Kretz Image Editor Pro – User Manual

Introduction

Kretz Image Editor Pro is a comprehensive, browser-based image manipulation tool designed by Jonas Lund. It features a layer-based workflow, advanced blending modes, and a suite of creative tools for photo editing and digital painting.

Getting Started

Workspace Overview

• Header: Contains the File and Edit menus, the project filename, and the Hold to Compare button.

• Left Toolbar: Your primary toolbox containing navigation, selection, and creative tools.

• Center Canvas: The main editing area. The checkerboard background represents transparency.

• Right Sidebar: The command center for managing Layers, applying Adjustments, adding Effects, and viewing Metadata.

• Footer: Displays credits (Created by Jonas Lund 2025).

Starting a Project

1. Drag and Drop: Simply drag an image file (JPG, PNG, WebP) or PDF into the canvas area.

2. Open File: Navigate to File > Open to browse your device.

3. Create New: Select File > New to define a custom canvas size and background color (Transparent, White, or Black).

The Toolbar

Navigation & View

• Move Tool: Drags the active layer across the canvas.

  • Shortcut: Hold Spacebar to temporarily switch to the Hand tool for panning.

• Hand Tool: Pans the view without altering layer positions.

• Crop Tool: Defines a specific area of the image to keep, discarding the rest.

• Zoom Tool: Changes the magnification level (5% to 600%).

Selection Tools

Selections isolate specific parts of an image so you can edit them without affecting the rest.

• Rect Select: Creates square or rectangular selections.

• Oval Select: Creates circular or elliptical selections.

• Lasso Select: Allows you to draw a freehand polygon selection.

• Magic Wand: Selects areas of similar color based on a Tolerance setting.

• Brush Select (New!): "Paint" your selection onto the image. This is ideal for selecting complex, organic objects that geometric shapes can't catch.

  • Options: Adjust Size, Hardness, and Opacity (Strength) of the selection mask.

Creative Tools

• Clone Stamp: Duplicates textures or objects.

  • Usage: Hold Alt + Click to define a source point, then click and drag elsewhere to paint with that source.

• Paint Brush: A versatile tool for digital painting with adjustable size, hardness, and opacity.

• Smudge Tool: Blends pixels by dragging them, simulating wet paint.

• Eraser: Removes pixels from the current layer.

• Shapes: Draw vector-style Rectangles, Lines, or Arrows.

Layer Management

The Layers Panel in the right sidebar allows for non-destructive editing.

• Active Layer: The highlighted layer is the one currently being edited.

• Visibility: Toggle the Eye Icon to show or hide a layer.

• Ordering: Use the Up/Down Arrows to change the stack order.

• Merge Down: Combines the active layer with the one directly below it.

• Blending Modes: Change how a layer mixes with the layers beneath it.

  • Modes: Normal, Multiply, Screen, Overlay, Darken, Lighten, Color Dodge, Color Burn, Difference.

Adjustments & Effects

Enhance your images using the sidebar controls. These apply strictly to the active layer.

Tone & Color

• Brightness / Contrast: Correct exposure issues.

• Saturation: Adjust color vividness.

• Warmth: Shift color temperature (Blue/Cool vs. Orange/Warm).

• Highlights / Shadows: Recover details in the brightest or darkest areas.

• White / Black Point: Set the dynamic range boundaries.

Creative Effects

• Blur: Soften the image (Gaussian Blur).

• Sharpen: Enhance edge definition.

• Pixelate: Create a retro, low-resolution blocky effect.

• Vignette: Darken the edges of the frame to draw focus to the center.

Transformations

Resize or reorient your layers using the Transform Layer section.

• Quick Rotate: Instantly rotate ±90°.

• Flip: Mirror the layer Horizontally or Vertically.

• Custom Rotation: Enter a specific angle (e.g., 15°) for precise tilting.

• Global Resize: Change the dimensions of the entire canvas (image resolution).

Shortcuts & Hotkeys

Saving Your Work

Go to File > Save to export your creation.

• Format: Choose PNG for transparency, JPG for photos, WebP for web use, or PDF for documents.

• Quality: JPGs are exported at 90% quality for an optimal balance of size and clarity.

Metadata

The Metadata panel automatically reads Exif data (Camera model, ISO, Aperture, etc.) from imported JPEG files, providing technical insights into photographs.

Troubleshooting

• Selection not showing? Ensure you are drawing on a visible area. The "Ants" (dashed lines) indicate the boundary.

• Clone Stamp not working? You must set a source point first by holding Alt and clicking.

• Performance: "Brush Select" and "Smudge" on very high-resolution images (4000px+) may have slight latency depending on your device's processing power.