3.1.0.0 - Preview and merge

This is a gradual rollout and may not be offered by the Microsoft Store for some time, unless actively searching for updates.

It's the first big feature update of 2022! This time around I focused on tools accompanying the scan experience. Here are some highlights followed by the complete list of changes:

🔍 Preview and scan region selection (#61)

First up, the preview has been expanded upon and is now more powerful than ever. The used area is much bigger than before to give you a better impression of what the actual scan is gonna look like. If you are scanning from a flatbed, you can select a scan region from the preview dialog. It even includes editable width and height fields, allowing you to enter precise measurements in centimeters or inches.

 

📥 Scan and merge

Feeder scanners also get a special treat. Using the new "Scan and merge" tool that's hidden inside the scan button, you can insert new pages in specific spots. The major use case is scanning many two-sided sheets with a feeder scanner that doesn't support duplex. Previously, users had to scan both sides of the sheets consecutively and then reorder the pages manually, which could be quite a feat. No more! Just scan all the front sides first and then merge all the flip sides into the first batch to get a neatly organized PDF in just two simple steps. It's almost too easy.

🤏 Improved PDF file sizes (#63)

PDF files sometimes grew in size waaaaaay too fast depending on the scanner. The conversion is now more consistent and all pages are compressed before they are added to the file.

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Please note: Starting with this update, Scanner now requires at least Windows 10 v1903 to run. Users on Windows 10 v1809 will have to remain on Scanner v3.0.6.

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Complete list of changes

• the app now requires at least Windows 10 v1903 to run, as opposed to v1809
• introduced new preview dialog with a bigger preview canvas
• #61: added ability to select a scan region from the preview dialog when scanning from the flatbed
• added new "Scan and merge" tool that can be launched from the scan button and is available for feeder scans with an existing PDF file
• added new "Measurement units" option to the settings to switch between inches and centimeters
• added "Legal" aspect ratio to the North American category
• color modes that aren't supported in any configuration will now be hidden completely for a more compact menu
• #48: Fixed resetting the brightness/contrast values didn't have any effect
• #63: PDF files were quite big for some users, this should now be much more consistent regardless of the used scanner
• #64: the resolution list can now be traversed quickly by typing the desired value
• improved accessibility in page list, editor and scan options (most noteworthy: screen readers can now explain the next action triggered by the scan options, which was previously transported by iconography)
• fixed flipping a custom aspect ratio locks the aspect ratio
• added borders to the pages in the page list for better contrast
• #69: improved analytics and logging surrounding the scanner search to hopefully improve its reliability
• added Hindi localization

3.0.6.0 - Fixes

This is a gradual rollout and may not be offered by the Microsoft Store for some time, unless actively searching for updates.

• #50: (Hopefully) Fixed multiple crashes impacting devices with certain sets of language packs installed
• Fixed errors while processing or editing files could lock up the UI indefinitely
• Fixed stopping a "start fresh" scan doesn't close the old pages completely, resulting in an inconsistent state
• Fixed "+" icon missing from the scan flyout when "Start fresh" is selected as default scan action
• Fixed auto rotation sometimes doesn't select an installed language when no ideal one is available
• Added a warning to the auto rotation setting that appears when no compatible language is available
• Fixed a crash that could occur when quickly selecting a page after the app launches and then going back to the scan options
• Updated translations

3.0.5.0 - Crash fix

• This fixes the high-hitting crash introduced in v3.0.4, which impacted certain non-English display languages.

3.0.4.0 - Fixes and improvements

Warning

Saying this would be the last update of 2021 jinxed it: A high-hitting bug is included in this release, preventing users with certain display language such as French or German from starting a scan, essentially rendering the app unusable. Please stay on previous versions for now. An update (v3.0.5) is rolling out but may be significantly delayed due to the holidays. I apologize for the inconvenience.

 
 
 

This last update of 2021 includes a lot of fixes, some quality-of-life improvements, a handful of new features and some cosmetic changes I didn't manage to include in the v3.0 update. Thanks for all the help here on GitHub and POEditor! ❤️

• #57: Fixed an error preventing users on Windows 10 from scanning anything when "Ask every time" is enabled.
• #59: Updated the localization.
• #55: JPGs don't unexpectedly grow in size when automatic rotation is enabled anymore.
• #52: A default action for the scan button can now be selected in the settings ("Add to existing pages" vs. "Start fresh")
• Added an animation to the editor that's shown while scanning.
• The page list button now shows the total number of pages when the app window is very narrow.
• Improved the error message shown when a scan fails due to the just picked save location.
• Fixed invalid scanners sometimes showing up in the list or invalid source modes being offered in the scan options.
• Fixed last used auto crop mode not being retrieved from the database correctly, causing a faulty instruction to be sent to the scanner.
• Fixed scan button flyout not highlighting the default action correctly.
• Settings links can now directly navigate to a specific setting.
• Fixed a crash when navigating between pages when the app window is very narrow.

3.0.3.0 - Improvements

Improved startup reliability.

Fixed app appearing idle when processing the first scan.

Improved settings migration from pre-3.0 versions.

Updated localization.

3.0.2.0 - Localization and duplex improvements

Fixes #51 and falls back to English strings for untranslated parts of the app.

Adds a Spanish translation.

Hopefully fixes some duplex issues that could cause duplex not to work or to only support up to 5 pages in a single run.

3.0.1.0 - Hotfix for crash at launch

Includes a fix for #47.

3.0.0.0 - Windows 11 update

A modernization of the code base, which includes a migration to MVVM for improved maintainability and reliability. The app's branding and visual appearance will undergo a major refresh to feel right at home on Windows 11. Scanner is now just called that - Scanner - gone is "for Windows 10".

The update also adds many new smart features, such as the ability to remember the last used scan configuration on a per-scanner basis, automatic scan rotation and more.

This release will not impact the current system requirements, every version starting with Windows 10 1809 will be supported, with the best experience reserved for Windows 11.

Changes:

• A complete redesign for Windows 11
• Added support for advanced scan options (automatic cropping and contrast/brightness adjustment), which can be enabled in the app settings
• Added support for automatic color mode selection (requires a compatible scanner)
• Previewing will now apply the selected scan options, e.g. contrast adjustments
• Added a setting for the editor orientation (horizontal or vertical)
• Added a special mode for users whose OS blocks the app from selecting a save location instead of just crashing (impacts ~3% of all users)
• Added a concise help page for frequently asked questions
• Added automatic rotation using text recognition
• Added the ability to crop multiple pages at once, which is useful for when automatic cropping isn't available and all pages need the same crop
• The crop aspect ratio is now remembered across app sessions
• Unified the page list for PDFs and image files
• Added a context menu to the page list allowing users to duplicate pages or show their save location in File Explorer
• Fixed title bar buttons not being colored correctly when an app theme is forced
• Fixed users being able to skip the setup by closing the app or pressing the escape key
• Fixed zoom buttons sometimes not zooming in to the viewport center
• Added quick options for the "Open with" menu
• Users can now display the latest changelog in the settings
• Added Hungarian localization

2.2.6.0 - Hungarian

Includes a new localization.

2.2.5.0 - Catalan and Chinese

Includes new localizations.