BetterSeed

A practical Snapseed mod for editable projects, safer exports, and power-user controls.

Keep the familiar Snapseed workflow where it already works. Extend the parts that matter for real project reuse, exact control, and stable export behavior.

Install · Features · FAQ · Development · Notice · Changelog

BetterSeed is an independent Snapseed mod release line focused on keeping the app practical, editable, and export-safe. This repository is the standalone public home for releases, install docs, changelog, and project-level notes.

If stock Snapseed is your reference point, the BetterSeed approach is narrow on purpose: preserve the original flow where it already works, then patch the seams that actually block day-to-day project work.

Why People Use It

• Separate BetterSeed package identity
• Stock photo picker restored for normal open
• Separate Open project entry in both Home and editor toolbar
• Editable .snpsd save/open flow
• Save project stays in the editor
• Reopened projects stay editable while regular photo export still works
• Embedded source kept, edits_cache removed
• .bslook import/export
• Preview fidelity improvements
• Curves 99 support
• Configurable global range expansion and boundary setting
• No-resize full-res export fix
• Export as -> SAVE fixed
• View edits delete/edit roundtrip fixes
• Lens Blur re-edit stability fix
• Retrolux Brightness/Contrast safe stock clamp under expanded boundaries
• Shared numeric controls with exact value entry and hold-repeat
• English-only BetterSeed custom UI across all locales
• Author channel link

What The New Features Actually Do

• Editable .snpsd projects let you save work as a real project, reopen it later, and continue editing instead of being stuck with a flat exported image.
• Open project gives project files their own entry point, so normal photo opening stays simple and project reopening stays predictable.
• Embedded source, no edits_cache keeps the project self-contained and portable without dragging along the temporary cache that used to get in the way.
• No-resize full-res export removes the hidden export cap that could silently shrink large images even when you expected full size.
• Export as -> SAVE fix makes folder-based export finish cleanly instead of throwing you back to the home screen with a load error.
• View edits roundtrip fixes mean deleting or reopening a history step now survives the return back to the editor instead of getting lost.
• Lens Blur re-edit stability fix closes a real reopen crash where returning to Lens Blur from View edits could fail before the tool became usable.
• Retrolux safety carve-out keeps Retrolux Brightness and Retrolux Contrast on stock [-100, +100] even when the BetterSeed global boundary is expanded, which prevents Retrolux from crashing while leaving the other Retrolux controls expanded.
• Numeric controls add - / value / +, hold-repeat, and exact number input for tools where the stock slider was too vague.
• Global range expansion widens the allowed adjustment range when the stock limits are too conservative.
• .bslook, Curves 99, and preview fidelity improve reusable looks, give more room for curve work, and keep the on-screen preview closer to the real result.
• English-only BetterSeed UI keeps BetterSeed-specific additions on one consistent public-facing English layer across every locale.

Current Canon

Accepted baseline:

• Build: 20260410T193231Z
• SHA-256: cc67b58477e43769fa59b17ccb9078844837e9a7c0f81d1e851ddd59bd1c3bd7

This is the current accepted release line. If a later release is published, the release page becomes the source of truth for the newest public artifact.

Install

Follow docs/install.md for the current release path.

Default File Locations

• Projects (.snpsd): Download/BetterSeed Projects
• Styles (.bslook): Download/BetterSeed Styles
• Export as is folder-picker based, so flat photo exports can be saved wherever you choose

Integrity

Accepted release checksum:

• Build: 20260410T193231Z
• SHA-256: cc67b58477e43769fa59b17ccb9078844837e9a7c0f81d1e851ddd59bd1c3bd7

Verify the downloaded artifact before installing it.

Disclaimer

BetterSeed is an independent Snapseed mod. It is not affiliated with Google. Public releases may evolve conservatively; release stability is prioritized over shipping every experiment.

License And Project Note

Repository-authored public materials are released under GPL-3.0. BetterSeed is published as a free hobby release; the author does not monetize this project and does not offer paid commercial licensing, paid support, or commercial endorsement through this repository.

See NOTICE.md for scope and wording.