⚙️ Devlog #3 – Smart Folders, Smarter Workflow, and Polished UX!

⚙️ Devlog #3 – Smart Folders, Smarter Workflow, and Polished UX!

Hey everyone!
It’s time for Devlog #3 of ImgForge, and this update is all about making your workflow smoother, cleaner, and faster. The forge just got sharper 🔥

Let’s dive right in!

🧠 Smarter Folder Handling

One of the biggest improvements this time is streamlined folder input logic:

✅ Instant folder scanning:
Only top-level image files are detected (no accidental subfolder clutter).

✅ Auto output setup:
When “Use same folder as input” is toggled, ImgForge now automatically sets the output path — no more manual browsing!

✅ Dynamic disabling of output field:
If “Use same folder” is enabled, the output entry locks automatically — clean and intuitive.

🧰 Better UI Flow for Conversions

The Converter Tab has been refined for smoother operation:

🪶 Cleaner layout — improved padding, centered elements, and consistent design.
⚡ Thread-safe logging ensures no freezing during conversions.
📄 Readable log area header with a “Clear Log” button.
🧩 Improved validation for input, output, and format selection.
🚫 Conversion guard — prevents multiple conversions from running simultaneously.

The UI is now more readable, consistent, and robust — built for speed and clarity.

💾 File Safety & Permissions

Your files matter — so ImgForge now verifies output directories before starting:

✅ Auto-creates missing output folders.
✅ Tests folder write permissions before processing.
✅ Handles permission errors gracefully with user-friendly popups.

No more “nothing happened” confusion — if something’s wrong, you’ll know exactly what and why.

🧩 Under-the-Hood Polish

A lot of behind-the-scenes work went into making ImgForge more stable and production-ready:

• Consistent constants for padding, zoom limits, and dimensions.

• Improved resource_path() handling for PyInstaller builds.

• Better error reporting and safer image saves.

• Cleaner state resets after conversion (file list clears, logs refresh, buttons reset).

The app feels smoother and more reliable than ever.

🌗 Enhanced Theme Toggle

Theme switching is now fully integrated and more responsive!
Easily toggle between Dark 🌙 and Light ☀️ themes using the in-app switch.

Your chosen mode now automatically updates all frames and widgets — instantly.

🖼️ Cropper Tab Tweaks

The Cropper also got fine-tuned:

• Smarter scrollbar visibility (only appears when needed).

• Bounded zooming (min 0.05x, max 8x).

• Improved centering logic for all zoom levels.

• Smooth scrolling using Shift or Ctrl for power users.

The Cropper now feels precise, fast, and intuitive — a true lightweight editor built into your converter.

🧭 Coming Soon in Devlog #4

Here’s what’s next in the forge 🔮

🖼️ Real-time preview panel in Converter Tab
📂 Drag & Drop support for instant file adding
💾 Persistent user settings (theme, paths, formats)
🎛️ Compression & Quality controls
💧 Optional watermark system
📦 “Pack Mode” to zip all converted images automatically

❤️ Final Thoughts

ImgForge has evolved from a simple batch converter into a multi-tool for creators — and it’s only getting better.
Every new line of code is forged for reliability, polish, and ease of use.

Keep sharing your thoughts — every idea helps shape the next version.
Till next time, keep forging! ⚔️

— Dark Barrier 🛡️