What's new in IMatch 3.6?
IMatch 3.6 introduces some major technological changes in the IMatch application framework (the plumbing). These changes prepare IMatch for the years to come, and allow me to add all the exciting features I have planned for the upcoming months.
Read more about all the new features in IMatch 3.6...
With this version of IMatch I introduce a new application framework for IMatch.
Several of the key technologies in IMatch have been re-designed and re-programmed. These changes are part of my long-term roadmap for IMatch.
A new database core is introduced by this version, a new scripting system is included and the complete application has been migrated to the latest development environment, tools, components and libraries.
IMatch now also fully supports 16-Bit UNICODE in all modules and features.
This 2007 technological platform represents a big step in my ongoing efforts to improve IMatch and a major milestone on my long-term roadmap for this product.
It not only allows me to add long-awaited features like versioning, the new user interface and other exciting things, but also makes IMatch ready for the changes in hard- and software we will see in the next couple of years.
We've run a beta test for IMatch 3.6 since February 2007, to weed out remaining problems and to incorporate user feedback on the new features introduced in IMatch 3.6. If you have participated in, or at least followed the public beta test, you'll know how good and stable the new 3.6 version is.
The following paragraphs describe the major changes in IMatch 3.6 in more detail.
 The New Universal Core IV Database Format
The 3.6 version introduces a new database format. I have combined a proven and reliable third party database technology with the special hybrid multi-dimensional object-relational database system used in IMatch for years. This combination allowed me to add more stability, the latest in transaction technology, disaster recovery, post-mortem recovery and many other things only meaningful for database experts ;-)
For You, this means a faster, more powerful and even more solid and stable database technology. This major upgrade will allow me to add features I have planned over the next couple of releases.
One of the main changes in the universal Core IV database format is that there is now only a single database file with the extension .IMD4.
All the individual database files used by previous IMatch versions have been combined into this database file. Easier to maintain, transport and backup.
Full 16-Bit UNICODE™ Support
IMatch now supports 16-Bit UNICODE not only in the property database but everywhere in the application. If you use a non-ANSII character set (e.g. Japan, China, India, Arabia, Russia and other countries) you now can use local-specific characters everywhere in IMatch: Properties, Categories, Folder and File Names, XMP meta data, Sorting, Searching, Scripting, etc.
Note: IPTC is still ANSI/ASCII due to the limitations in the IM3 standard. To work with UNICODE IPTC contents, use the IPTC Core namespace in XMP.
If you used non ASCII characters in your IPTC data (using Windows code pages), IMatch will automatically convert this data to UNICODE internally as needed.
The IMatch user interface was changed to support UNICODE input in all dialogs and other user interface elements. The default font was changed so that input from different code pages is possible. This is a big improvement for users working with different languages from different code pages, or input method editors (IME).
New Scripting System and Engine
IMatch 3.6 no longer uses Sax Basic. Instead I now use WinWrap Basic, which is the big brother of Sax Basic. Sax has stopped the distribution of their Basic language a while ago, and I have completely migrated IMatch to the original WinWrap Basic now.
The new scripting engine is fully compatible to the Sax Basic engine used for previous IMatch versions. Nearly all user-defined scripts will continue to run unmodified. So you get all the benefits without the work ;-)
The new Basic engine is much faster in several areas, especially when it interfaces with the IMatch object model. You may experience noticeable performance improvements when you run scripts.
I have measured performance improvements up to several hundred percent. Some scripts run even 10 times or 20 times faster than before.
The development environment is also newer, and the Basic language has many new functions and objects. You can find all the info about the new functions in the WinWrap online help, accessible directly from the scripting editor in IMatch. See also this IMatch Wiki page for more information.
Events. Finally!
Together with the new scripting engine I have introduced event processing in IMatch. Event processing means that IMatch sends (fires) events to the scripting engine. These events can then be processed in a script. This makes a completely new kind of scripts possible.
For example, when an image is added to the database, IMatch will send a message to the scripting engine. You can define a so-called event handler and automatically run a script method when this happens.
IMatch currently supports a set of about 20 events (e.g. file added, file updated, file removed, folder added, category changed...) and you can link individual scripts to each of these events.
IMatch also supports special events like ApplicationStarted and ApplicationQuit which allows you to run scripts when IMatch is started or closed.
Similar events are fired when a database is opened or closed.
In addition, there are timer events which enable you to run scripts at specific times (e.g. every evening at 10:00 PM) or at specific intervals (run a script method once per hour). This is great for doing backups or processing large sets of images while you're not at the PC.
More events will be added in upcoming versions, and I may even allow to run scripts in specific modules, like the batch processor, the contact sheet builder, .... Currently we need to learn what can be done with events, and how I should improve all this in future versions. I'm looking forward to the upcoming months and what you come up with ;-)
This new event processing system is also one of the core technologies I needed to implement the versioning / revision control in IMatch. I had to design and program this feature first.
Tested and Compatible with Windows Vista™
The 3.6 version has been tested under Windows Vista. It ships with a large set of new or updated components, libraries, third party components and camera vendor DLLs in other to run smoothly on Windows Vista.
New Help File FormatIn order to run under Microsoft Windows Vista, the IMatch help has been migrated to use the new CHM help file format. IMatch 3.6 will automatically install the new help file on your system. Previous IMatch versions will continue to use the old .HLP file format.
The help file is an ongoing work and I expect a major update of all help contents for the next generation of IMatch. The next generation has a new user interface and introduces a wealth of new features. And in order to incorporate all these changes, I will need to rewrite or update large sections of the IMatch help.
Locations of Certain Folders Changed
In order to fulfill the stricter security requirements of Windows Vista, the location of several folders was changed. The Scripts, Backgrounds, UserTools and Presets folders are now located under \Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\photools.com\IMatch.
The 3.6 installer automatically installs the default set of scripts, presets and backgrounds into this folder. If you have your own scripts and presets, please copy them manually over from your current pre 3.6 installation if they are not automatically transferred.
More information about all the features added or changed plus the bugs that have been fixed in IMatch 3.6 can be found in the IMatch 3.6 Release Notes.
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Installing IMatch 3.6 |
Summary
- Optionally uninstall older IMatch version(s) to reclaim disk space. See also remarks.
- If you participated in the 3.6 beta test, please un-install the beta version.
- Download the 3.6 install package and extract the files to a folder on your hard disk.
- Run the installer by double-clicking on the file setup.exe in that folder.
- Run IMatch as an Administrator when you start it for the first time.
- Start the database converter from the Tools menu and convert your current database.
- Load the new database once into IMatch 3.6 via the Database > Open command.
Step-by-Step
1. You may uninstall old IMatch versions via the Add/Remove Software applet in Windows Control Panel.
See also these remarks. If you have the 3.6 beta version installed, uninstall it.
If you have an IMatch 3.6 Beta version installed, un-install it.
 If you uninstall older IMatch versions after you have installed the 3.6 version, you'll need to repair the 3.6 installation via the Windows Control Panel afterwards.
2. Download the licensed version of IMatch 3.6 from the photools.com Download Center.
This 3.6 installer file is self-contained. It contains everything required to run IMatch 3.6. You don't need to install an eval version first.
3. The 3.6 version comes packed in a self-extracting archive. Double-click on the downloaded archive in Windows Explorer after downloading and unpack the installer files to a folder on your hard disk.
After extracting these files, launch the install program by double-clicking on the file Setup.exe.
If you are not logged in as a member of the local Administrator group, Windows will prompt you to enter credentials for such an account. IMatch must be installed with an Administrator account.
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When you run IMatch 3.6 for the first time, you need to log on as an Administrator, or as a member of the local Administrator group.
You may also use the "Run as..." command in Windows Explorer to start IMatch 3.6 for the first time.
IMatch 3.6 needs to access the system registry to register components once to complete the installation.
After this initial launch, you can run IMatch under normal user account without administrative privileges. This is especially important when you use Windows Vista.
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4. Converting Your Database
IMatch 3.6 uses a new database format.
To use your existing IMatch 3.5 database with the new IMatch version, you need to convert it.
During this process, IMatch creates a new database file on your system and copies over all the data contained in your current IMatch database. Your existing database is not modified and hence is safe.
The Database Converter
A specialized application is provided for the automatic conversion process. You can start the Database Converter via the IMatch 3.6 program group in the Windows START menu, or via the Tools menu in IMatch 3.6.
The database converter is self-explanatory. You just select your old database and choose a folder and file name for the new database.
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It is a good idea to create a new folder on your hard disk for the new database.
You can create a new folder directly in the Browse dialog provided by the Database Converter.
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The conversion process is fast, and takes only a couple of minutes for average sized databases. If you have a very large database you may schedule this for the evening or when you don't need your PC for a couple of hours.
The conversion to the new IMD4 format does not touch your existing database. The database converter creates a copy of your original database in the new format, leaving the old database unchanged.
You need to convert your old database only once. IMatch 3.6 will update and use the 3.6 database only. You need to load the new database once via the Database menu > Open command. From then on, IMatch 3.6 will load it automatically on startup as usual.
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If you run an on-access virus checker in the background, make sure you exclude the folder containing your database, or at least exclude the .IMD4 file extension.
Otherwise the virus checker may slow down IMatch dramatically when it continuously scans the database while IMatch is working on it.
Make sure you include the folder and database files in your daily or weekly virus scans. Just to be on the safe side.
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5. Automatic Migration of Configuration Data, Scripts etc.
When you start IMatch 3.6 for the first time, it will automatically convert configuration settings, workspaces, presets, text configuration data and other relevant information to the new format used by IMatch 3.6. The old configuration data and config files will be retained.
For Vista compatibility, IMatch 3.6 stores shared data like Presets, Scripts, and Backgrounds in a different folder than before. The new folder is "c:\document and settings\All Users\Application Data\photools.com\IMatch". The name of the folder may vary on your system.
The 3.6 automatically updates your settings under Options > Preferences > General so they point to this new folder. If you have custom scripts installed in the Scripts folder below the IMatch program folder (usually c:\program files\photools.com\IMatch\Scripts) you may need to copy these scripts by hand to the new location.
You may want to check the configuration under Options menu > Preferences after starting IMatch 3.6 for the first time to ensure that all settings are as you like them.
Concurrent Installation of IMatch 3.5 and IMatch 3.6 on the same Computer?
You may, for additional security, install IMatch 3.6 in addition to your existing IMatch 3.5.0.24 version. Since IMatch 3.6 uses its own database, and also works on copies of all configuration data, you can run both versions on the same PC. Please note that you need to have installed IMatch 3.5.0.24. Older versions are not be compatible with IMatch 3.6.
If you later decide to uninstall IMatch 3.5, you can do so. But you will need to run a "Repair" on the IMatch 3.6 installation after uninstalling IMatch 3.5 to ensure that everything is installed correctly. This can be done via the Add/Remove software applet in the control panel.
Read The Release Notes. Really. I mean it!
IMatch 3.6 contains numerous changes. I worked hard to replace large parts of the machinery and plumping in IMatch to make it even faster, even more robust and ready for the years to come.
IMatch 3.6 contains many new features and enhancements. You don't want to miss all the fun stuff, right?
So please, follow this link to the IMatch 3.6 Release Notes and read them.
The IMatch 3.6 Beta Test
We've ran public beta test for IMatch 3.6 for about three months. During that time, final bugs have been found and fixed, new features have been modified and tuned. I'm proud to say that IMatch 3.6 is, although new, very stable and has been installed and tested on hundreds if not thousands of PC's already.
For more informaiton about this beta test, and the many important and helpful comments, go to the IMatch User Forum.
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