Technology1 min read

Show HN: Lampka – a Windows PDF reader whose dark mode keeps figures in colour

By · Published by Everything Blog

In short

The software introduces an adaptive dark mode that recolors backgrounds and text while leaving original illustrations, diagrams, and photos untouched. A built-in library system monitors reading progress to the exact line, retaining saved positions and annotations even when underlying files are renamed or relocated. While core navigation tools like page rulers and two-page spreads are free, power features like citation hover previews and split views are packaged in a paid tier. All new users receive a 14-day trial of the advanced features before it transitions to a one-time purchase model.

Key points

  • Researchers can view visual assets in their original colors while reading documents in an…: Researchers can view visual assets in their original colors while reading documents in an inverted dark mode.
  • Advanced features like citation hover previews and Markdown highlight exports will transi…: Advanced features like citation hover previews and Markdown highlight exports will transition to a one-time purchase after the beta.
  • The application guarantees document privacy by working entirely offline and avoiding mand…: The application guarantees document privacy by working entirely offline and avoiding mandatory account registration.

Sources checked by our analysis pipeline: 1

Built for theses, papers, reports and bundles

Long documents keep sending you to a reference, a footnote or an exhibit. Lampka takes you there and brings you back to where you were.

Citations without losing your place Pro

Hover over a citation, figure or link to see where it leads. Click through, and Back brings you straight home.

Two places at once Pro

Split view shows the same document twice: the text beside its footnotes, references or exhibits. Links can open in the other pane.

Listen when your eyes are tired Pro

Read aloud with your computer's own voices, offline. It follows along sentence by sentence, skips headers and citation numbers, and remembers where you stopped.

Page numbers that match the print Free

Lampka uses the document's own page labels, so "see page xii" or "A-14" takes you to the right page.

Keep your line Free

A reading ruler marks the lines you're on, or dims everything else, so dense pages stay easy to follow. Let it follow your mouse, or keep it still while the page scrolls under it.

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