What's new in Kaleider Screensaver 5.7.0
Dec 2, 2023
- Minor fixes and improvements.
New in Kaleider Screensaver 5.4.5 (Feb 4, 2021)
- Fixed crashes with Room Options.
New in Kaleider Screensaver 5.4.0 (Feb 10, 2020)
- Quality Control. New Mapping feature. Pattern Shift Mode.
New in Kaleider Screensaver 5.3.2 (Jan 7, 2019)
- A few fixes and minor improvements.
New in Kaleider Screensaver 5.3 (Aug 17, 2018)
- The Kaleider Configuration screen allows specification of which effects are included and how often they are rendered. In addition to Random Effects, Scripted Sequences can also be included. The source of images that effects are based upon can be set to an Image Directory or the Image Gallery, which is a collection of image files that can be displayed with a specified sequence and frequency.
- Wandering can be activated to put rendered effects into continuous motion. Rooms can be invoked to display effects in 3D perspectives, optionally with automated Roaming movements. Masking shows rendered patterns overlaid with a static background color or image (perhaps as a Mandala). Non-flat, curved Surfaces and Animated Colors can also be randomly activated.
- Kaleider effects can be accompanied by music according to Audio Options. The Audio Source can be either an Audio Directory containing MP3, MIDI, etc. format files or an Audio CD.
- You can create and save multiple Configuration Files with customized settings, and Image Galleries composed of your own photos.
New in Kaleider Screensaver 5.2.2 (Apr 19, 2018)
- Several fixes and improvements.
- Built with a new compiler.
New in Kaleider Screensaver 5.2 (Sep 9, 2017)
- Made more usable with high-resolution screens. Several other improvements and fixes.
New in Kaleider Screensaver 5.1.3 (Mar 22, 2017)
- Although no major new features were added with Kaleider 5.1.3, it does include some fairly important fixes and improvements. Most noticeable perhaps is that the Volume sliders on the Audio Player, Video Player and Movie Controls have been replaced by sliders that indicate play progress and which allow adjustment of the progress. Also, keyboard commands have been added for controlling the Audio Player
New in Kaleider Screensaver 5.1.1 (Jul 28, 2016)
- Several fixes and minor improvements.
New in Kaleider Screensaver 5.1 (Apr 29, 2016)
- Improved random effects
- Many other improvements
New in Kaleider Screensaver 5.0.3 (Mar 6, 2015)
- When capturing a Video, the current Video Capture Time can be displayed in the small Info Box at the bottom-right of the screen (for a Still Image Files Sequence capture, the count of saved images is also shown). It's also possible to automatically stop a Video Capture after a specified amount of time. Parameters have been added to the Video Options screen to control these options. Several other improvements and fixes.
New in Kaleider Screensaver 5.0.2 (Dec 4, 2014)
- Kaleider 5.0.2 is a fix version, mostly intended to correct glitches with Remake Scripts and the Upscaling process.
New in Kaleider Screensaver 5.0 (Sep 5, 2014)
- Remake Scripts:
- Now, when a Kaleider generated image is saved, an option is available to also save a Remake Script, which makes it possible to easily recreate the saved image. Save Options The Save As dialog includes options for whether and where a Remake Script should be saved. Defaults for those options can be set through the Save /Quick Save Options screen. A Remake Script can later be loaded just as any other Kaleider Script, and then played to recreate the saved image, and just as any other Script, it can be modified. It's also possible to save only a Remake Script without actually saving the rendered image.
- Mirror Transforms:
- The Mirroring feature of Kaleider has been expanded with options to apply various Mirror Transforms, Mirror Transforms which can alter the reflection properties of Mirrors. Any combination of Scale, Wrinkle, Zigzag and/or Curl Mirror Transforms can be specified for each Mirror, along with their associated parameters. The number of possible variations is truly vast (though some may be hideously ugly!). Since image points might 'bounce' between Mirrors multiple times before finding a pixel on the source image, the distortions due to Mirror Transforms can be compounded, often resulting in surprising, even bewildering effects. L-L Side Wedge Diamond Mirror with Scale Mirror Transform Left Corner Wedge Diamond Mirror with Curl Mirror Transform When animated by manual Tile Shifting or automated Wandering motion, the moving image fragments seem to follow the mangled contortions, causing flowing, squirming, sometimes almost organic appearing progressions.
- With some of the more extreme distortions, the final appearance of an image might be greatly improved by using the Improve Quality function (the button) to reduce pixelation. The Mirrors tab of the Automatic Effects Configuration screen provides options to specify whether or not Mirror Transforms should be included during Automatic Effects or when Random Effects are performed.
- Action Pacing/Magnitude:
- Action Pacing/Magnitude The new Action Pacing/Magnitude submenu provides controls to adjust the relative speed of motion and action events, including Wandering, Room Roaming and Animate Colors. The Action Pacing slider determines the timing of actions, essentially the number of events per second, similar to a 'frame rate'. Higher values result in faster action. Action Magnitude specifies the relative size of each action. For example, with automated Wandering motion, a higher Action Magnitude value would cause larger movements with each step. Ideally, to make motions appear as smooth as possible, the Action Magnitude should be set fairly low -- large values will tend to create jerky, jumpy movements. Then the Action Pacing can be adjusted according to your preference for frenetic or sedate action.
- The actual timing of events is also somewhat dependent on the power of your computer and on which Kaleider features are active. For instance, when a non-flat Surface is enabled, Wandering motion will tend to be a bit more sluggish. These controls allow you to adapt the timing to the performance of your computer and your personal tastes. When using the 3D Rooms feature, Motion Velocity and Rotation Speed values can also be set in the Rooms Options screen to further refine the timing of Roaming movements.
- Room Roaming Control:
- Roaming Popup Menu Automated Roaming motion within Rooms can now be somewhat controlled. The Roam button can be right-clicked to access a popup menu of Roaming options. A Roaming Pattern can be selected from among those available for the current Room. Options for Observer Motion, Bubbles Motion and/or Bubbles Spin can be toggled off or on. For certain Rooms, it's also possible to choose whether or not Rotations should be activated.
New in Kaleider Screensaver 4.9 (Jul 14, 2012)
- Re-engineered Code => The Kaleider program code has been entirely revamped to utilize the excellent Ultimate++ (U++) application development framework. U++ is a fantastic set of open-source libraries and tools (BSD license), created by an international team of brilliant developers. Further information and download links are available at http://www.ultimatepp.org/. Although the interface has been totally redesigned, existing customers should not notice drastic changes. Hopefully, the screen elements will appear slightly cleaner and somewhat more intuitive. As part of the conversion, all of the program code has been re-examined and in some cases rewritten, which should result in enhanced efficiency and reliability. It has also been built with a new C++ compiler, which will make it possible in the future to create a 64-bit version of Kaleider (hopefully with the next version).
- Cone and Spike Funnels => These new Funnels are extremely versatile, with a vast number of possible parameter variations. They are both based upon wedge shaped objects which can be adjusted and oriented. The wedges radiate around a central point, and a defined outer area is mirrored recursively inward, becoming progressively smaller. With a Cone Funnel , the outer reflected portion can be curved to varying degrees, either outward or inward, or it can be flat. A single Base Cone is used to define the characteristics of the effect. The width of the Base Cone can be adjusted, which also determines the number of cones that will fit around the center, from 4 to 28. The Base Cone can also be rotated to any orientation, and boxes can be clicked to quickly align it to the most symmetrical positions.
- A Spike Funnel operates much like a Cone Funnel except that the outer mirrored areas can be pointed, either outward or inward.
- For both Funnels, there is an option to Replicate the Base Cone or Base Spike, which causes that single Cone or Spike to be mirrored around the center to produce the other cones or spikes. Otherwise, each cone or spike will be created from its own portion of the source image, resulting in an entirely different sort of effect. As with other Funnels, the final results can often be greatly improved by rendering with Improved Quality .
- Pyramid and Carousel Rooms => Two rather elaborate new Rooms are now available. The Pyramid Room is a hollow structure constructed of steps that are tiled with Kaleider patterns, perhaps built by a demented Mayan king or a flamboyant pharoah. It can also be accompanied by patterned Bubbles of various sizes, randomly floating inside and outside. Automated Roaming might carry you around and upward within the Pyramid until you break through the top step, then down again to the floor. Or, you might orbit around the outside, while progressing upward and downward, allowing you to appreciate many perspectives.
- The Carousel Room is round, with a domed ceiling. The patterns on the circular wall, ceiling and floor are alternately shaded to provide an enhanced perception of depth. With Roaming motion, you can experience a Carousel in a variety of randomly selected modes. You might begin in the center and watch the Carousel revolve around you, while gradually rising until you emerge above the dome, look downward as it turns, then fall back down and through the floor. Or, you might travel around the inside, near the Carousel wall, either looking towards the center or looking along the curving wall. Or, perhaps you will orbit around the outside of the Carousel, while ascending until you can view the dome from above, and then descending until you see its flat bottom. Of course you can also manually navigate around Rooms via keyboard commands. By the way, new keyboard commands have been added to look upwards or look downwards (the '*' and '/' keys respectively on the numeric keypad).
- Knolls, Queaser and Wings Surfaces => Three new non-flat Surfaces have been added. The Knolls Surface is quite lumpy, which forces patterns to alternately stretch and squeeze as they conform to the gentle hills. As with other Surfaces, the results look much more interesting when automated Wandering motion is applied to the distorted patterns.
- These stationary Queaser Surface images might look fairly calm. However, when Wandering motion is active, the semi-irregular ridges of the Queaser can be somewhat disorienting, possibly even nauseating to watch.
- The Wings Surface roughly resembles spread, flapping wings -- perhaps an exotic butterfly when combined with a colorful pattern. A final Improved Quality rendering can often help make a Surface image appear smoother and less pixelated.
New in Kaleider Screensaver 4.8 (Jun 7, 2010)
- Free Screensaver:
- The fully functional Kaleider Screensaver is now freeware! The screensaver is no longer included in the main Kaleider trial download, so existing customers (and everybody else!) please download the latest version from the Kaleider Screensaver page.
- Upscaling:
- The Upscaling process has been entirely revamped to greatly improve the efficiency of memory usage. This should make it possible to render and save significantly larger images. Upscaling is also more capable now of handling the most complicated situations, such as 'compound' effects (a sequence of effects on the same image), source image color shifting, etc.
- Right Triangle Funnels:
- A new Right Triangle based Funnel has been added, along with the usual Split variation . As with other Funnels, the final results can often be greatly improved by rendering with Improved Quality .
- Pattern Areas:
- A Pattern can optionally be confined to a specified portion of the window display so that any rendered effects will appear only within that area. (The full window is still used to display source images.) For example, the current Pattern Area might be set to a square, framed by black (or some other color). Masks can be applied within a Pattern Area, a round Mandala within a square Pattern Area for instance. Options are available to Save and Copy only the current Pattern Area (rather than the full window). The Pattern Area screen provides options for defining the dimensions, position and functionality of the current Pattern Area.
- Minimized Buttons:
- The effect buttons on the Kaleider Tools panel can be 'collapsed' so that only the currently active effect buttons appear under the Kaleids, Mirrors and Funnels labels. Those labels can be clicked to toggle the collapsed/expanded appearance of the buttons. When collapsed, the arrow button can be clicked to show the full panel of buttons off to the side so that a different effect can be selected. This option is meant to better accomodate people who use small screens or who prefer to resize the Kaleider window to a small area. It perhaps makes it more practical to increase the Interface Scale (in Appearance Options) so that larger text and buttons are displayed. It also provides more space for possible added effects in the future. The effect panels will be automatically collapsed when the window is too small to show them in expanded mode. People with large enough screens might well prefer to continue using the original, expanded style.
- Animate Colors: The Animate Colors feature has been greatly expanded and enhanced. Now there are 5 Colorize Methods: Garish (essentially the original method), Iridescent, Neonic, Opalescent and Contusive. The Cycle Type parameter can be set to Switch Colors or Forward/Reverse. The Animate Colors Options screen has been redesigned to allow interactive experimentation, so that the results of parameter adjustments can be reflected on the main screen in real-time. The current Color Step can be adjusted via a slider (the slider can also be moved with the Arrow keys or the mouse wheel). Animate Colors Options can be conveniently accessed by right-clicking the Colors button.
- The Automatic Effects Configuration screen has been revised to add a Colors tab, replacing the old on/off Animate Colors option, making it possible to randomly activate Animate Colors based on a frequency percentage (instead of just always on or always off).
- Lost Effects:
- Since the Virtually Tile Source Image option was added several versions ago, it has been very easy to shift an effect tile to a location 'outside of the window' without realizing it -- the program would just make the necessary calculations to retrieve pixels as if the source image were infinitely, seamlessly tiled. But then if Remake (or the Z key) was used to redisplay the effect outline at its current location, the outline would not be visible, seemingly lost. Prior to this version, to avoid such awkward, confusing situations, the program would force the effect back onto the screen so that the effect outline would be visible. Unfortunately, that would cause the shifted-to position to be lost, and the effect would not be recreated exactly as before. With Kaleider 4.8, a message will be displayed instead to indicate that the effect is outside of the window. The position can then be adjusted if desired by using the Effect Controls, or a box can be clicked to re-position the effect outline to the center of the screen -- or it's also fine to just re-render the effect at its current, off-screen location.
- Quite a few miscellaneous enhancements and fixes were made with Kaleider 4.8. Here are some of the most notable:
- The rendering algorithms for some of the 3D Mirrors have been improved, especially for Spherical and Ellipsoidal Mirrors. Upscaling should be more accurate for all 3D Mirrors.
- The timing for video captures should be more accurate when the Automatically Adjust Capture Timing option is set. An option has been added to the Video Options screen for Capture Pattern Area Only.
- All of the Open and Save Dialogs for images and other files have been updated to newer, more capable styles.
- If an ICC Color Profile is stored within a source image file, then that information will now be retained with any saved Kaleider generated images that were derived from that source image (for JPG, TIFF, PNG and PSD image formats). Also, the Save / Quick Save Options screen includes a new option to similarly copy and save EXIF data from original source images (again applying to JPG, TIFF, PNG and PSD formats). The default Save Directory can now automatically be set to the last folder saved to.
- The Scripting feature has been enhanced to better perform a 'snapshot' capture of the actions needed to recreate the currently displayed effect. Just press the Script Rec button twice to turn Script Recording on and off. That would immediately capture the source image used and the effect (or effects) applied, along with the position, size, rotation, scaling, color shifting, etc. Room, Mask and Surface status would also be captured. That Recorded Sequence could then be saved as a Script, which could later be played to reproduce the same effect. A digital artist, for example, might use this capability after an interesting image has been created to store a record of the actions needed to recreate that image. Potentially, the Script Control and Editing function could then be used to tweak parameter values, or even render with different source images.
New in Kaleider Screensaver 4.1 (Dec 5, 2006)
- Random Tile Zooming,
- Dual and Quad View 3D Rooms
New in Kaleider Screensaver 4.0 (Mar 18, 2006)
- New Sphere, Torus and Pipe 3D Rooms, Scripted Sequences can be played, random music