders, add/remove buttons added. Now you can add/remove row/column any time
  • Be careful - removing row/column will clean grid position for all lights on it!
  • Larger grid in case resize not used (all light tabs except "Devices and grids")
  • Light update priority lowered to decrease CPU usage and audio/game interference at massive light updates (f.e. effects in action).
  • Known issues:
  • In new light chips (m16, m18, etc.) functional key row can turn black after some time. Under investigation.

New in AlienFx Tools 8.2.7 (May 18, 2023)

  • Fan control GUI tools:
  • Fan control start/restart reworked to avoid BIOS bug with stuck fans (some systems have it, last one was m17R2).
  • Mode change reworked to avoid some system's BIOS bug.
  • AlienFX-GUI:
  • Profile selection logic altered for the case "Do not switch for desktop" enabled.
  • Profile selection logic altered for the case active application quits.

New in AlienFx Tools 8.2.6.7 (May 14, 2023)

  • Better desktop selection detection if option enabled in Settings
  • On some systems, lights are always off after system start after sleep/shutdown/hibernate for v4 chip (firmware update?). Application will turn it back on at resume now.

New in AlienFx Tools 8.2.6.6 (May 3, 2023)

  • Changes into this release:
  • AlienFX-GUI:
  • New tooltip generation:
  • Light mode line removed (it's visible by icon itself - bright-green alien eyes in case lights on, dark green for dimmed, black for off)
  • Effect line optional and will be only visible if effects enabled
  • "Device effects" button at "Profiles" tab will be disabled if no active device supporting device effects present into the system.
  • Bug fixed: Exception after start on some configuration (incorrect profile name for tooltip).
  • Bug fixed: Exception after pressing "Device effects" if no supported device present into the system.

New in AlienFx Tools 8.2.6.5 (Apr 27, 2023)

  • "Device effects" button at "Profiles" tab will be disabled if no active device supporting device effects present into the system.
  • Bug fixed: Exception after start on some configuration (incorrect profile name for tooltip).
  • Bug fixed: Exception after pressing "Device effects" if no supported device present into the system.
  • New tooltip generation:
  • Light mode line removed (it's visible by icon itself - bright-green alien eyes in case lights on, dark green for dimmed, black for off)
  • Effect line optional and will be only visible if effects enabled

New in AlienFx Tools 8.2.6.4 (Apr 15, 2023)

  • All light-control tools:
  • Some checks added to prevent crash if method called on not initialized device.
  • All GUI tools:
  • Bug fixed: Minor bug with tray menu operation (incorrect order, disappear unexpectedly).
  • AlienFX-GUI:
  • Zone grid calculation now uses significantly less CPU and RAM.
  • Bug fixed: Lights for disconnected devices stay in query forever (until user connect it back).
  • Bug fixed: Device effect disabled at app quit for APIv5 (notebook keyboard).
  • Bug fixed: Fan RPM is always 1 at Monitoring tab.
  • AlienFX-Mon:
  • Bug fixed: Exception after enable/disable sensor source.
  • Bug fixed: Exception/issue if not initialized value for tray sensor.

New in AlienFx Tools 8.2.6.3 (Apr 6, 2023)

  • All fan control GUI tools:
  • Lower CPU usage in case fan curve visible
  • Red dot do not follow decay state anymore, always showing proposed boost. Use status string to check real boost.
  • Bug fixed: Exception if fan was removed from the system
  • Bug fixed: Visual bug in curve points
  • Bug fixed: Incorrect current state (red dot) position in some cases
  • AlienFX-GUI:
  • Bug fixed: Exception after switch to Monitoring tab (incorrect type)
  • Known issues:
  • Application can close randomly (without exception) in low RAM condition (wave to Last of Us).

New in AlienFx Tools 8.2.6.2 (Mar 28, 2023)

  • All lights control tools:
  • SDK cleanup and standardization, all tools smaller and faster as a result.
  • Automatic name filling for device mapping structure (from hardware IDs). All tools will use it until user enter other name.
  • Bug fixed: a ton of bugs into APIv2/v3 (old notebooks) interface:
  • Critical bug providing exception at device reset in some cases
  • Incorrect color saving as default
  • Bug fixed: memory leak during some operations.
  • All fan control tools:
  • SSD temperature sensors was broken by recent Windows update. Now they back with new method.
  • Other:
  • Beginner's guide updated to clarify what users asking about frequently.

New in AlienFx Tools 8.2.6.1 (Mar 26, 2023)

  • All GUI tools:
  • Based on multiply request from users, some UI logic changed (This looks more logical, GUI tools intended to run most of the time, so accidental close is not so nice):
  • "x" button or Alt+F4 (as well as "minimize" button and top menu) will not close, but minimize tool.
  • Use "Exit" button, top menu or tray menu to quit tool instead.
  • DPTF check procedure changed:
  • DPTF check will not delay tool start for some seconds as before.
  • DPTF check disabled for AlienFan-CLI and AlienFX-Mon.
  • Bug fixed: No fan curve window tooltip if no active curve defined.
  • AlienFX-GUI:
  • Bug fixed: Tray icon can have incorrect image during application start, but used for notification in some cases. This can potentially provide issues into Windows 11.
  • AlienFX-Mon:
  • Tool now can use DPTF sensor names (if defined) for BIOS (ESIF) sensors, even if Fan sensors disabled. But can miss a point a bit.
  • Bug fixed: "-1" at tray icon for enabled, but inactive sensors in some cases.

New in AlienFx Tools 8.2.6.0 (Mar 25, 2023)

  • All light-control tools:
  • Hardware device name (provided by device itself) added into device information and will be used as default for all tools.
  • SDK optimized to decrease code/RAM amount needed. All tools smaller.
  • All fan-control GUI tools:
  • Option "Restore power mode" added to settings. In case it enabled, tools will restore power mode system have at start after quit/sleep/hibernate/restart (like before), in case it disabled tools will keep last mode set by tool (but reset boosts if Manual mode set).
  • SDK optimized to decrease code/RAM amount needed. All tools smaller.
  • AlienFX-GUI:
  • Effect zone will be set to background color at Grid Effect start/profile change, but not if effect restarted by trigger.
  • Some excessive light set situations eliminated, lowering light chip usage.
  • LightFX.dll:
  • Bug fixed: incorrect light number reported for device
  • AlienFX-CLI:
  • "Probe" command UI reworked, now can use hardware device name instead of detected type/ID's.

New in AlienFx Tools 8.2.5.2 (Mar 24, 2023)

  • Grid effect reworked:
  • Effect types clarified to fit its names. Now work a bit different, see readme
  • New effect type (Fade) added. In fact, it's named "Gradient" before, but Gradient work different way now
  • For gradient effect active action, width now doubled, so width 1 will mean 3 lights (to keep it visible)
  • "Gradient" gauge setting now fills area outside active action zone. Use "Flat" or "Gradient" type to fill inside action zone
  • Active Grid effect consume a bit less CPU
  • All text edit can now be activated not only using double click, but also pressing Enter.
  • Bug fixed: Profile name can't be edited (just ignore double click).
  • Bug fixed: Tooltip for fan curve window stop appear after application minimized or tab switched.
  • Bug fixed: Lights are stuck and effects stopped after resume from sleep in some cases (incorrect state).

New in AlienFx Tools 8.2.5.1 (Mar 22, 2023)

  • All light control tools:
  • Finally, APIv8 (external keyboards) Device Effects works 100% correctly. But UI will be reworked to support effect chains (device can make it).
  • Deprecated zone format support removed, use 8.2.5 to convert old one to new one if you don't do it yet.
  • Fan-control GUI tools:
  • Red dot not showed anymore if current power mode is not Manual.
  • Potential fixes for the situation then power mode don't set/reset correctly.
  • Potential fix for the situation of fans going out of control after resume from sleep for m15/17R4/5.
  • Bug fixed: Red dot position is incorrect and don't reflect real boost.
  • A lot of fixes to improve overall stability.
  • AlienFX-GUI:
  • Profile/effect/light mode changes blocked, then "Devices and Grids" tab active and app not minimized.
  • "Select light from list" dialog simplified (no more function duplicates).
  • Bug fixed: Exception at Monitoring and Haptics tab if profile doesn't have zone selected.
  • Bug fixed: Incorrect grid colors if profile doesn't have zone selected.
  • A bunch of bugs fixed and other improvements into Haptics tab.
  • A lot of stability patches for uncommon situations and potential data inconsistency.
  • AlienFX-CLI:
  • Bug fixed: Exception in setglobal command if color data not provided completely (less, than 6 values). Now you can provide from 0 to 6, as designed.

New in AlienFx Tools 8.2.5 (Mar 20, 2023)

  • All fan control GUI apps:
  • Bug fixed: Potential bug with incorrect power mode set after resume from sleep in some cases.
  • Bug fixed: Power mode can not follow profile settings after profile change.
  • AlienFX-GUI:
  • Grid effect changed:
  • If "Keep background" and "Random colors" both active, background color will not be changed
  • "Star field" moved from Trigger to Type and now can be combined with any trigger (except Ambient)
  • "Speed", "Random colors" and "Circle" settings now work for "Star Field" effect. Gauge type too, but indirect.
  • Concurrency access rebuilt for app, decreasing CPU usage and decrease app size about 3%.
  • APIv8 global effects now only change then modified and at profile switch.
  • Bug fixed: Application resize itself incorrectly after tab switch on some multi-monitor and hi-res monitors.
  • Minor fixed and improvements.

New in AlienFx Tools 8.2.4 (Mar 19, 2023)

  • All light-control tools:
  • APIv8 (External keyboard) Device effect reworked:
  • It not depends on active device profile anymore, changing all profiles
  • In case you set some colors into profile, it lights will override global effect, but the rest will follow it
  • In case you define both effect and key press, key press effect background will be set into effect mode
  • Less probability to failed light set after global effect change, as well as rapid global effect change failed
  • I don't finish yet, more will come (different background for key effect, mixed effects, etc.).
  • All GUI tools:
  • Update checking optimized for better stability (no caching now).
  • AlienFX-GUI:
  • New Grid Effect - "Star Filed" (select it from Triggers). It's a kind of night sky simulation, with lights flicker into the selected zone.
  • Any star color selected randomly from color list and morph between selected color and background color
  • The morph length selected randomly
  • "Width/Length" slider define how many lights can be start at the moment - but it defines maximum amount, it can be a bit less active
  • Other settings, except global speed, ignored for now
  • Profile auto switch logic changed, now it better handle unknown applications.
  • Alienware m17R5 added into device database.
  • Effects for APIv5 (Notebook RGB keyboard) do not reset (providing cyan color) at application start/profile change anymore. Just set some lights to stop it.
  • Bug fixed: Rare crash at application start.
  • Bug fixed: Crash if Ambient effect active with Grid effect in Ambient mode.
  • Bug fixed: "Off on battery" and "Follow screen state" settings does not work correctly.

New in AlienFx Tools 8.2.3.1 (Mar 16, 2023)

  • All light-control tools:
  • Bug fixed: Incorrect device name can be used and stored in case device was detected by PnP.
  • AlienFX-GUI:
  • Bug fixed: UI not fully loaded at application start if not minimized.
  • Bug fixed: Application crash if zone have light not present into any device.
  • Bug fixed: Light info can remain in zones after deleted.

New in AlienFx Tools 8.2.3 (Mar 16, 2023)

  • All GUI tools:
  • Bug fixed: Tray icon not appear if tool run at system start after latest Windows update (they broke tray creation event!).
  • Bug fixed: Fn keys still disabled after "Keyboard shortcuts" disabled. Now stay active.
  • AleinFX-GUI:
  • Massive changes into Grid Effect logic:
  • Smooth zone loop with no color stuck or jumps
  • In case "Keep background" not enabled, last phase added with returning to background color for smooth looping
  • Flat morph effect now works correctly then "Width/Length" set to 1
  • Global effects will now reset at application start/device connected.
  • Global effects update logic changed to better reflect profile change.
  • Bug fixed: A lot of visual bugs with incorrect grid update after zone change or effect/color added.
  • Bug fixed: Incorrect name into action list or application crash after action added for zone with Power Button.
  • Bug fixed: Impossible to change Monitoring effect source (always reset to first one).
  • Bug fixed: Incorrect device ID after device detection profile applied, providing ghost devices into device list.
  • Bug fixed: Visual bug at "Devices and grids" - incorrect API version for inactive devices.
  • Known issues:
  • Rapid APIv8 (external keyboard) Global effect modification can provide device update slowdown and missing lights (not set correctly). Under investigation.

New in AlienFx Tools 8.2.2.1 (Mar 14, 2023)

  • All GUI tools:
  • Special Alienware keys (Fn+AlienFX, Fn+G-Mode) now always bind into applications, disabling "Keyboard shortcuts" will not affect this binding.
  • All fan-control tools:
  • Fan monitoring now consume significantly less CPU (power mode handling optimized).
  • Multiply bugs fixed in fan monitoring.
  • Bug fixed: Rare exception at fan profile change.
  • Bug fixed: Incorrect AWCC sensor detection provides phantom sensor with "-1" value for some systems.
  • AlienFan-GUI:
  • Bug fixed: CRITICAL: Incorrect handling of power mode keyboard shortcut provide devastating effect. It can even trash your fan profile (but there is a way to fix it!).
  • AlienFX-GUI:
  • Multiply changes and bug fixes into Profile dialog.
  • Bug fixed: Exception then adding light to new zone.
  • AlienFan-CLI:
  • It's now possible to force-set max. boost below 100 (using setover=<fan>,<boost> command. It's useful for testing or in case fan stuck in low RPM if set to 100 (hello from new G15 BIOS update).

New in AlienFx Tools 8.2.2 (Mar 13, 2023)

  • All light control tools:
  • better global effects for APIv8 (External keyboards):
  • More effect modes, especially for key press effect
  • Color mode support for global effect (it can run in 3 different modes - one-color, two-color and spectrum)
  • Effect brightness support, so now effect brightness will follow global app settings (f.e. dimming)
  • New compact zone storage format. It's incompatible with previous releases, be careful and backup configuration!
  • Various optimization and enchantments, especially for APIv4, v5, v8.
  • Fan control tools:
  • Bug fixed Boosts not reset after application quit.
  • AlienFX-GUI:
  • new Global effects support (new types and color modes, better handling). Due to storage format change, you will lose previous global effect settings from all profiles!
  • Zone calculation reworked for simplicity (faster generation) and precision. It's especially valuable for gauges.
  • Bug fixed: VERY hard to catch bug with concurrency, providing random exceptions and lost colors in set. Spend a lot of time to pinpoint it. Application size grow significantly as a result, but still below 500kb. App stable now.
  • Bug fixed: Excessive RAM/CPU usage then minimized after profile change/keyboard shortcut/tray menu operation.
  • Bug fixed: Incorrect color set as default after quit if monitoring effect active.
  • Bug fixed: Device brightness not set correctly at application start.
  • Bug fixed: Incorrect zone grid map calculation, providing incorrect colors for gradient zones.
  • Bug fixed: Incorrect settings for fan data stored into profile.
  • AlienFan-GUI:
  • Bug fixed Missed tray tooltip.
  • AlienFX-CLI:
  • New APIv8 global effect modes and color mode support.

New in AlienFx Tools 8.2.1.2 (Mar 11, 2023)

  • Changes into this release:
  • AlienFX-GUI:
  • Bug fixed: Incorrect grid redraw after zone settings change.
  • Bug fixed: Color on color selection is static, instead of follow selection.
  • Bug fixed: APIv8 (external keyboard) updates sometime miss lights (device overload).
  • Known issues:
  • APIv8 (external keyboard) global effects can not work correctly, and some types missed for key effect. I'm working on it.

New in AlienFx Tools 8.2.1.1 (Mar 10, 2023)

  • AlienFan-GUI, AlienFX-GUI:
  • Faster power/G-mode switch
  • AlienFX-GUI:
  • You can switch power/G-mode even if monitoring disabled by power save. It can also be switched at profile change.
  • Context menu changed:
  • Profile selection available even if "Profile Auto switch" active
  • Active profile name visible at "Profiles" menu point
  • Bug fixed: Memory leaks at Grid Effect start.
  • Bug fixed: Memory leaks at grid window redraw.
  • Bug fixed: Mess with effect management (seems like this provide random exceptions).
  • Bug fixed: AlienFX button (Fn+Alien) does not switch in 3 phases (on-off-dimmed), only between dimmed and off.
  • Bug fixed: Incorrect brightness set for APIv2, v3 (old notebooks) in some cases.
  • Bug fixes: Various UI visual bugs (after add/remove zone/action/color etc.).
  • AlienFX-Mon:
  • New sensors added to Windows sensor list - active charge and discharge rate for every battery into the system (in 1000mAh grade).