https://github.com/storytold/photocraft (Photoshop)

https://github.com/storytold/vectorcraft (Illustrator)

https://github.com/storytold/filmcraft (Premiere)

https://github.com/storytold/lightcraft (Lightroom)

https://github.com/storytold/printcraft (Acrobat Pro)

https://github.com/storytold/effectcraft (After Effects)

https://github.com/storytold/designcraft (InDesign)

What's the catch?

The speed that the Premier clone launches is mad.

I released something similar today: https://pixellect.app/

Though it was done roughly 1-2 months ago, a very busy work / private life kept me from finally releasing it. Interesting to see this being released on the same day. Though Pixellect has a different mission. Its not a clean room photoshop clone but more between Pixelmator and Photoshop and also features (I think) a bit more AI Integration. However Photocraft looks much more complete in terms of typical Photoshop features.

It was only 4 months ago that AI development was in question because there were no vibe-coded Photoshops. Here they are, and I think more will come.

Interesting but for photography at least, there's a massive hole: RAW support. What they've implemented is very limited and basic, nothing like parity with Lightroom or Photoshop. Just try loading a RAW photo into Lightroom/Photoshop and put the window next to Lightcraft/Photocraft - the results are completely different and not in a good way. Lightcraft's image looks like an amateur attempt at RAW processing from first principles, without any of the most basic colour profiles and adjustments that Lightroom applies. Photocraft doesn't even offer RAW processing, it just dumps the raster straight in.

I'd treat this as completely new, far from complete software heavily inspired by the Adobe Suite, rather than a "port".

But maybe folks who use workflows that don't involve RAW photos have better luck.

Unlimited slop works! Title kinda misleading (at least appears so to me). No rev. eng. (so "cleanroom" to be relevant) takes place. "ACS clone" would be more appropriate.

Previous thread:

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49958850

In two of its test cases, it changes the PSD on save so much that an export render differs. No RAW support. No folder sync or plugins. Limited brush support. It’s like the author never actually used their vibe-coded output and just decided it looked good enough.

The UI is great but even basic features are relatively incomplete. It has potential, I hope it gets to places.

One of the highlights in this for me is that we are starting to see clean room ports of software that companies would actually sue to protect.

Clearly the old "nobody would re-implement this" protection no longer works. I think we may stand on the brink of software losing a lot of it's magical DMCA protections, because it no longer matters. Or worse, the law becomes stricter.

I wonder if we're entering an era of boundless open-source clones and variants of proprietary software, from operating systems to games, products and services, perhaps even clones of entire companies.

Post AI - What is the future of making money with software? Desktop apps or SaaS? This certainly also would cut into the bottom line of software companies so they won't exist and then these companies are supposed to be the prime customers of the AI companies.

Can't understand what's happening.

PS: Anyone badmouthing the above rewrite is not understanding what's happening. Check back a year later for featur parity.

There are several of these clones floating around now. Who is furthest along in functionality and community support? Have any of these attracted a community of contributors?