Aphelion Image Editor

Aphelion is a professional, layer-based image editor for Linux, built with Python and PySide6. It provides Paint.NET-like functionality with 49 image effects, 21 tools, and extensive file format support.

✨ Features

🎨 Tools (21)

Category	Tools
Selection	Rectangle, Ellipse, Lasso, Magic Wand
Drawing	Brush, Pencil, Eraser (pressure sensitive), Smudge
Shapes	Line, Curve, Rectangle, Ellipse
Fill	Paint Bucket, Gradient (Linear, Radial, Conical, Diamond, Reflected)
Retouching	Clone Stamp, Recolor
Utility	Text, Color Picker, Zoom, Move Selected Pixels

🖼️ Effects (49)

Category	Effects
Adjustments	Invert, Invert Alpha, Brightness/Contrast, Hue/Saturation, Auto Level, Sepia, Curves, Levels, Posterize, Black & White, Color Balance
Blurs	Gaussian, Sharpen, Motion, Radial, Zoom, Surface, Median, Bokeh, Sketch, Unfocus
Distort	Pixelate, Bulge, Twist, Tile Reflection, Dents, Crystallize, 3D Rotate/Zoom, Polar Inversion, Frosted Glass
Stylize	Emboss, Edge Detect, Outline, Fragment, Drop Shadow, Channel Shift, Relief
Artistic	Oil Painting, Pencil Sketch, Ink Sketch
Photo	Vignette, Glow, Red Eye Removal
Noise	Add Noise, Reduce Noise
Render	Clouds, Julia Fractal, Mandelbrot Fractal

📁 File Formats

• Import: PNG, JPEG, WebP, TIFF, BMP, GIF, TGA, ICO, PPM, SVG
• Export: PNG, JPEG, WebP, TIFF, BMP, GIF, TGA, ICO, PPM
• Project: .aphelion (non-destructive layer preservation)

🎭 Additional Features

• Layer System: Unlimited layers with blend modes, opacity, and masks.
• Visual Thumbnails: Real-time layer previews.
• Selection Tools: Advance operations like Feather, Expand, Contract, Invert.
• Undo/Redo: Full history with visual timeline.
• Plugin System: Extend with Python scripts.
• Themes: Light and Dark mode.
• Image Strip: Paint.NET-style open document thumbnails.

🚀 Quick Start

# Clone repository
git clone https://github.com/RecursiveIntell/Aphelion.git
cd Aphelion

# Create virtual environment
python3 -m venv venv
source venv/bin/activate

# Install dependencies
pip install PySide6 numpy scipy pycairo

# Run
./run.sh
# OR
export PYTHONPATH=src
python3 -m aphelion

🔌 Plugin Development

Aphelion supports plugins for adding custom effects and tools.

Plugin locations:

• ./plugins/ (project directory)
• ~/.aphelion/plugins/ (user directory)

See PLUGIN_DEV.md for development guide.

Included plugins:

• Sepia Filter
• Star Stamp Tool

🧪 Testing

# Run all verification tests
python verify_all.py

📋 Requirements

• Python 3.10+
• PySide6
• NumPy, SciPy
• PyCairo (Cairo-based rendering backend)
• Linux (tested on Fedora/Nobara)

Installing PyCairo

# pip (usually works)
pip install pycairo

# Fedora/RHEL (if pip fails)
sudo dnf install cairo-devel

# Ubuntu/Debian (if pip fails)
sudo apt install libcairo2-dev

📄 License

MIT License

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Aphelion - A professional image editor for Linux