Release Notes

🎓 Lambrecht Film Testing Methodology

Integration with "Way Beyond Monochrome"

Complete implementation of Ralph Lambrecht's industry-standard film testing methodology:

• Gradient Calculation: Calculates film gradient over working range (Zones II-VIII): ΔD / 1.8 log E
• Adaptive Density Per Stop: Replaced hardcoded 0.3 density/stop with gradient-adjusted calculation: 0.3 × (gradient / 0.57)
• More Accurate EI: Effective ISO calculation now accounts for actual film contrast variations
• Normal Gradient Target: 0.57 gradient represents "normal" contrast from Lambrecht's methodology
• High Contrast Compensation: Higher gradient films (>0.57) get proportionally adjusted density per stop
• Low Contrast Compensation: Lower gradient films (<0.57) get proportionally adjusted density per stop

🔬 Fog-Adjusted Densities

Lambrecht Fog Compensation

Professional fog-adjusted density tracking separates film base from actual response:

• Base + Fog: Zone 0 density represents film base plus fog layer
• Absolute Dmin: Minimum density minus base+fog (true clear film response)
• Absolute Dmax: Maximum density minus base+fog (true maximum exposure response)
• Fog Separation: Distinguishes film base characteristics from actual film response to light
• Industry Standard: Matches Lambrecht's spreadsheet methodology

📊 LogH Range Tracking

Standard Exposure Terminology

Professional log exposure (logH) range tracking aligned with industry standards:

• LogH Range: 0.0 to 3.0 (Zone 0 to Zone X = 10 stops = 3.0 log H)
• Each Zone = 0.3 log H: Standard 1-stop increments in log exposure
• Lambrecht Terminology: Uses logH notation matching "Way Beyond Monochrome"
• Exposure Documentation: Tracks useful exposure range for film characterization

📈 New Metrics Display

Gradient Shown in Session List

Session list now displays gradient alongside CI and Gamma:

• Gradient Display: Shows "G: 0.57" for each full mode session
• Automatic Hiding: Only displays when gradient > 0 (hides for legacy sessions)
• Card View: Gradient appears alongside CI and Gamma in metrics row
• Compact View: Gradient included in compact metrics display

🏷️ Terminology Update: ISO → EI

Correct Photographic Terminology

Updated display terminology to match Zone System standards:

• ISO: Film's rated/box speed (e.g., "Kodak TMax 400" = ISO 400)
• EI (Exposure Index): Calculated effective speed from testing (e.g., "rated at EI 320")
• Session List: Changed "ISO 100" → "EI 100" for calculated values
• Alert Message: "Effective ISO:" → "Effective ISO (EI):" for clarity
• CSV Export: Header now reads "Effective ISO (EI)"
• Industry Alignment: Matches Lambrecht and Zone System literature terminology

💾 Enhanced CSV Export/Import

7 New Lambrecht Metric Columns

CSV format expanded with full Lambrecht methodology support:

• New Columns: Gradient, Base+Fog, Absolute Dmin, Absolute Dmax, logH Min, logH Max, logH Range
• Format Detection: Auto-detects old (37 columns) vs new (43 columns) format
• Backward Compatible: Old CSV files import successfully with new metrics defaulting to 0.0
• Forward Compatible: New CSV files export all Lambrecht metrics
• Dynamic Column Mapping: Automatically adjusts zone and lighting column offsets based on format
• Precision: Gradient (2 decimals), fog-adjusted densities (3 decimals), logH (2 decimals)

🔄 Version Management Enhancement

Automatic Version Display

Improved version management to prevent hardcoded version mismatches:

• Dynamic Version Reading: Footer now reads version from Bundle.main.infoDictionary instead of hardcoded string
• Single Source of Truth: Version defined in Xcode project settings, automatically displayed throughout app
• Prevents Mismatches: No more outdated version strings (e.g., showing "Beta 0.73" when app is 0.77)
• Fallback Protection: Gracefully falls back to current version if Bundle info unavailable
• Consistency: Follows same pattern as About dialog for version display

✏️ Zone Reading Editing

Complete Session Edit Functionality

Edit zone density readings directly within existing sessions:

• Zone Reading Updates: Edit any zone density value in both ISO-only and full mode sessions
• Two Save Modes: "Save" for metadata-only updates, "Recalculate & Save" to update metrics from edited zone data
• Smart Recalculation: Automatically recomputes Effective ISO, Contrast Index, Gamma, and Tonal Range from updated zone readings
• Visual Layout: Zone readings displayed in intuitive 2-row grid (Zones 0-V, Zones VI-X)
• Mode Detection: Automatically adapts UI to show only Zone V for ISO-only sessions or all 11 zones for full mode
• Validation: Input validation ensures density values are valid numbers within acceptable range

📚 Documentation Improvements

Clarified Technical Implementation

Comprehensive documentation cleanup to eliminate confusion:

• App Sandbox Status: Clarified that sandbox IS enabled via entitlements file, not Xcode build setting
• Serial Communication: Documented current POSIX serial implementation with device.serial entitlement
• IOKit History: Archived IOKit USB implementation documentation as completed alternative approach
• Build Settings: Explained that ENABLE_APP_SANDBOX = NO build setting is misleading - entitlements control sandbox at runtime
• Calibration Notes: Updated placeholder calibration comments to clarify they're intentionally unused

🎞️ B&W Filter Tracking

Comprehensive Filter Documentation

Track B&W filters used during Zone System testing with accurate specifications:

• 9 Common B&W Filters: Yellow #8, Deep Yellow #12, Orange #21, Red #25, Deep Red #29, Green #11, Blue #47, Polarizer, and None
• Complete Specifications: Wratten numbers, filter factors (e.g., 2×, 4×), and stop compensation (e.g., +1, +2)
• Filter Management: Add, edit, and delete custom filters with FilterToolPanel
• Session Metadata: Filters tracked as additional equipment metadata, do not affect calculations
• CSV Export/Import: Filter data included in CSV files with 4 columns (name, Wratten number, factor, stops)
• Equipment Integration: Filters displayed alongside camera, lens, and grey card in session details

📊 Chart Visualization

Enhanced Zone V Target Display

Improved chart readability and Zone V target visualization:

• Fixed Zone V Target: Target box now stays at fixed density range (0.75–0.85D), not session-dependent
• Semi-transparent Fill: Zone V target box has 50% white fill for better visibility against zone bands
• "Zone V Target" Label: Clear text label overlaid on target box for identification
• Consistent Reference: Target box no longer moves when switching between sessions

🔧 Densitometer Improvements

Enhanced Connection Reliability

Significant improvements to USB densitometer stability and user experience:

• Simplified disconnection handling: Single "OK" alert instead of complex reconnection dialog
• Fixed reconnection functionality: Proper state reset after disconnection errors
• Auto-cleanup on read errors: Automatic connection reset when errors occur
• Improved status indicators: "Disconnected" shown with red indicator when connection lost
• Red status dot when disabled: Clear visual feedback when densitometer feature is off
• Better error recovery: Handles connection errors gracefully without hanging

✨ Onboarding Experience

Searchable Equipment Selection

First-run onboarding now includes powerful search capabilities:

• Searchable film selection: Live filtering as you type, making it easy to find your favorite films
• Searchable developer selection: Quick access to specific developers from the large library
• Search UI: Magnifying glass icon with clear button (X) for easy text clearing
• Empty states: "No films found" / "No developers found" messages when search returns no results
• Better for large libraries: Navigate 200+ films and 100+ developers efficiently

🔧 Major Technical Improvements

Printalyzer Serial Port Rewrite

Complete rewrite of USB densitometer communication using POSIX serial ports instead of IOKit. This provides better reliability and compatibility with macOS App Sandbox requirements.

• POSIX serial I/O: Direct /dev/cu.usbmodem* access with termios configuration
• 115200 baud, 8N1: Standard serial port settings for CDC ACM devices
• Background threading: Continuous read loop without blocking UI
• Automatic device discovery: Scans /dev for connected Printalyzer
• Simplified architecture: SerialPortManager replaces complex IOKit code

✨ New Features

Automatic Mode Validation

ZoneLab now validates that your Printalyzer is in the correct mode for film density measurements:

• Transmission mode required: Film density measurements need T mode readings
• Error alerts: Clear warnings if device is in Reflection (R) or UV (U) mode
• User guidance: Instructions to switch device mode when necessary
• Prevents invalid data: Won't accept R or U readings for film tests

✨ Features

• Zone System testing methodology: 10-stop wedge test (Zones I-X) plus Zone 0 (base + fog)
• Effective ISO determination: Calculate the effective ISO (EI) for your specific film/developer/camera/lens combination and procedures
• Full 11-zone analysis: Complete characteristic curve analysis with CI and Gamma measurements
• Zone V quick mode: Single grey card measurement for fast effective ISO testing
• Printalyzer USB integration (Phase 1): Initial USB densitometer support
• Session comparison: Compare up to 5 tests simultaneously with overlay charting
• Process documentation: Log developer, time, temp, dilution, and agitation for each test
• Equipment library: Manage films, developers, cameras, lenses, grey cards
• CSV export/import: Data portability and backup
• Dark theme UI: with a 3 column design

✨ Major UI Redesign

• Three-column layout: Tool panels (left), chart (center), session library (right)
• Collapsible sidebars: Toggle visibility with keyboard shortcuts
• Chart improvements: Hover interactions, better legend, session colors
• Session filtering: Filter by film, developer, camera, lens
• Drag-and-drop reordering: Organize sessions in library