Version 1.0.34
What's new
Every notable change to Lumen Tool, newest first.
- v1.0.34
Studio 1 and 2: two new heads
- Added Head 16, Oscar.
- Added Head 17, Olive.
- v1.0.33
Studio 5: lighting and framing fixes
- Fixed softboxes and spots showing black fronts in the 3D view during daylight even when switched on, in all three rooms.
- Fixed the illuminated front of studio spots being hidden by the lamp housing.
- Fixed automatic framing cropping the model when switching it on or changing the camera zoom.
- v1.0.32
Studio 5: rooftop room
- Added Room 3, an outdoor rooftop room.
- Fixed several issues, including the reflectors.
- Various small fixes.
- v1.0.31
Small fixes
- Various small fixes.
- v1.0.30
Studio 1 and 2: new head
- Added Head 15, Waldorf.
- Fixed Head 14 looking too bright.
- v1.0.29
Studio 6: Looks fixes
- Fixed the tiny Compare window and the black borders around look previews, and you can now save five looks with a note on each.
- v1.0.28
Studio navigation
- Changed the studio top bar to one shared layout.
- v1.0.27
Studio 1 and 2: new head
- Added Head 14, Kingpin.
- Added a Read more with a short explanation to each studio on the Studio home.
- Fixed the Studio 2 reference photo disappearing when you left the studio and came back.
- v1.0.26
Studio 1 and 2: shadow fix
- Fixed the visible grid pattern in soft shadows on some heads.
- v1.0.25
Knowledge base and studio help
- Updated the public knowledge base with the latest studio information.
- Added and updated help windows in the member area, with links to the full guides.
- v1.0.24
Studio 5: histogram
- Added a histogram of the photo to the Camera Monitor and Camera View, in Brightness or RGB.
- Added Highlights and Shadows warnings with a percentage and optional marks on the picture.
- Number fields in the Inspector take less space.
- Fixed the first TTL flash reading being wrong on some computers.
- Fixed memory growing each time you switched to a camera with another format.
- v1.0.23
Hand Reference: fixes
- Hiding the studio and stand no longer changes the light on the hand.
- Fixed light presets keeping parts of your previous light.
- The male hand loads faster.
- Fixed a pause when switching lights, the studio or Silhouette on and off.
- Fixed Undo after Reset gesture when the model was changed in between.
- v1.0.22
Color Lab: fixes
- Fixed your composition being lost when the page closed while renaming a light.
- Zooming with the scroll wheel is now one undo step.
- Faster response when changing colors, brightness and exposure.
- Fixed Try again opening the default scene instead of the Archive item.
- Added a confirmation after saving to the Archive.
- Fixed a pause after switching models.
- Fixed the toolbar on tablets and smaller laptops.
- v1.0.21
The Archive: Empty Archive
- Added Empty Archive to delete all items at once.
- Restoring a backup without enough free space now shows how much space is needed and how much is free.
- v1.0.20
Reference Lab: faster and steadier reading
- Dropping in a new portrait now stops the previous reading right away.
- Reading continues while the tab is in the background.
- Faster reading from the second portrait onward.
- Fixed the Reference Lab changing your chosen head in Photo Lighting.
- Fixed the portrait losing quality after going back and forth to Photo Lighting.
- Fixed the lighting diagram not resizing when the reference photo opens or closes.
- v1.0.19
Studio 01, Studio 02 and the Archive: fixes
- Fixed a stretched, blurry 3D view after printing.
- Opening an Archive item now asks before replacing your current work.
- A Reference Lab portrait is only saved to the Archive when you tick the new checkbox.
- Sharper lighting diagram on high-resolution screens.
- Fixed Grumpdalf and Baldwin showing without their names in the Archive.
- Faster saving of setups and comparisons to the Archive.
- Fixed reference images over 10 MB failing to save in Artist Lighting.
- v1.0.18
Studio 05: steadier loading and fixes
- Fixed changes being possible while a room is still loading.
- Fixed view jumps moving the photo camera.
- Fixed the studio not opening when a placed object cannot be downloaded.
- Archive setups open without loading the previous room first.
- Fixed the view note coming back after closing it.
- Fixed lists, prints, shadows and menus updating without reason.
- v1.0.17
Studio 05: camera monitor and lighting fixes
- Drag between the camera monitor picture and the lists to change their height.
- Fixed flash lights losing output with the camera monitor open.
- Fixed stripes on walls lit by spots.
- Fixed models flickering or going dark while being moved.
- More accurate room lighting in every room and preset.
- Fixed the Delete key removing the wrong object.
- Printed setup sheets are easier to read.
- v1.0.16
Studio 05: steadier camera monitor and fixes
- Added an Auto Framing switch to the camera monitor.
- Added delete buttons to the Set List.
- The camera monitor picture stays steady when adding or removing lights.
- The camera monitor no longer goes blank when resizing or opening.
- Fixed Portrait orientation in Camera view.
- Fixed the flash power slider not updating the picture.
- Fixed the M shortcut for focusing on the model.
- Fixed missing shadows on computers with limited graphics support.
- v1.0.15
Studio 05: faster placing of lights and reflectors
- Placing, removing and undoing lights, reflectors and V-flats is faster to much faster, depending on the object.
- Softboxes, spots, projectors, lanterns, reflectors and V-flats appear without the view pausing.
- v1.0.14
The Archive: better on desktop and phone
- A new layout for desktop, tablet and phone.
- Browse and open your saved setups on your phone.
- See saved studio settings and lighting diagrams more clearly.
- Add notes and photos of your result or real lighting setup.
- Zoom into images, present collections, and print or save PDFs.
- Improved photo handling and Archive backups.
- v1.0.13
Studio 05: flash lighting and faster controls
- Added flash lighting.
- Added automatic flash power (TTL).
- Added flash use at faster shutter speeds (HSS).
- Added separate continuous and flash lights in the Library.
- Flash lights use daylight color; change it with gels.
- Added gels to more lights.
- Flash settings are saved with your setup.
- Fixed brightness changing after adjusting flash settings.
- Made camera settings and monitor controls faster.
- Made depth of field and switching back to 3D faster.
- Improved object placement.
- Smoother, more accurate light shadows.
- Fixed the 3D view going dark next to the camera monitor.
- Fixed camera monitor errors when resizing the window.
- Added a flash guide to the Knowledge Base.
- v1.0.12
Studio 05: automatic basic shot
- Presets and Camera view now frame the model full length.
- v1.0.11
Studio 05: realistic light and camera settings
- Daylight and studio lights now work at realistic strength.
- Added aperture, shutter speed and ISO.
- Each placed camera keeps its own settings.
- Added a depth of field switch.
- Reflectors now work at realistic strength.
- Fixed Camera view flashing when changing settings.
- v1.0.10
Set Builder is open: very early beta
- Studio 05: Set Builder is now open to members in a very early beta. Build a photo set in a 3D room with models, poses, props, lights and a camera, save it to the Archive and print the plan.
- Added Set Builder guides to the Knowledge Base.
- Color Lab now works in Safari and uses more detailed Malik and Amara models. Hand Reference keeps work separately for each account.
- Improved Archive reopening, photo links and the hand-over from Reference Lab, with many smaller fixes across Lumen Tool.
- v1.0.9
Better navigation and a male hand
- Navigation is updated: moving through the member area is now simpler and clearer.
- Added a male hand to Studio 07: Hand Reference, next to the female hand.
- Minor fixes.
- v1.0.8
Light now falls off like real light
- Moving a light twice as far away now gives a quarter of the light, two stops less, just like a real lamp. Before, distance mattered too little.
- The Pattern reading now names the Rembrandt preset correctly.
- Minor fixes.
- v1.0.7
New head added
- Added Head 13: Baldwin to the Lighting Simulator.
- Minor fixes.
- v1.0.6
Hand Reference is here
- Added Studio 07: Hand Reference, a flexible 3D hand study for exploring gesture, perspective, form and light.
- Archive backups now include Reference Lab work, keep photos at high resolution and come in a cleaner ZIP file.
- Buttons, spacing and other shared details now feel more consistent from one studio to the next.
- Several minor fixes.
- v1.0.5
Color Lab is here
- Added Studio 06: Color Lab. Light a full model with up to six colored lights, spots and patterns, and compare up to four looks.
- Color Lab work saves to the Archive and reopens exactly as you left it.
- Saving to the Archive now recovers cleanly when the connection drops.
- v1.0.4
New head added
- Added Head 12: Grumpdalf to the Lighting Simulator.
- Studio 01 and Studio 02 now remember your work more reliably between visits.
- Minor fixes.
- v1.0.3
The Archive is here
- The Archive is included in Lumen Tool: keep setups, comparisons, photos and notes together, with collections, favorites and backups.
- Sharper previews, clearer light settings and more room around saved work.
- Fixed comparison reopening, save choices, photo viewing and backup downloads, with more consistent text and controls across Lumen Tool.
- v1.0.2
General improvements
- Reference Lab hands setups to the Lighting Simulator more reliably.
- The Account page is simpler and focuses on email, plan and subscription management.
- Lumen Tool overview images and head thumbnails load more neatly.
- The Archive and account recovery are a bit more robust.
- Several small fixes across Lumen Tool, caching and deployment.
- v1.0
Out of beta
- Lumen Tool is out of beta. This is the first real version, and it is live.
- Lumen Tool is now subscription-based: one price, every current studio and module, with future studios and modules included as they are released.
- Sign in with a code we mail you, on any machine. No password to remember.
- New: Value Study. Look at the same lighting as tone alone, in grayscale or in three, five or seven steps, so you can read the shapes without the colour getting in the way (Lumen Tool).
- A long list of small fixes and safety work across the tool and the site.
- v0.9 beta
The Reference Lab is ready
- Drop in a portrait and it reads the light: key side and height, shadow depth, back light, backdrop and the classic pattern (Lumen Tool).
- The same light set up on the studio's own head, next to your picture, with a view from above.
- All the details on request: angle, height, the difference in stops, the catchlights, and the camera settings if the file carries them.
- One click hands the setup to the Lighting Simulator, your portrait alongside the head while you work.
- Your picture stays on your own machine.
- v0.8.1 beta
The numbers now match what you see
- The readings, the diagram and the picture agree with each other. The key/fill ratio takes distance into account, so moving a light further away changes the number.
- Clearer readings: intensity in stops below full power, falloff measured against the middle of the distance scale, and backdrops with plain names like Dark grey.
- Rim Light and 3-Point moved to Advanced Mode, where the back light they need is available. Every preset now sets all four lights, so nothing carries over from your last setup.
- Pattern recognition is sharper: it only names a setup after lights that really light the scene, and the colour reading now notices gels.
- Saved setups, project files and share links remember which head you used and the Surface you had it on, and comparisons draw each setup on its own head (Lumen Tool).
- A head that will not load no longer takes your work with it (Lumen Tool).
- Plus smaller fixes and clearer wording throughout the tool and the help pages.
- v0.8.0 beta
New public site and contact form
- New design for the public pages (help, blog, changelog, about and legal pages).
- Added a contact form.
- Moved to a new server for a smoother, faster experience.
- v0.7.0 beta
Polish and consistency pass
- Every pop-up window in the tool now looks the same.
- Tidied up the Saved Setups area.
- Compare View now reads like a proper contact sheet.
- The last of the plain browser alerts are gone, replaced by windows that match the tool.
- Clearer warning before starting a new project, and a smoother reset.
- Nicer screen for the message that shows when you open the tool on a phone.
- Removed the version number from the top bar.
- Fixed odd symbols that were showing up in a few places on screen.
- Shared setup links and the share buttons are more reliable now.
- v0.6.0 beta
Compare Saved Setups
- Saved States renamed to Saved Setups for clearer wording.
- Empty setup slots can now be clicked directly to save the current setup.
- Added Compare Saved Setups for visual side-by-side comparison before export.
- Compare view shows large high-resolution setup previews instead of stretched thumbnails.
- Compare view supports up to four setups at once.
- Setup comparison captions were simplified to keep focus on the images.
- Download Screenshot renamed to Download Current 3D View for clarity.
- v0.5.0 beta
Stability fixes
- Fixed the top bar in Advanced Mode overlapping the 3D / Diagram / Setup buttons, so they stay clickable.
- The tool now handles it gracefully when the 3D head fails to load.
- v0.4.0 beta
Analysis layer and project saving
- Practical Analysis Layer (Advanced Mode): live Key:Fill ratio, light pattern detection with names, one-line pattern descriptions and a contrast assessment (Flat / Balanced / Dramatic / Harsh).
- Project saving (Advanced Mode): name your projects, a New / Open / Save menu, your work saved automatically in your own browser and picked up again on your next visit, plus a project list with names and dates you can delete from.
- Export and print: previews are no longer stretched, they're sharper now, and the blank first page when printing is gone.
- Also: saved previews take up less space, tighter spacing around the Presets, and a handful of rare crashes fixed.
- v0.3.0 beta
Help page and welcome overlay
- New Help page added.
- New welcome overlay for first-time visitors.
- Help link added inside the tool.
- v0.2.0 beta
Renamed to Lumen Tool, own domain
- LightLab was renamed to Lumen Tool.
- The tool moved from a page at geartakes.com to its own dedicated domain at lumentool.com.
- The 3D head is no longer built into the page itself. It loads separately now, which keeps the tool light.
- Fixed saved setups coming back facing the wrong way after you used Flip.
- Fixed dragging in the diagram staying stuck when you let go outside the drawing area.
- Share links now carry almost the whole setup with them: lights, gels, skin tone, backdrop, flip, your own light names, camera angle, which view you were in and whether Advanced Mode was on. Older links still work.
- Backdrop names and the Advanced Mode panels behave more consistently.
- v0.1.0 beta
Advanced Mode arrives
- Saved States: keep up to 5 setups, each with a preview image, the date you saved it and your own note. Export them all in one go.
- Download the current 3D view or diagram as a JPG.
- Gel filters: add colour gels to any light.
- Hair light: a fourth lamp for hair or background lighting.
- Kelvin colour dot and EV (stops) readout for each light.
- Flip model left-to-right (click or F), and rename Key / Fill / Back / Hair.
- Keyboard shortcuts: Space for front view, R to reset, F to flip.
- Setup tab: a clean overview of all settings on one page, with print support.
- Automatic pattern recognition: Rembrandt, Butterfly, Loop, Broad, Short and more.