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Weekly Recap: Better AI Edits, New Background Removal Workflows & Virtual Group Undo/Redo 🎨✨

Weekly Recap: Better AI Edits, New Background Removal Workflows & Virtual Group Undo/Redo 🎨✨
Hey photo friends! 👋

Candy here with this week’s updates! The biggest changes are in Candy Image Studio and Auto Editor, where several popular edits now cost less, produce more consistent results, and work more naturally with Background Removal workflows.

We’ve also added undo and redo to Virtual Group Builder, improved green screen cutouts, and cleaned up a few retail download issues.

Let’s take a look!

🎨 Candy Image Studio: Better Results & New Lower-Cost Edits

Several Candy Image Studio nodes have been reworked with more consistent output quality and new discounted pricing.

Improved Black & White edits — now 4¢

  • Both existing Black & White nodes have been rebuilt to produce more reliable, consistent results.

Improved Retouch — now 6¢

  • The Retouch node now produces much more consistent results and is available at a lower price.

🎞️ New 35mm Film node — 4¢

  • The previous Film Style node has been replaced with a new and improved 35mm Film treatment.

📸 New Clarendon node — 4¢

  • Apply a look inspired by the familiar Clarendon-style social media filter.

💳 More flexible edit pricing

Some nodes now display their own lower price. Candy Image Studio charges based on the highest-priced node included in the edit.

For example:

  • An edit using only a 4¢ node costs
  • If that same edit also includes a standard node, normal 2K or 4K pricing applies

This lets simpler edits cost less when you're not using the more advanced edits!

✂️ New Background Removal Options for AI Edits

Candy Image Studio and Auto Editor now work more closely with Events using Background Removal folders.

🖼️ Candy Image Studio can send an edit into Background Removal

  • When editing an Event image, a new option appears beneath Mark Original Invisible if the Event has Background Removal folders enabled.
  • Select Mark Destination Folder as Background Removal Folder to upload the edited image into a folder that will also process it for background removal.

⚙️ Auto Editor adds a Background Removal size option

  • If Background Removal folders are enabled, you can choose Background Removal. Edited images will then upload into a folder marked for Background Removal.

🛠️ Auto Editor folder fix

  • Auto Edits now run properly on original images inside folders marked for Background Removal. Auto Editor still does not run on the completed cutout images themselves.

All of the new node pricing and quality improvements in Candy Image Studio also apply to Auto Editor, since Auto Editor is powered by the same system.

↩️ Virtual Group Builder: Undo & Redo

Virtual Group Builder now supports familiar keyboard shortcuts:

  • ↩️ Undo: CMD/CTRL + Z
  • ↪️ Redo: CMD/CTRL + Shift + Z
  • ↪️ Redo: CMD/CTRL + Y

This makes it much easier to experiment with layouts and quickly reverse an adjustment.

🖼️ Manage Images Improvement

⬇️ Download Original for BGR and AI images

  • The Manage Images lightbox now includes a Download Original button for Background Removal and AI-edited images.

You can access the original file without needing to leave the lightbox or track it down manually.

✂️ Background Removal Improvement

🟢 Better green screen cutouts

  • Background Removal now handles images more effectively when the background is only partially green screen instead of completely green.

🛍️ Retail Download Fixes

📥 Improved QuicEvents press-and-hold downloads

  • Download behavior is more reliable on desktop and Android for Events without artwork.

🖼️ Free Gallery Download resolution fixed

  • Free Gallery Downloads on QuicEvents now correctly deliver full-resolution images instead of medium resolution.

🧲 Photo Magnet artwork fix

  • Photo Magnets will no longer be ordered with Event artwork when Use Artwork by Default is enabled, since artwork is not supported on that product.

📱 Mobile Dashboard 4.1 for Android

💰 New “Cha Ching” notification sound

  • Weekly order notifications on Android now include the same Cha Ching sound effect already available on iOS.

👉 Swipe to open the Sidebar

  • Swipe inward from the left edge of the screen to open the Sidebar, matching the iOS experience.

🤖 Google Play compatibility updates

  • The app also includes required changes for the latest Google Play requirements.

That’s the week!

Lower-cost AI edits, stronger and more consistent results, and better Background Removal integration should make Candy Image Studio and Auto Editor more useful for both one-off fixes and larger Event workflows.

Keep creating magic,

Candy 🍬

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📸 Candy’s 12 Days of Christmas: Day 12 – Photo Booth Mode! 🎄🎉
Feature Updates
December 25, 2024

📸 Candy’s 12 Days of Christmas: Day 12 – Photo Booth Mode! 🎄🎉

10
 minutes read
Hello, my festive photographers!

Candy here, and Merry Christmas to those who celebrate.

We’ve arrived at the 12th Day of Christmas, and I’m thrilled to unwrap our biggest new feature of 2024—Photo Booth Mode in the Capture & Upload App!

The new NowCandid Capture & Upload App Version that includes Photo Booth Mode will be going live at the end of December,... this very month!

Let’s get into the holiday spirit and explore everything this mode has to offer. 🎁

What Is Photo Booth Mode? 🤶

Photo Booth Mode is a brand-new option inside our Capture & Upload App—you’ll see a shiny new “Photo Booth” button once you log in to an Event and create a Folder (after the update of course).

Give that Photo Booth button a tap, and voilà: your iPad turns into a photo booth station where guests can snap fun pictures with minimal hassle!

  • Multiple Camera Options: Tether a Nikon, Sony, or Canon camera, or use your iPad’s front-facing camera, depending on your particular photo booth setup.
  • Solid Internet Connection Required: The app downloads any custom overlays or backgrounds you’ve set on the web dashboard, and live-uploading images of course requires an internet connection, so stable Wi-Fi or LTE is essential!

It’s perfect for holiday parties, corporate shindigs, weddings, or any event where a lighthearted photo booth can bring on the smiles!

The Photo Booth Flow ⏱️

Here’s how Photo Booth Mode keeps your guests engaged:

  1. Tap to Begin Screen: A dimmed live view awaits guests to tap and start. Once they do, the booth will let them know to get ready for three photos.
  2. Three Countdown Shots: Each shot has a 3-second countdown followed by a short preview of the taken pic after each shot. If your event uses a Bottom Banner Overlay or Full Frame Overlay, it shows up in the live view, so no one ends up hidden behind the graphics!
  3. Instant Delivery & Overlays: In Events using the FreePics Program, each photo is sent via MMS with the overlay art included! And with every NowCandid Program, a gallery link is delivered where retail site users can download images and order photo products.

Guests can hop in, pose, and receive fun, branded photos—no fuss required! 🎉

On-Device Backgrounds & Filters 🎨

Before finalizing those memorable pics, guests can personalize them right on the device:

  • Background Selection: If you’ve uploaded custom backgrounds on the web dashboard, the app fetches them before the booth session. Guests can pick from these in addition to several default backgrounds, great for holiday vibes or brand-specific themes.
  • Filter Options: Classic filters like Noir, Sepia, Clarendon, and others let participants get creative.
  • Reshoot Button: Not happy with the shot? Guests can “Reshoot” and start the session over at any time.

This ensures a lively, interactive experience that encourages guests to come back for more snaps. ⛄

Positive ID vs. Face Matching 🧐

After styling, the next step depends on your event’s workflow:

  • For Face Matching Events: Guests are guided to tap the faces they see on-screen, and then can enter contact info for each face! If this is their first or only reference photo for the Event, it will also match them to shots taken outside the Photo Booth!
  • For Positive ID Events: A simpler approach: participants just type in their contact info and send off the images! Easy peasy.

Either way, photos head straight to their phones via FreePics (if you’re using that Program) and will always land in their personal gallery. 🔔

Seamless Integration with NowCandid 💖

Photo Booth Mode plugs right into your existing NowCandid features:

  • Selfie Check-In & LiveLoop: Photo booth images appear in your LiveLoop feed if you’re displaying one at the event. Selfie Check-Ins can still match participants to their booth photos too if they don't self-identify during their photo booth session!
  • FreePics & PartyPics: The images upload instantly, letting your guests receive them right away via MMS (with FreePics), or find them in their personal gallery for easy purchase or free download (with every Program).

It’s the same NowCandid ecosystem you know—just dressed up in a festive booth format! 🎄

Requirements & Limitations 🎅

A few notes to keep in mind:

  • Camera Orientation:
    • Nikon supports horizontal and vertical live view.
    • Sony/Canon currently only support horizontal orientation for tethered cameras.
  • iPad-Only for Now:
    • Photo Booth Mode works on iPad in vertical orientation, not on iPhone or Windows.
  • No Built-In Printing:
    • If you need on-site prints, consider setting up your own print station with a computer and a printer! Use quic.pics/portal to access your Event images, and then download images with or without overlays to print them on-site.
  • We Value Feedback:
    • Missing something? Let us know! Your input shapes our next updates.

Why Photo Booth Mode Is a Holiday Treat 🎁

  • Interactive & Fun: Guests love choosing backgrounds, filters, and overlays, making the booth a memorable attraction.
  • Fully Integrated: Works seamlessly with FreePics, PartyPics, LiveLoop, Face Matching, and more.
  • Revenue & Engagement Boost: Branded overlays, holiday backgrounds, or sponsor tie-ins can lead to higher sales and delighted clients.

This mode is a surefire way to add a dash of cheer to any event—holiday-themed or otherwise! ✨

That’s all for now, folks.

We hope Photo Booth Mode adds a dash of magic to your season and beyond.

And thank you for following along with our 12 Days of Christmas!

Enjoy this new feature, and as always, keep capturing the moments that matter most.

Reminder: The new NowCandid Capture & Upload App Version that includes Photo Booth Mode will be going live at the end of December, this month!

Candy 🍬

📸 Candy’s 12 Days of Christmas: Day 11 – Candy Account Integration (Beta) 🎄🤖
Feature Updates
December 24, 2024

📸 Candy’s 12 Days of Christmas: Day 11 – Candy Account Integration (Beta) 🎄🤖

3
 minutes read
Hello again, my ever-curious photographers! 🎅

Candy here, and welcome to Day 11 of our 12 Days of Christmas countdown.

Today’s spotlight is a feature still in its early stages, but full of potential: the Candy Account Integration (Beta). Since it’s Christmas Eve, what better time to peek at a promising work-in-progress?

Key Highlights:

  • Account-Level Insights:

    When using Candy through the Web Dashboard, you can ask about your account’s metrics, such as sales over a certain period or the number of events in specific categories.
  • A Learning AI Assistant:

    Candy’s not perfect yet—she might make mistakes—but this beta integration is a step toward providing instant answers without leaving the dashboard.
  • Future Potential:

    With more opportunities to learn and refine, Candy will become a more knowledgeable and accurate assistant, helping you navigate your data more efficiently.

This beta feature hints at a future where you can access business insights on the fly. 🎉

Check back tomorrow, December 25th, for the final day of our countdown. We’ll be unwrapping something truly special—our biggest new feature of 2024. Don’t miss it!

Candy 🍬

📸 Candy’s 12 Days of Christmas: Day 10 – The Find Me Portal 🎄🔍
Feature Updates
December 23, 2024

📸 Candy’s 12 Days of Christmas: Day 10 – The Find Me Portal 🎄🔍

3
 minutes read
Hello once more, my resourceful photographers! 🎅

Candy here, and welcome to Day 10 of our 12 Days of Christmas countdown. Today’s highlight is the Find Me Portal, a tool that made it simpler and more secure for end users to locate their personal galleries.

Key Highlights:

  • Convenient Access:

    Clients visit quic.pics/find-me, enter their phone number or email, and receive a unique link tied to that contact information.
  • All Galleries in One Place:

    That link displays every personal gallery associated with their contact info, helping them quickly find and enjoy their images from multiple events.
  • Enhanced Privacy & Security:

    By sending the link directly to their provided contact details, we ensured no one else could stumble upon their galleries. It’s both user-friendly and secure.

This feature made it easier than ever for clients to find their photos, improving customer satisfaction and reducing support inquiries. 🎉

Check back tomorrow for Day 11, as we near the end of our festive journey through 2024’s top features. And don’t forget—something extra special awaits on December 25th!

Candy 🍬

Let’s get in touch

If you’re a photographer looking to add NowCandid™ services to your wheelhouse, set up a call with us!

How to customize formatting for each rich text

How to customize formatting for each rich text

How to customize formatting for each rich text

How to customize formatting for each rich text

How to customize formatting for each rich text
How to customize formatting for each rich text

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