PhotoLine

PhotoLine is a graphics editor for Windows and Mac OS X. Its features include 16 bits of color depth, full color management, support of RGB, CMYK and Lab color models, layer support, and non-destructive image manipulation. It can also be used for desktop publishing.

PhotoLine
Developer(s)Computerinsel GmbH
Initial releaseJanuary 1996 (1996-01)
Stable release
23.53 / March 15, 2023 (2023-03-15)
Operating systemmacOS, Microsoft Windows
Platformx86, x64, ARM, PowerPC
Available in5 languages
TypeRaster graphics editor
LicenseProprietary
Websitewww.pl32.com

Features
  • Raster graphics editing, vector graphics editing and basic desktop publishing
  • Full color management and Monitor proofing
  • RGB, CMYK, Lab and grayscale color models
  • Full layer support, including blending modes and grouping
  • Non-destructive editing
  • Filters, brushes and adjustment layers can be used in Lab and HIS color modes (HIS is a variant of HSL), independently of the color model of the underlying image layer
  • Vector layers and text layers including spell checking and character and paragraph styles and text flow inside or around objects.
  • Multi page documents, including text flow between pages
  • Supports Photoshop plugins and PSP tubes[1]
  • Support for Photoshop PSD files, PDF files, animated GIFs, Adobe Flash animations, and, SVGs
  • Camera raw image format support based upon dcraw
  • Macro (action) recording.

File format

Native PhotoLine files have the file extension .PLD or .pld which is an abbreviation of "PhotoLine Document". It may contain embedded JPEG, PNG or camera raw images. In addition it includes a preview image in JPEG or PNG format which can be used by the OS or third-party programs for displaying a thumbnail of the image. On Mac OS X thumbnails are supported natively, for Windows the FastPictureViewer Standalone Codec Pack provides the ability to display thumbnails inside the Windows Explorer.

Version history

Originally, PhotoLine was developed for the Atari ST computer. Version 2 was the first version for Windows, and since Version 6, PhotoLine is also available for Mac OS.

VersionRelease dateSignificant changes
1[2]January 1996
  • classic image editor for Atari ST without layers
2July 1997
  • first Windows version (for Windows 95 and Windows NT 4.0)
  • alpha channels
  • layer support
  • multiple undo
3January 1998
  • vector layers
  • morphing tool
  • additional import and export formats
4July 1998
  • macro recording
  • batch conversion
4.5November 1998
  • full pattern support extending also to vector layers
5[3]February 1999
  • text layers and typographic support
6[4]October 1999
  • poster and label printing
  • virtual scaling and rotating
  • first version for Mac OS 8.5
7[5]2000
8[6]2001/02
  • PDF handling
  • calendar creator
  • slideshow
9[7]Fall 2002
  • web export
  • clipping layers
  • line patterns
  • nondestructive layer distorsions
10[8]Fall 2003
11[9]October 19, 2004
  • Dynamic animations using the Flash format
  • Radial blur
  • PDF export
  • Barcode generation
  • advanced layer effects
  • path text
12[10]September 19, 2005
  • various filters for digital images (white point, chromatic aberration, noise, color temperature)
  • creation of HDR images
  • CIE Lab color space
  • simple 3D bodies
13[11]September 29, 2006
  • multiprocessor support
  • USB stick mode
  • text styles
  • repair brush
  • spell checker (on Mac OS X native / Windows Aspell)
14[12]November 9, 2007
  • improved creation of HDR images
  • crop tool
  • brush editor
  • handling of IPTC-data
  • gray mixer
15[13]January 15, 2009
  • support for 64 bit processors
  • editing of color bends
  • red eye removal tool
  • ray tool
  • harmonic colors
  • variable blur tool
  • SVG Import
16[14]April 21, 2010
  • adjustment layer panel
  • liquify tool for image distortion
  • vector morphing
  • color filters
  • QR-code
17[15]December 13, 2011
  • object removal tool
  • quick masking and border matting tools
  • image extraction tool
  • content aware scaling
  • selective color correction
  • threshold adjustment layer
18[16]October 4, 2013
  • distort and straighten tool
  • hue editor
  • vector operations: union, intersection, difference and exclusion (XOR)
  • full 32 bit (float) color depth
  • interaction with external programs
  • adjustable user interface color
  • automatic guides for easy positioning of elements
  • WebP import and export
19[17]May 25, 2015
  • Dehaze
  • Wipe Effects
  • Color To Transparency
  • Document Color List
  • Spot color / Tint Color
  • Enhanced Line Styles
  • Placeholder Layers
  • Support PDF/X1a and PDF/X3
  • Overprint

See also

References
  1. PhotoLine on the German Wikipedia
  2. Atari Inside 1996 No. 3 (German page)
  3. WayBackMachine Snapshot of PhotoLine Homepage 8 February 1999
  4. WayBackMachine Snapshot of PhotoLine Homepage 5 October 1999
  5. WayBackMachine Snapshot of PhotoLine Homepage 30 September 2000
  6. WayBackMachine Snapshot of PhotoLine Homepage 2 April 2002
  7. PhotoLine Release Notes Version 9
  8. PhotoLine Release Notes Version 10
  9. PhotoLine Release Notes Version 11
  10. PhotoLine Release Notes Version 12
  11. PhotoLine Release Notes Version 13
  12. PhotoLine Release Notes Version 14
  13. PhotoLine Release Notes Version 15
  14. PhotoLine Release Notes Version 16
  15. PhotoLine Release Notes Version 17
  16. PhotoLine Release Notes Version 18
  17. PhotoLine Release Notes Version 19
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