Use the Analog Efex Pro 3 module and enjoy a nostalgic trip back in time by simulating a host of vintage cameras or shooting techniques, and by combining a plethora of well-designed and realistic camera and lens effects, film types and paper prints – including their intrinsic flaws.
Preferences and help
The various settings in Analog Efex Pro let you choose your preferences for the interface, GPU acceleration, image output and language. Help gives you access to the user guide and a range of online services.
Preferences
To access Preferences:
- Mac: click on the Analgo Efex Pro menu at the top left of the screen, then select Preferences.
- PC: go to the File menu, then select Preferences.
The Preferences window comprises a single tab named General. It offers the following options (from top to bottom):
- Preview mode*: Lets you choose how images will be displayed when you open the app, either Single image preview, or Split preview (the image is separated by a line, with Before corrections on the left, After corrections on the right), or Side by side preview (the two versions of the image, before and after corrections, are displayed next to each other).
- Background color*: You can select the level of gray for the background appearance: white, gray, dark gray, black.
- Default zoom status*: sets the zoom value to be applied when the app is opened, from Fit (adapted to screen) to 3:1 (300 %).
- GPU**: check this box if you want Analog Efex Pro to use your computer’s video card to perform calculations.
- TIFF compression: Choose between LZW compression, which reduces file size, or no compression.
- JPEG Quality: Adjusts the compression and quality of JPEG files generated when saving your work in Analog Efex Pro. The default setting is 80%, a good compromise between file size and quality.
- Language**: the Nik Collection offers a choice of 17 languages.
- Reset: Click the Reset button to reset the settings to the default values and options.
* By default, if you do not change this option, it is the setting previously used that will be applied.
**Changes are applied the next time you launch the plug-in.
Shared options and settings selected in one of the modules will apply to all Nik Collection plug-ins.
To save your Preferences:
- On Mac: click on the red button at the top left of the screen to exit the Preferences window (the changes are automatically saved, some are applied the next time you launch the app – see list above).
- On PC, click Save to register the changes (some are applied the next time you launch the app – see list above). You can exit the window without saving the changes – either click on Cancel or on the red button at the top right of the screen.
Help
To access the online help links, go the the Help menu (Internet connection required):
- User Guide*: consult online or download the PDF file.
- Frequently Asked Questions*: answers to common questions about Analog Efex Pro.
- Online support*: report problems and ask questions, after creating a support ticket.
- Learning Hub*: tutorials, videos, webinars.
- Open/Close Instant Help: enable or disable the Instant Help section at the bottom of the left pane. An explanatory text pops up when you hover over certain elements and tools in Analog Efex Pro with the mouse.
- Check for updates*: if an update is available, you can download and install it. When you install the update, you will be prompted to close Nik Collection and its host programs.
- About (Mac)/About Analaog Efex Pro (PC): displays the home screen with the number of the version installed.
*Requires an internet connection
Interface
Analog Efex Pro 3 comprises the following elements:
- The menu bar
- The upper toolbar
- The image display area
- The left panel (Filters and Presets).
- The right panel (tools).
- The lower toolbar
The menu bar
Mac:
The menu bar at the top of the Analog Efex Pro 3 window includes the following menus:
- Analog Efex Pro 3: gives access to Preferences.
- Edit: contains the Undo and Redo commands, to undo or redo previous actions one by one, as well as the Apply Last Edit command, which lets you apply corrections made to another image during a previous session with Analog Efex Pro to a new image.
- Help: contains links to the User Guide, DxO support, etc.
PC:
The menu bar at the top of the Analog Efex Pro 3 window includes the following menus:
- File: gives access to Settings.
- Edit: contains the Undo and Redo commands, to undo or redo previous actions one by one, as well as the Apply Last Edit command, which lets you apply corrections made to another image during a previous session with Analog Efex Pro to a new image.
- Help: contains links to the User Guide, DxO support, etc.
The upper toolbar
The upper toolbar includes the display, comparison, and zoom tools.
The Compare buttons let you compare your image before and after processing:
- Alternate: click on the button to display the image before proccessing, release to display the processed image.
- Split vertically or horizontally: divides the image in two with a vertical line that you can move left or right, or toggle to horizontal mode by clicking on the arrow in the centre of the line, which you can move freely up or down. The left half (or upper half) displays the image before any corrections were applied, while the right half (or lower half) displays the processed and corrected image. You can zoom and move synchronously around both halves of the image, either using the browser tools or using the Hand tool, accessed by pressing the spacebar.
- One above the other or side-by-side preview: the pre-processed version is shown at the top, the post-processed version at the bottom. You can also display both versions of the image side by side by clicking on the button between the two. You can also zoom and move synchronously around the two images, either using the browser tools or the Hand tool, accessed by pressing the spacebar.
Zoom +/Zoom -: use to change the scale of the image displayed:
- Fit: adapted to your screen size to show the full image in the image display area.
- Fill: displays the image so that it fills the entire display area (the image is thus cropped).
- 1:1: zoom value equivalent to 100 % (1 pixel of the image = 1 pixel of the screen).
- 2:1: zoom equivalent to 200%.
- Other zoom values: click on the arrows to select other zoom values from the menu. When you select one of these values, it is displayed in the 2:1 button.
You can also press the spacebar to zoom in; release the spacebar to zoom back out. In this case, the image will be zoomed to 1:1 (100%).
Whenever you zoom in on an image (including in Fill mode), a floating window is displayed to the top right of the image display zone. You can move around the image by clicking and dragging the tile or by clicking in the floating navigation window.
The image display area
This is where the image is displayed, on a medium grey background, which you can change in the Settings.
Below the image you will find the following information:
- If you have opened several images, a small horizontal scrollbar lets you switch from one to the next.
- File name and extension If the image has EXIF metadata, the shooting and material settings will also be displayed.
- You will also see the box to be checked to select non-destructive work mode.
To gain space to display your image, you can use the Tab key on your keyboard to hide/unhide the two side panels at the same time.
The left panel
Camera kit and Cameras
The left panel comprises a Kit section, which you can use to create your own camera presets based on the 14 effects available, as well as a Camera section offering 96 presets split into 13 categories.
When you select an effect from the Kit section, a yellow bar is displayed on the left of the selected effect and the associated tools are displayed int he right panel. This lets you choose your own settings and save them as custom presets. Of course, you can select and combine several effects. To do so, hover your mouse over an effect to display the “+” button, then click on this to display the tools in the right panel. To remove an effect, hover over it with the mouse and click on the “-” button. Please note that the Basic adjustments tools are always displayed, regardless of the selected effect or camera.
To select a category, in the Cameras section, click on one of the tiles: the frame will turn yellow and the left panel will display the associated thumbnails. These thumbnails use the image open in the plug-in. If the image is framed horizontally, the thumbnails are arranged in a single column, and if the image is framed verticallly, the thumbnails are grouped in pairs.
You can mark a Camera as a favourite; your favourites are marked with a gold star. To find your favourite or recently used filters, click on the Filter by buttons.
To hide or unhide the content of a section, click on the chevron on the right. The figure indicates the number of presets in each section and, depending on the section, you can use the double arrow to save, import or export a preset.
The Custom section is used to create and manage your own presets. In the Import section, you can upload presets shared by other users. Finally, the History section lists all the corrections and settings applied to the selected image.
In each section, you can filter the presets to show your favourites or recently used presets. You can also hide or unhide the left panel, either by clicking on its right-hand edge or pressing the L key.
Finally, the Instant Help section displays information about the various tools when you hover over them with the mouse. Enable or disable this in the Help menu > Open/Close Instant Help.
For more information on how the Custom and Import sections work
The History section
The History section shows all the processing and correction steps of your image – effects of the camera kit, application of a camera, corrections, and associated effects – from the top (oldest) to the bottom (most recent).
To view the image at a particular stage, click on that stage in the list. The selected step is displayed in yellow, all previous steps (above) are white, and all subsequent steps (below) are greyed out: if you correct the image at this point, the greyed out steps will not be applied to the image.
In split view or side-by-side display mode, you can move the history selector (the yellow arrow on the left edge of the section) to apply a step from the processing history to the left view.
The right panel
The right panel shows the following sections, based on the filters selected in the left panel, along with the permanent sections and tools:
- The magnification loupe and histogram (permanently shown).
- The basic adjustments (permanently shown) and the Camera kit effects.
- Vary button
The Loupe and Histogram section
When you scroll the contents of the right panel upwards, the Loupe and Histogram disappear from view. Click on the pin on the right in the section header to lock the section in place (scroll down for the other tools).
The Loupe section is always available, regardless of the tools used:
- The loupe permanently shows an enlarged preview of the image area hovered over by the mouse. It is divided by a vertical yellow lie, the left-hand side showing the image before processing and the right-hand side after processing.
- The Loupe can be locked at any point in the image by clicking on the pin and then in the image (tilted pin: disabled, vertical pin: enabled).
- When you enable one of the zoom modes, the loupe is centred by default. You can move around the image by grabbing the tile or by clicking in the floating navigation window.
- To move around in the loupe, you need to unlock the pin.
The Histogram section is always available too, regardless of the tools used:
The histogram shows the distribution of the brightness levels of the pixels in the selected image, with shadows on the left, midtones in the centre, and highlights on the right, with the peaks corresponding to the number of pixels per brightness range.
Click on the buttons to view the histogram in different ways:
- RGB: default indication, covering the 3 channels Red, Green, Blue as well as the complementary colours Cyan, Magenta and Yellow, according to the additive color principle.
- R: displays the red channel only.
- G: displays the greenchannel only.
- B: displays the blue channel only.
- L: displays the overall brightness values.
Because you can display the brightness values per channel, you can adjust your tonality (exposure, contrast) and color settings more accurately.
The histogram can also be used to display the clipped values in the image, shown as masks whose color corresponds to the RGB channel and/or the complementary colour affected. This is especially important as Analog Efex Pro provides tools that can significantly impact brightness and contrast.
To show the clipping masks, click in the histogram or on the button(s) in the top corners: left for clipped shadows and blacks, and left for clipped highlights and whites.
Basic adjustments and Camera kit effects
The Basic Adjustments section is displayed when you open an image in Analog Efex Pro and is shown regardless of the Camera Kit effect or the Camera applied to the image. It is used to make basic corrections to tonality (brightness and contrast), color saturation and detail extraction. These corrections may be applied across the whole image or selectively, using the control points.
Every time you add a Camera Kit effect or a Camera, the associated tools are displayed below the Basic Adjustments section.
You will find more information on the Basic Adjustment and Camera Kit tools in the section describing the Camera Kit effects.
Although the tools and sliders available depend on the filter(s) and preset selected, the sections share some common features:
- Box to check to disable/enable all the tools in the filter (for a quick comparison with and without the corrections and effects applied).
- Double arrow to reset the filter (keeping the local adjustments or not) and copy/paste the control points.
- An “X” button to close the section (which also disables the effects and corrections applied).
- A chevron to collapse or expand the section’s content.
Vary button
When you apply a Camera Kit effect or a Camera preset, an array of tools are displayed in the right panel. The Vary button is a simple way of changing or adjusting the settings proposed by the effect applied, in small increments and with no effort on your part. Every time you click on this button, it will make slight adjustments to the various cursors, but without altering the effects applied, for example a type of scratch or type of film (which you can always change yourself in the sections displayed).
When using the Vary button, whenever you find a look and adjustments that suit you, you can create a custom preset.
The lower toolbar
The lower toolbar includes the following information and features:
- File source: indicates the name of the host application.
- Cancel: cancels the current processing and corrections and closes the plugin. The image in the host application is not modified.
- Apply: saves the processing and corrections and closes the plug-in. The image in the host application is modified. If you have more than one image open, the button shows “Apply…” (short for “Apply to all”).
Keyboard shortcuts
| Action | Windows | Macintosh |
| Clipped highlights | Shift + H | Shift + H |
| Clipped shadows | Shift + S | Shift + S |
| Cancel | Ctrl + Z | Cmd + Z |
| Redo | Ctrl + Y | Cmd + Y |
| Full Screen | F | F |
| Preview | P | P |
| Show/Hide Control Palettes | Tab | Tab |
| Apply Filter | Enter | Backspace |
| Cancel Filter | Esc | Esc |
| Zoom | Spacebar | Spacebar |
| Zoom In | Ctrl + “+” | Cmd + “+” |
| Zoom Out | Ctrl + “-“ | Cmd + “-“ |
| Zoom to fit | Ctrl + 0 | Cmd + 0 |
| Zoom to 100 % | Ctrl + Alt + 0 | Cmd + Alt + 0 |
| Delete a control point or blur point | Delete | Delete |
Camera Kit
As its name suggests, the Camera Kit lets you create your own camera in Analog Efex Pro, using and combining the different effects described below.
Basic Adjustments
Use these tools to adjust the basic characteristics of the image — detail, brightness, contrast, and saturation.
| Detail Extraction | Lets you control how much detail is accentuated. Increasing the value of this slider amplifies details while lightening shadows and tamping down highlights. As a result, the tone is distributed more evenly throughout the photo. |
| Brightness | Controls the overall brightness of the image. |
| Contrast | Controls the overall contrast of the image. |
| Saturation | Controls the overall saturation of colors in a photo. |
| Control Points | Used to selectively apply corrections to the various sliders in the panel and adjust their opacity. |
Lens Distortion
Try out the optical distortion properties typical of lenses with extreme focal lengths. Apply concave or convex distortion, or the color fringes of chromatic aberrations.
| Type of Distortion | Drag the slider to the left to apply pincushion (concave) distortion or to the right for barrel (convex) distortion. |
| Chromatic Shift | Controls the extent to which a chromatic change appears. |
| Chromatic Aberration | Select the color combination for the fringes caused by chromatic aberration. |
| Defocus | Gradually introduces blur throughout the entire image. |
Bokeh
Apply the Bokeh filter to creatively control image sharpness. Use the Insert to Image control to adjust the size and shape of the blurred area or to move the focus away from the center, if desired.
| Bokeh Style | Choose between elliptical or tilt/shift blur. |
| Blur Strength | Lets you determine the amount of blur applied to the photo. |
| Optimize Highlights | Lets you increase the intensity of the highlights in the blurred area. |
| Aperture Shape | Click the arrows to choose from several shapes to apply to blurred highlights. |
| Aperture Rotation | Adjusts the angle at which the aperture shape is set. |
| Aperture Variation | Drag the slider to the left for a concave aperture shape or to the right for a convex aperture shape. |
Zoom & Rotate Blur
Apply a creative blur effect around the centre of the image as if zooming and rotating to draw the eye into the image. Use the Insert command on the image to move the focus away from the centre, if desired.
| Protect Centre | Adjusts the size of the targeted centre area. |
| Zoom Strength | Controls the amount of blur applied to the image for zoom movement. |
| Rotation Strength | Controls the amount of blur applied to the image for rotational movement. |
Motion Blur
Create motion, distortion, or texture in the image to make it appear as if the camera or subject is moving. Use multiple vector points to customize the appearance of the desired movement.
| Blur Strength | Controls the amount of blur applied to the image during directional movement. |
| Add Blur Point | To add vector points, click Add a blur point, and then click in the image to insert the point. Click and drag the point at the end of the vector to change the direction or the extent of the vector. Use the Delete key on your keyboard to quickly delete the last inserted point. |
Double Exposure
Apply this filter to recreate the silver emulsion, analog, effect of two images being captured on a single frame. Choose to overlay a second image on top of the first, or use the frame inlay to overlay, shift and enlarge the same image twice.
| Second Exposure | By default, the original image is duplicated and appears as a second exposure. Click the “+” button to replace it with another .tif or .jpg image instead. |
| Exposure | Protects the overall brightness and contrast of the single image generated by the double exposure. |
| Exposure Balance | Controls the opacity of the second exposure. |
| Zoom Strength | Adjusts the zoom effect of the double image. |
| Rotation Strength | Adjusts the rotation of the double image. |
Light Leaks
Adds light to the image. Use the Insert control on the image to customize the location of the light to vary the effect and make sure the light is placed where you want it. To vary the effect, choose between soft, sharp and precise or dynamic shapes. Use the intensity slider to adjust the overall opacity of the light, or a control point to selectively adjust the effect.
| Strength | Adjusts the presence and impact of the effect applied to the image. |
| Effects menu | Offers a wide selection of light leaks in three categories (Soft, Crisp, Dynamic). |
| Control Points | Applies the selected effect locally and adjusts its opacity. |
Dirt & Scratches
Give the impression that your photos have been developed with a negative damaged by dust, scratches, and/or stains. Use the Insert control to adjust the location of marks, to vary the effect, and to make sure the texture appears exactly where you want it. Choose Dust and Lint, Scratches, Organic, or Eroded texture, then apply it in black or white to vary the effect. Use the Intensity slider to adjust the overall opacity and tone of the texture, or a control point to selectively adjust or remove the effect.
| Strength | Adjusts the presence and impact of the effect applied to the image. |
| Effects menu | Offers a wide selection of defects in four categories (Dust and Lint, Scratches, Organic, Eroded). |
| Control Points | Applies the selected effect locally and adjusts its opacity. |
Photographic Plate
Takes a digital image and simulates the natural textures typical of darkroom processing. Choose a Streaked, Corroded, or Concrete< style, then apply the texture in black or white to vary the effect. Use the Intensity slider to adjust the overall opacity and tone of the texture, or a control point to selectively adjust or remove the effect.
| Strength | Adjusts the presence and impact of the effect applied to the image. |
| Effects list | Offers a selection of plates in three categories (Streaked, Corroded, Concrete). |
| Control Points | Applies the selected effect locally and adjusts its opacity. |
Lens Vignetting
Simulates the vignetting created by different types of lenses. The darkening of the edge of the frame helps to draw the viewer’s eye within the image boundaries and gives the picture more depth. Use the Insert command on the image to move the vignetting away from the center, if desired.
| Amount | Adjusts the intensity of the vignetting. Move the slider to the left to add dark vignetting to the edges of the image. Conversely, move the slider to the right to add light vignetting to the edges. |
| Circle/Rectangle | Controls the overall shape of the vignetting: circular or rectangular. |
| Size | Sets the area in the image to which vignetting is to be applied. |
Film Type
Simulates different film styles with various colors, tones, contrasts, and grain styles. You can choose between warm, cool or subtle color variations.
| Effects list | Used to select film renderings from five categories (Warm, Cool, Subtle, B&W neutral, B&W toned). |
| Neutral/Faded | Drag the slider to the right to give a retro fade effect. |
| Strength | Adjusts the degree to which the filter is applied to the photo. |
| Grain per pixel | Based on Nik’s unique grain engine, this slider is used to add realistic grain to the photo. Move the slider to the left to reduce the number of grain elements applied per pixel, increasing the size and visibility of the grain throughout the photo. If you don’t want to apply any grain to your photo, move the slider all the way to the right. |
| Soft | Adjusts the appearance of the grain. When the grain is coarse, the image appears more detailed and sharp. When the grain is finer, the image feels more natural. |
Multilens
Instantly create a dynamic multi-border layout with multiple focal points in a single image.
| Layout | Choose a layout from a selection of five layouts and four borders. |
| Border Color | Apply a professional white or black border, or remove the border completely for a smooth outline. |
| Border Width | Adjusts the width of a white or black border. |
| Vignetting | Adds a darkening effect to each border. |
| Variation Strength | Adjusts the degree of tonal variation between borders. |
| Variation Type | Lets you select one of five different patterns of tonal variation between borders. |
Frames
Choose a border type from styles that simulate different types of films, or a more subtle streaked border from the Filmstrip, White, or Lightbox border collections. Use the Scale slider to adjust the width of the selected borders.
| Scale | Use to adjust the thickness of the frames. |
| Effects list | Offers a wide choice of frames grouped in three categories (Filmstrip, White, Lightbox). |
Levels & Curves
| Channel | Selects the channel for which the tone is to be set. In addition to the RGB (Red, Green, Blue) channels usually located in Curve dialog boxes, the Levels & Curves filter also provides a brightness channel. Use this to adjust the brightness and contrast of your photo without changing the colors. |
| Opacity | Adjusts the degree to which the filter is added to the photo. |
| Tone curve | Click on the curve to add anchor points to it directly. To remove an anchor point, double-click it. |
| Levels sliders | Move the Shadows, Midtones, and/or Highlights sliders to adjust the tone ranges. |
Levels and curves are among the most commonly used tools for adjusting the brightness and tone of an image. This filter lets you fine-tune basic brightness and contrast. Levels and Curves panel
You can find more information about the Levels & Curves tool in the Overall and Selective Correction Tools section.
Overall and Selective Correction Tools
In this chapter, we will look at the following topics:
- General information on the correction tools available with the cameras.
- Use of the Levels & Curves tool.
- Use and management of control points.
Correction tools (general information)
Each component in the Camera Kit and each Camera in Analog Efex Pro comes with a number of sliders and special tools. There are many different effects, but there are some common features:
- The sliders have a default value which may be 0%, 50% or 100%, depending on the case and effect. When you apply one of the Cameras and a component in the Camera Kit, the sliders usually offer a setting which you may adjust or reset to its default value.
- Sliders affecting brightness and tonality go from dark on the left to brighter on the right.
- Sliders affecting colour and effects are less intense to the left and more intense to the right.
- The Strength sliders can be moved from 0% (no correction or effect) to 100% (maximum correction or effect).
- To reset a slider to its default value, double-click on it.
- You will find the different effects and renderings available in the dropdown lists. There is no mouse-over preview. You will thus need to click to apply the desired effect or rendering.
- Whichever corrections or effects you choose, your selection remains reversible as long as you remain in the open session of Analog Efex Pro (there is also a non-destructive work mode [LIEN]).
Levels & Curves tool
The Level & Curves tool in Analog Efex Pro is found in the Camera Kit section, in the left panel. It can be used to refine or adjust the contrast of your image, either overall or by RGB channel using the Level sliders:
- RGB button: this is selected by default and is used to adjust the brightness and contrast of your image without altering the colours. The histogram represents the 3 RGB channels combined, and the curve is white.
- The R, G, and B buttons: let you adjust the brightness of the Red, Green or Blue channels, to attenuate or reinforce their respective dominance. The histogram represents the selected channel and the curve takes the color of the chosen channel (red, green, or blue curve).
- Curve: click on the curve and hold down the left mouse button to adjust it. You can add anchor points to the curve, which will allow you to lock the contrast settings to specific points on the curve, and therefore on the image. To remove an anchor point, double-click it.
- Levels sliders: Move the dark (left), mid (center) or light (right) sliders to adjust their respective ranges.
To reset:
- Click on the double arrow and select Reset Filter (you have the option of keeping or removing the local settings).
- Double-click on the the anchor point(s) to remove them (the curve is reset once the last remaining anchor point is removed).
- To temporarily disable the tool effects, check/uncheck the Levels & Curves box.
The Opacity slider is set to 100% default and is used to reduce the strength of the Level & Curves adjustments.
Control Points
Control points let you modify selected parts of the image only. In Analog Efex Pro, the control points in the Basic Adjustments section are used to tweak the basic corrections locally (brightness, contrast, saturation, detail), while the control points in certain components of the Camera Kit let you adjust and refine the associated effects and renderings locally.
Control points are available in the following components:
- Basic Adjustments.
- Light Leaks.
- Dirt and scratches
- Photographic Plate.
Add a Control Point
To place and use a Control Point:
- In sections that include the Control Points tool, click on the “+” icon to the right of Control Points.
- As you move through the image, the mouse cursor changes to a Control Point.
- Click in the image where you want to place the Control Point.
- The Control Point appears as a yellow (active control point) or white (inactive control point) dot.
- When it is active, the Control Point has a slider you can use to adjust the radius of its effect, represented by a circle.
- When the Control Point is inactive, you can move the mouse over it to see the slider and the radius (but to adjust them, you must first click on the Control Point to activate it).
- You can move a Control Point (active or inactive) anywhere you like by holding down the mouse button and moving the mouse.
- Repeat steps 1 to 3 to add as many Control Points as you want.
- To delete a Control Point, click on it to activate it and press the Delete key on your keyboard. A dialog box will prompt you to confirm (check the Don’t show again box to stop displaying the dialog box).
Managing Control Points
The Selective Adjustments section lets you manage the various Control Points applied to the image, presented here as a numbered list. The active Control Points are indicated in yellow.
- Create a Control Point: use this button to create a control point to apply local corrections.
- Size: indicates as a % the size of the radius of effectiveness of the Control Point.
- Show/Hide selection for all Control Points: this button displays the monochrome masks for all Control Points. In the monochrome mask, white indicates the areas of the file where 100% of the correction is applied, black indicates no correction and various level of grey indicate the areas that are affected by the correction to varying degrees.
- Control Point List: Control Points indicated by the yellow icon and white text are selected and active, while greyed-out Control Points are inactive.
- Enable/Disable effect for all Control Points: the checkbox disables and re-enables all Control Points applied to the image, as well as the associated corrections and settings.
- Enable/Disable effect for a Control Point: the checkbox disables and re-enables the Control Point applied to the image, as well as the associated corrections and settings.
- Show/Hide Selection of Control Point: this button lets you display the monochrome mask of the control point concerned (also see point 3).
- Duplicate: click on this button to duplicate the currently selected Control Point(s). You can also duplicate a Control Point by clicking on it while pressing the Alt/Option key, then dragging the mouse to reposition the duplicated Control Point.
- Group: to group multiple Control Points, first select them in the list, holding down the Ctrl (PC) or Cmd (Mac) key and then click on the Group button. In the list, the Control Points are organized into groups named Group 1, Group 2, etc. In the image, the first Control Point selected to form the group is indicated by the normal dot, and all other Control Points in the group are indicated by a small yellow dot. When you apply a correction to one of the Control Points, the correction will be applied to the other Control Points in the group. However, you can use the size slider to adjust the size of each Control Point in a group independently. To select multiple Control Points, click in the image and then, while holding down the left mouse button, draw a selection rectangle encompassing the desired control points (you can then click the Group button to group them).
- Ungroup: to cancel the grouping of Control Points, select the group from the list and press the Ungroup button. All the Control Points will be displayed as ungrouped, allowing you to delete, modify, or create new groups from individual Control Points.
- Delete: click the Delete button to delete the currently selected Control Points.
- Reset: resets all sliders and settings associated with the active Control Point.
Black: No correction.
White: 100% correction.
Various shades of grey: varying degrees of correction (see points 3 and 7 in the list above).
You can group several Control Points together to apply the same correction to all of them. To do this, drag a rectangle with the mouse over all the desired Control Points.
Color selectivity and strength of correction
- The Color Selectivity cursors are used to expand or reduce the range of of the colour tolerance covered by a Control Point. This lets you include variations in hue and its brightness level in your correction (for example, to take into account variations in skin color):
- Luminance: determines the range of brightness of the color (default setting 50%).
- Chrominance: determines the range of hues for a color (default setting 50%).
The effect of the Colour Selectivity sliders is subtle, so use the black/white mask display of the Control Point, as shown below.
On the right, the sliders are set so that the correction applies to the sail and not around the boat.
2. The Correction Strength slider is linked to the active effect; if several Control Points have been applied, it will be linked to the active Control Point.
Set to the maximum value of 100 by default, this indicates that the Control Point effect or correction is fully applied. If you reduce to the value to 50, the strength of the effect or correection is halved; at 0, no correction or effect is applied. This means you can adjust the effect or correction with a high degree of precision.
Do not confuse the Correction Strength slider linked to the active Control Point with the Strength slider located at the top of the section, which acts on the effect applied to the entire image (however, the two can be combined).
Rename Control Points
To help you manage your Control Points and/or Control Point groups, the list of which can grow quickly, you can rename them as you wish:
- To help you manage and keep track of your control points and/or control point groups, which can grow quickly, you can rename them as you wish. The Control Point or group must be inactive when you want to rename it.
- The name is highlighted: enter the new name directly. The old name is deleted as soon as you start typing.
- If you just want to change the name, move the flashing input cursor using the left and right arrows on your keyboard.
- Click Enter to confirm.
Renaming does not change the order of the Check Points in the list, and there is no automatic alphabetical ordering. Nor can you change the order by drag and drop.
Custom Presets
Presets
You can create your own Cameras:
- By modifying the settings of an existing camerea.
- By combining Cameras and Camera Kit components, again with the option to change the settings.
To create a Custom Preset:
- After selecting a Camera and, if you want, adding one or several Camera Kit components, make the desired overall and/or selective (Control Point) adjustments using the tools in the right panel.
- At the bottom of the right panel, click the Save Preset* button.
- In the Custom Preset dialog box, enter a name to describe your filter clearly (e. g. “Classic Camera 2 + Filmstrip frame”).
- If you want to save the Control Points and associated selective corrections, make sure that the Save with Control Points box is checked (it is checked by default).
- Click Save to confirm.
- The Custom Preset then appears in the Custom section in the left panel.
* You can also save by going to the Custom section, clicking on the double arrow to the right of the number of presets and selecting Save Preset from the pop-up context menu.
Managing custom presets
You can take advantage of your Custom Presets with the following features:
- Rename: click on the name of the preset under the thumbnail to activate the input field. After entering the new name, press Enter to confirm.
- Mark as favourite: Click on the star to the left of the preset (the star turns gold). Click again to cancel (the star turns black again).
- Export: hover over the preset to display the buttons to the right in the thumbnail. Click the top button to export the preset so that you can share it. A system dialog box lets you choose where to save it; then click Open.
- Update: After adjusting or adding corrections in a Custom Preset, hover over the thumbnail to display the buttons on the right. Click on the curved arrow to update the preset with the adjusted or added corrections.
- Delete: hover over the preset to display the buttons to the right in the thumbnail. Click on the trash can to delete it.
Sharing Custom Presets
You can export and import Custom Presets so you can share them with other users.
Exporting Custom Presets
- In the Custom section, click on the double arrow to the right of the number of Custom Presets.
- From the pop-up menu, select Export All.
- If you want to export a single Preset, hover over the thumbnail and click on the Export icon.
- A system dialog box lets you choose the Save location and complete the Export process.
Importing Custom Presets
- In the Imported section, click on the double arrow to the right of the number of Presets.
- In the pop-up menu, select Import Preset.
- A system dialog box will open. Locate the presets you want to import. Select the presets you want to import, then click on Open.
- The imported presets are displayed in the Imported section.
Imported presets can be renamed, marked as favourites, exported and deleted, in the same way as your Custom Presets. However, it is not possible to update the settings: if you want to, apply the imported preset, adjust the settings in the right panel then create a Custom Preset.