🖼️ SHH Image Converter v4.1.1 - AI-Powered Edition

Professional image conversion tool with AI background removal and optimized startup

🚀 What's New in v4.1.1

🆕 Multi-Format Background Removal

• All Formats Supported: Background removal now works with PNG, WebP, and JPEG
• Smart Background Handling: Transparent for PNG, clean white background for others
• User Choice Preserved: No more forced format conversion to PNG
• Consistent Results: Preview accurately shows final output for all formats

🐛 Critical Bug Fixes

• Image Upscaling Fixed: Small images now properly scale up to target dimensions
• Preview Consistency: Final output matches preview exactly for all image sizes
• Quality Enhancement: LANCZOS resampling for smooth, high-quality scaling
• Fresh PC Compatibility: AI background removal now works offline on fresh installations
• Timeout Protection: Prevents indefinite hanging during AI initialization
• Model Bundling: 175MB U²-Net model included - no internet required for AI features

⚡ AI & Performance

• Lightning Fast Startup: 2-3 seconds (down from 15-25s)
• Offline AI: Background removal works without internet connectivity
• Multi-File Distribution: Optimized deployment for instant loading
• Smart Build Options: Choose between Complete (with AI) or Fast (without AI)
• Lazy AI Loading: Background removal loads only when needed

✨ AI Background Removal

• Deep Learning Model: U²-Net architecture (bundled offline, no download required)
• Multi-Format Support: Works with PNG (transparent), WebP/JPEG (white background)
• One-Click Operation: Simple checkbox to enable/disable AI processing
• Professional Quality: Maintains transparency and edge detail for all formats
• Batch Processing: Remove backgrounds from multiple images efficiently
• Memory Optimized: Smart session management with timeout protection
• Fresh PC Ready: Works immediately on clean Windows installations

🎨 Enhanced User Experience

• Optimized Loading Screen: Minimal startup delay with professional appearance
• Modern UI: Clean, intuitive interface with drag-and-drop support
• Real-time Preview: See changes before conversion (including AI effects)
• Status Updates: Clear feedback during processing with AI diagnostic info
• Settings Persistence: Remembers preferences between sessions

📦 Smart Distribution Options

• Complete Build: ~535MB with full offline AI functionality (2-3s startup)
• Fast Build: ~70MB without AI for rapid deployment
• Multi-File: Optimized architecture for instant loading
• Zero Dependencies: Works on fresh Windows 10/11 installations

🎯 Core Features

Image Processing

• 🔄 Multi-Format Support: WebP, JPEG, PNG with intelligent handling
• 📏 Custom Dimensions: Set output width/height with letterboxing
• ⚙️ Quality Control: Adjustable compression (1-100) for WebP/JPEG; disabled for PNG
• 🔍 Transparency: Preserves PNG transparency, flattens others to white
• ⚡ Batch Processing: Convert entire folders with progress tracking

AI Background Removal

• 🤖 Advanced AI: U²-Net deep learning model for precise cutouts
• 🎯 Professional Results: Clean edges with transparency preservation
• 💾 PNG Output: Automatically switches to PNG for transparency
• 🚀 Fast Processing: Optimized for speed and memory efficiency
• 🎨 Design Ready: Perfect for compositing and graphic design

📋 System Requirements

• Operating System: Windows 10/11 (64-bit)
• Memory: 4GB RAM minimum, 8GB recommended for AI processing
• Storage:
  • Complete Build: ~360MB (includes AI functionality)
  • Fast Build: ~70MB (basic conversion only)
  • AI Model Cache: ~176MB (downloaded on first AI use)
• Dependencies: None - completely standalone

🚀 Quick Start

Using the Standalone Executable

1. Download: Get the SHH_Image_Converter_v4_Complete folder (recommended)
   • Complete: Full AI functionality (~360MB, 2-3s startup)
   • Fast: Basic conversion only (~70MB, instant startup)
2. Launch: Run SHH_Image_Converter_v4_Complete.exe (loads in 2-3 seconds)
3. Select Source: Drag folder onto window or use Browse button
4. Select Destination: Choose output folder for converted images
5. Configure Settings:
   • Set output dimensions and format
   • Enable AI background removal if needed (forces PNG, disables quality)
   • Adjust quality settings for WebP/JPEG
6. Preview: Check the Preview tab to see results before conversion
7. Convert: Click Convert Images to start batch processing

Build Options (PowerShell)

# Install dependencies
python -m pip install --upgrade pip
python -m pip install -r requirements.txt

# Run from source
python image_converter.py

# Prepare AI model for bundling (optional - for offline builds)
python prepare_model.py

# Build complete version (recommended - includes AI)
python -m PyInstaller .\SHH_Image_Converter_v4_Complete.spec

# Build fast version (no AI, smaller size)
python -m PyInstaller .\SHH_Image_Converter_v4_Fast.spec

Note: The AI model (175MB) is not included in the repository. It will be automatically downloaded on first AI use, or you can run prepare_model.py to pre-download for offline bundling.

📊 Performance & Technical Details

Build Type	Startup Time	Size	AI Background Removal	Fresh PC Ready	Best For
Complete	2-3s	~535MB	✅ Bundled offline	✅ No downloads	Production use
Fast	<1s	~70MB	❌ Not included	✅ Basic features	Quick deployment
Legacy Single-File	15-25s	~360MB	✅ Online download	❌ Requires internet	Archive only

• AI Model: 175MB U²-Net bundled (no download required)
• AI Warmup: 2–3s on first AI use (model loading from bundled cache)
• Fresh PC: Works immediately - no dependencies or downloads
• Timeout Protection: AI operations limited to prevent hanging
• Memory Usage: ~1.5GB during AI processing
• Safety: Numeric fields are validated; empty/invalid width/height fall back to defaults
• Threading: UI remains responsive during conversion

🗂️ Project Structure

ImageToWebp/
├── image_converter.py      # Main application code (GUI, preview, conversion, AIManager)
├── loading_screen.py       # Optimized startup loading screen
├── config.json             # User settings
├── requirements.txt        # Pinned dependencies
├── SHH_Image_Converter_v4_Complete.spec    # Primary build (with AI)
├── SHH_Image_Converter_v4_Fast.spec        # Fast build (no AI)
├── SHH_Image_Converter_v4_SingleFile.spec  # Legacy build (deprecated)
├── .github/
│   ├── copilot-instructions.md
│   └── instructions/
│       ├── build.instructions.md
│       ├── gui.instructions.md
│       ├── docs.instructions.md
│       └── deps.instructions.md
├── docs/                   # Complete documentation (see docs/README.md)
│   ├── USER_GUIDE.md      # Complete user manual
│   ├── BUILD_GUIDE.md     # Build and deployment instructions
│   ├── TECHNICAL_GUIDE.md # Implementation details
│   ├── DEPLOYMENT_v4.1.1.md # Production deployment
│   └── BACKGROUND_REMOVAL_FIX.md # Fresh PC AI fix details
└── README.md

📚 Documentation

• Complete Documentation - Full documentation index
• User Guide - End user instructions
• Build Guide - Developer build instructions
• Technical Guide - Implementation details

📈 Version History

• v4.1.1: Critical fixes (upscaling, fresh PC AI compatibility, model bundling)
• v4.1: Performance optimization (2-3s startup), multi-file builds, lazy AI loading
• v4.0: AI background removal + loading screen + single-file EXE
• Earlier versions: batch processing, themes, preview, basic conversion

🤝 Contributing

Contributions welcome. Follow PEP 8, add type hints for new functions, and keep UI work off the main thread.

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SHH Image Converter v4.1 - Professional image processing with AI-powered background removal and lightning-fast startup