Photo Viewer and Editor Hub

Overview

A comprehensive image editor with a hub-and-spoke architecture. The main hub provides essential editing tools with an intuitive button interface, while specialized "spoke" applications handle advanced effects and adjustments.

Core Features

File Management

• Open Images: Load single or multiple images
• Save Image: Downloads edited image (preserves format, uses PNG for transparency)
• Copy Image: Copies to clipboard for pasting elsewhere
• Print Image: Direct printing
• Navigation: Browse through loaded images with Previous/Next, Random, or First buttons
• Keyboard shortcuts: Arrow keys (←/→) for navigation, Ctrl+S to save, Ctrl+O to open, Ctrl+Z to undo

The Power of Incremental Adjustment

All adjustments work in small steps - click buttons multiple times to build up the effect gradually. This gives you precise control and lets you stop at exactly the right amount.

Live Histogram

The histogram at the top of the right panel shows your image's tonal distribution in real-time:

• Black bars represent the distribution of tones from dark (left) to light (right)
• Red markers at the edges show the black point (left) and white point (right)
• Green marker shows the midpoint/median, moving dynamically as you adjust gamma
• Updates live as you work, even while dragging the Fade slider

The Fade Slider - Unlimited Control

After any adjustment, use the Fade slider to dial in the perfect amount:

• Blend between 0% (original) and 100% (full effect)
• Works with nearly all adjustments and filters
• Lets you apply strong effects then pull back to taste
• The histogram updates in real-time as you fade

Basic Adjustments

Tonal Controls:

• Sharpen / Blur: Edge definition
• Clarity / Smooth: Local contrast enhancement / skin smoothing
• Black Point: Stretches darkest tones to pure black
• White Point: Stretches lightest tones to pure white
• Midtones ➖ / ➕: Redistributes middle tones (preserves black/white points)
• Contrast ➖ / ➕: Spreads or compresses tones (non-clipping)

Color Controls:

• Saturation ➖ / ➕: Overall color intensity
• Vibrance ➖ / ➕: Smart saturation (protects already-saturated colors)
• Blue / Yellow: Color temperature adjustment
• Green / Magenta: Tint adjustment

Transform:

• Rotate: 90° clockwise rotation
• Mirror: Horizontal flip
• Tilt Left / Right: 1° incremental rotation
• Width / Height inputs: Specify dimensions manually
• Free Resize: Resize to exact dimensions
• RESIZE: Proportional resize based on one dimension

Crop:

• Click and drag to select crop area
• Move or resize selection after creating it
• 1:1, 8.5 x 11, 4 x 6 buttons constrain to common ratios
• CROP button applies the selection

Effects:

• Monochrome: Grayscale conversion
• Grain: Film grain texture
• Negative: Invert colors
• Local Contrast: CLAHE adaptive histogram equalization
• Border Fade: Soft white edge fade
• Stroke: Black border outline

History & Reset

• Undo / Redo: Step backward and forward through your editing history (up to 20 steps)
• View Original: Hold button to temporarily view original image
• RESET: Return to original image (clears all adjustments)

Spoke Applications

The right panel provides access to specialized tools for advanced work:

Advanced Adjustments

• Curves: Precise tonal and color control with curve adjustments
• Levels: Black point, white point, and gamma with preview
• Hue Master: Selective color adjustments

Painting & Artistic Effects

• Layer Blend Studio: Multi-layer compositing with blend modes
• Flow Brush Painter: Contour-following brush strokes with structure tensor analysis
• Buzz Simulator: Kuwahara filter for painterly effects
• Region Simplifier: Simplifies areas into uniform regions

Retouching Tools

• Clone — Heal — Fill: Professional retouching with clone stamp, healing brush, and fill tools

Edge & Outline Effects

• Edges — Outlines: Edge detection and outline extraction

Frames & Borders

• Frames in the Round: Circular and oval frame selections
• Frame Generator: Automated frame creation
• Frame Bevel Options: 3D beveled frame effects

Utilities

• Gaussian Blur: Advanced blur with radius control
• Add Text — Signature: Text overlay and signature placement
• Expand Canvas: Add space around your image
• Image Joiner: Combine multiple images
• Repeater: Create repeating patterns

All spoke applications work seamlessly with the hub - they open with your current image, you make adjustments, and the result returns to the hub for further editing or saving.

Workflow Tips

1. Start with tonal range: Use Black Point and White Point to establish full tonal range
2. Adjust midtones: Use Midtones buttons to redistribute tones within that range
3. Refine with contrast: Add or reduce contrast as needed
4. Fine-tune with Fade: Dial back any adjustment to exactly the right amount
5. Watch the histogram: Learn to read it for instant feedback on your adjustments
6. Build gradually: Multiple small adjustments often work better than one large one
7. Use View Original: Check your progress against the original at any time