Add changelog for v0.7-alpha pre-release: Introduce experimental features including Local Z reliability improvements, manual pattern mixed filaments, selective expansion/contraction controls, and a refreshed UI for mixed filaments. Enhance configuration options with surface indentation for mixed filament behavior tuning. Update PrintConfig and GUI components to support new features and improve user experience.

CHANGELOG_v0.7.md

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+## v0.7-alpha Pre-release
+
+EXPERIMENTAL BUILD - NOT TESTED
+Based on Snapmaker Orca v2.2.4
+
+v0.7 full spectrum alpha focuses on Local Z reliability, better mixed-filament control, and a cleaner custom Gradient/Pattern workflow.
+
+This has had limited testing on the Snapmaker U1 via the community.
+
+### What's New in v0.7
+
+#### Local Z Dithering Reliability (v0.7)
+- Improved handling for overlapping mixed-painted zones on the same XY plane.
+- Fixed cases where layer-height modulation could flatten or become equal when a second zone starts.
+- Fixed stale first-zone behavior where editing one gradient did not correctly update resulting layer heights.
+- Reduced repeated same-color layer runs in complex multi-zone transitions.
+- Mixed passes and base passes are separated more cleanly in perimeter clipping paths.
+
+#### Manual Pattern Mixed Filaments (v0.6, refined in v0.7)
+- Pattern add button in Mixed Filaments UI (alongside Gradient add).
+- Custom repeating layer patterns (for example `11112222` for a 4:4 ratio).
+- Pattern parser accepts `1/2` or `A/B` with separators (`/`, `-`, `_`, `|`, etc.).
+- Manual pattern takes precedence; blend percentage is auto-derived from the pattern.
+- Backward-compatible parsing for older custom mixed-row formats.
+
+#### Local Z Dithering Mode (v0.4, refined in v0.7)
+- Local Z dithering mode in Process -> Others (`dithering_local_z_mode`).
+- Mixed-painted zones are split into local sub-passes with pass-specific flow height.
+- Runtime guard remains active when wipe tower or wiping overrides are enabled.
+
+#### Selective Expansion/Contraction (v0.7)
+- Added selective expansion/contraction controls for mixed-color behavior tuning in challenging transition regions.
+- Intended to help with edge consistency where mixed passes interact with neighboring toolpaths.
+
+#### Mixed Filaments UI Refresh (v0.7)
+- More modern and compact layout for custom Gradient and Pattern mixed filaments.
+- Reduced spacing and tighter row cards for better readability with many mixed rows.
+- Cleaner preview area with summary inline for faster scanning.
+
+#### Config/Save/Load Reliability (v0.5 + v0.7 hardening)
+- Config comparison checks type and value.
+- Improved dirty-state detection, diffing, and unsaved-changes behavior.
+- Mixed filament project settings load more consistently.
+- Stronger logging for mixed-row parsing and config application.
+
+#### Same-layer Pointillisme (new in v0.7, experimental)
+- What it is: a same-layer color interleaving mode that tries to distribute multiple filaments inside a single layer instead of alternating by layer.
+- Goal: test whether very small in-layer color "dots" can produce smoother visual blends than normal layer cycling.
+- Status: extremely experimental and may produce unusable results.
+- Reality check: this is likely a dead end for production use on current hardware and may be removed or replaced in a future release.
+
+### Installation
+1. Download `Snapmaker_Orca.zip`.
+2. Extract to a folder.
+3. Run the executable.
+
+### Warning
+- Use at your own risk.
+- May produce incorrect G-code.
+- Local Z behavior is still experimental.
+- Seeking testers with U1 printers.
+
+### Features Not Yet Tested
+1. Local Z height dithering
+2. Patterns
+3. Selective expansion/contraction
+4. Advanced dithering
+5. Height-weight cadence
+
+### Known Issues
+- Untested on real hardware.
+- Local Z mode still needs validation with real prints.
+- Advanced dithering output may require calibration.
+- Pointillisme is research-grade only right now and is likely not viable for stable, repeatable prints.
+- Startup crash may still occur in some setups and needs further debugging.