It's been a very busy past few weeks for us. In addition to the new team addition, we've also been furiously working on improving all currently released tools AND gearing up for the alpha release of 2 new birds (Some users are already seeing access to them in their accounts, but more on those later).
Let's start this off with some new feature enhancements to our image editor, Phoenix! In our next post we'll touch on some of the amazing new features added to Peacock, our visual laboratory (for creating complex patterns and filters).
Right-Clicking on the canvas to choose a specific layer
Now you can find and select any layer automatically by rightclicking anywhere on the canvas. A list of the layers directly below your mouse will appear. Clicking on the name in that list will select the corresponding layer in the Layers panel on the right hand side and allow you to immediately begin working on it.
Layer can be converted to a selection
If you have a layer with transparencies in it, you can now automatically trace the solid areas and turn it into a selection. To use this feature just go to the menu bar at the top and choose Select > Selection from Layer.
Rulers and Guides!
One of the most requested features to date is the addition of rulers and guides. Now users can get pixel-level accuracy as they draw. To create a new guide, just click and hold on the ruler (horizontal or vertical) and drag onto the canvas. A guide will automatically appear. To move a guide once it's created, click on the Move/Transform tool, then click and drag the guide to the desired location.
As you work with the selection and move tools, your cursor will snap to the guides (see the picture below). We'll be adding more support for other tools in upcoming releases.
Dodge and Burn tool
Another highly requested feature. We've added a Dodge/Burn tool which allows you to selectively lighten and darken different areas of a picture. We'll be splitting these into two separate tools in a future release, but for now they are available as functions within the same tool.
Saving now includes tags, permissions and description
Now you can automatically save your changes directly from within the interface. Previously you needed to first save your work, then adjust your permissions, tags and description on the website. You can still use the website to adjust your changes in these areas as well.
Brushes and fonts are now larger
This was an easy, but important one. Brushes can now be up to 300 pixels in size (from 100). Fonts can be up to 288 pixels in size (from 72).
Input level control over zoom
You can now type in the zoom level you'd like to go to. Spacebar control over panning is coming in the next release.
New & improved Color Picker panel
The colorpicker is now reorganized and a lot quicker. The same interface is also available in all Aviary applications (including Toucan and Peacock). Additionally, you can now adjust alpha transparency directly in the interface. In upcoming releases we'll be adding additional color settings (like CMYK) which are currently only available in Toucan.
Gradient improvements
Gradient now has some new methods (pad, reflect and repeat), which lead to greater control over what types of patterns the tool can be used to create.
Access to Flickr, Picasa and Facebook images
You can now access your Flickr, Picasa and Facebook images from within the Resource Browser (within all tools). One note is that this currently doesn't work if you have a Popup blocker installed (which is used when authenticating at these sites. We'll be addressing that problem and adding additional sites in upcoming releases. 
Every single bug is now fixed and the software is flawless
Just kidding. But we've made pretty good headway. We have solved countless bugs, too numerous to list. Thank you so much to all our beta testers for helping us to make our tools that much better by reporting every thing.
Are there any features you'd like to see in Phoenix? Please comment below. Highest on my wishlist? Paths.
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Posted by wichenroder on 2008-06-15 03:48:58
Excellent upgrade! Right clicking to choose layer is especially nice.
Posted by Usman on 2008-06-17 10:21:54
Amazing, but can somone help me? I signed up for a early bird invitation about 4 weeks ago and I still havn't gotten one. :( Can somone invite me or something please. My email is : usmanimam@live.com. I really wat to try this an it looks very cool! :)
Posted by ash on 2008-06-17 18:44:17
Usman can you invite me please or anyone I signed up almost 3 months ago.
ash
Posted by Aron on 2008-06-24 11:30:20
Wow, these new features seem really nice. I signed up for about 2.5 months ago and havent't heard anything since... Could someone invite me? My emailadress is ikbeneenvliegtuig@gmail.com. Thanks in advance.
Posted by Vasooki on 2008-06-24 13:36:56
Okay, I signed up a while ago, and I would really like an invitation. I haven't heard anything, and this looks really nice, and it would be really cool to have something like photoshop without having to buy it.
My e-mail is Bloopy_900@yahoo.com
Thank you in advance!! :):):)
Posted by Shuez on 2008-06-24 20:24:33
Anyone have any magical information in regards to the status of Penguin? That is what I look forward to the most, in fact, I am not sure why the push for the image editor first because there are a few good, free image editors already out there. Penguin will be far more unique. That being said: Phoenix is turning out great!
Posted by oracle on 2008-06-25 02:07:11
STROKE! STROKE! STROKE! STROKE! STR... ahem... Stroke tool would be nice :D. It's not a complex feature either (I assume) so hopefully not too hard for yo guys to implement.
Posted by copper on 2008-06-27 10:50:55
Shuez, I haven't heard anything. Some of the other apps may be higher up on the priority list.
Posted by Steve on 2008-06-27 14:34:47
Someone please please please send me an invite. I've been waiting and it's killing me.
Steve.a.marshall@gmail.com
Thanks!!!!!
Posted by Morg on 2008-07-03 19:45:49
Does anyone wanna trade a beta invite to this for a dropbox beta invite? I reallllly wanna try out Aviary products.
Posted by Morg on 2008-07-03 19:58:21
I should also add my email is morgmaster70@gmail.com if anyone is so awesome as to send my a invite I will have to thank them many times.
Posted by manny juan on 2008-07-04 23:38:20
can someone be kind enough to invite me to phoenix! i'm missing out on a super product! thanks in advance! manyone@yahoo.com
Posted by Santa Clause starring Tim Allen on 2008-07-05 13:25:57
morg and manny, christmas came early. Ho Ho Ho
Posted by Gingie on 2008-07-07 18:36:52
Morg, I tried to invite you but apparently you're already in. Is it possible to get a Dropbox invite? I apologize if it's asking too much. [aidenbdud@gmail.com] Thanks and I hope ou enjoy Aviary.
Posted by Tyler on 2008-07-09 16:17:29
Man, I am so impressed with what Aviary has to offer the online community, and the caliber of their efforts. I just am itching to be invited, so I can contribute as well.
Posted by Romeo on 2008-07-10 06:18:11
I'm not sure how the invitation process works but i need one also. (justrome0@yahoo.com) I think the idea behind this is great and that everyday we are closer and closer to the flashOS. Way to go.
Posted by Simon on 2008-07-16 07:10:23
it would be very kind of someone who could invite me! This is incredible stuff here and I'd like to test it out :) Heres my e-mail: "siousu01@gmail.com" Thx you very very much in advance! best regards, Simon
Posted by Erik on 2008-07-19 03:07:46
So about how long are we waiting for invites only been two days for me but im really interested in trying this stuff out. email is the_peaceful_one@hotmail.com
Posted by Nick on 2008-07-19 18:43:16
If anyone else has some spare invites, I'd really love one. My email is NickJ816 [at] Gmail.com
Posted by Justin on 2008-07-19 23:11:49
This is a dream-come-true-suite. Any chance of getting an invite? Email is: islandpapi808@gmail.com. I travel a lot and this would help so much.
Posted by Grant on 2008-07-21 15:30:36
Justin, I'm from Oahu! Just can't wait to get an invite. My cousin is too stingy to give me one of his. lol
Posted by Paul Laine on 2008-07-25 09:54:19
Hi. It appears that you just ask for an invite on the main page but I see people asking for invites in this section. If that's necessary I would like to request one too. How long does it usually take to get an invite as well? I'm really looking foward to this site. I've got friends all waiting for it too. I'm usually not an online working person but this will probably change with Aviary. Love what I have seen from some of the apps. The video examples are what hooked me. Thanks, Paul
Posted by tina on 2008-07-28 11:52:43
Hi I'm obsessed with the work your doing here. I get so inspired by all the talent... then eat my fingers with frustration... please please send me an invite and put me out of my misery. thank you (grovel grovel).
Posted by Glen on 2008-07-28 19:26:27
this program looks amazing i would love it i tried signing up a while ago, but no invite has arrived how long does this usually take? oh and if someone could just invite me my email is: gd.strwrs_fn-@hotmail.com
Posted by Mychael on 2008-08-01 22:47:51
This is pretty serious. I can only imagine the stuff I would creat with this. How can I get an invite Mychael138@ymail.com.
Posted by Dot on 2008-08-04 10:18:45
Santa (or anyone), Please Invite Me!! I applied ages ago also and never heard a word. adot2dot{at)hotmail{dot)com
Posted by Gimli on 2008-08-04 13:29:16
This is simply amazing...I currently have Paint.Net, but this just seems all the better! Might a kind newbie at image editing recive an invite? =3 -puppy eyes- I could do some awesome stuff with this program. I'll be so very grateful!
hornswaggler_2006@yahoo.com
Thanks!
Posted by georgina on 2008-08-06 06:45:31
Plz send me an invite i havent recieved one yet though i sent off and i cant wait to get one :)
Posted by Madisetti on 2008-08-07 22:20:03
Woah. I have Photoshop 4. But this is mind boggling. I've dabbled in photo editing doing some of the worth1000 competitions but never entering because my blending seems limited. But this is limitless. Emma Watson the male 57 year old truck driver was amazing. (Do I have to write my email too? Every else has.) dingo_ii@hotmail.com
Posted by Thiết kế web, thiet ke web, Thiết kế website, thiet ke website, design on 2008-08-08 03:03:49
Website được thiết kế chuyên nghiệp, khẳng định thÆ°Æ¡ng hiệu website do VINA DESIGN thiết kế . Äá»™i ngÅ© tÆ° vấn chuyên nghiệp, có kinh nghiệm đầu tÆ° và phát triển các dá»± án thiết kế website, dá»± án giải pháp thÆ°Æ¡ng mại Ä‘iện tá»
Posted by Bluestrat on 2008-08-11 11:54:48
Looks awesome! I'm eager to try this, can someone invite me? bluestrat@alltel.net
Posted by Paul Laine on 2008-08-12 07:15:34
Hi. It's been quite while since I requested an invite. As a potential customer/user I would really like some feedback on how invitations are being giving out. Just want to know if I should move on or if it's gonna be a fluke to get an invitation. Communication is really important to build a community. Thanks, Paul Here's my email just in case there is a chance of getting an invitation: lainevisuals@gmail.com
Posted by Paul Laine on 2008-08-12 09:22:47
I got an invitation and am most happy! Just want to say thanks to the one who sent it. I really appreciate it! Paul
Posted by Bailey on 2008-08-17 03:15:53
As a current flex developer out there on the field, the work you guys are doing here is greatly interesting! Pheonix looks like a killer so far! I know I registered for an invite several months back as I stumbled on the work from a rouge rss feed, but have yet to hear anything back. Any invites would be appreciated ;) With that said, hey keep up the solid work! Bailey
Posted by bonera on 2008-08-25 10:02:43
plsssssssssssssssss invite me ..........i will appreciate it plssssssss.....................if u invite me i willl make the best graphics ,...................pls...my id is bushra_bonera@yahoo.com
Posted by bonera on 2008-08-25 10:02:46
plsssssssssssssssss invite me ..........i will appreciate it plssssssss.....................if u invite me i willl make the best graphics ,...................pls...my id is bushra_bonera@yahoo.com
Posted by bonera on 2008-08-25 10:06:52
plsssssssssssssssss invite me ..........i will appreciate it plssssssss.....................if u invite me i willl make the best graphics ,...................pls...my id is bushra_bonera@yahoo.com
Posted by Luke on 2008-06-14 07:19:19
Awesome Awesome Awesome Awesomsauce deluxe! The select layer from right click feature is great software design, and a productivity feature that neither photoshop nor the GIMP have been able to come up with. Well done! PS: Why doesn't the comment form read my details from my user profile, as I'm logged in?