'Draw Mask' Tool
I have found this tool very useful. However, having highlighted the area I want to change using the highlighter (e.g. the sky) I sometimes have a problem and am not sure whether I am using the tool correctly. If I draw a mask where part of the mask overlaps another part of the mask (and therefore, shows a little darker) and then I reduce the exposure in that masked area, quite often the area where the mask is overlapped appears on the photo as a shadow, or even the whole mask shows through on the final result (when looking at the photo having selected 'background' layer) if the exposure is reduced further. I have looked at the tutorial on using the mask but there is nothing mentioned about this problem. Adjusting the 'hardness' of the mask seems to make no difference. It can be difficult not to overlap another part of the mask. Can someone please explain why this happens and how I can get around it?
0
-
You are using the brush tool at less than 100% opacity. The tool as additive, so if you draw over a previous mask that is less than 100% you will create more density in that area, resulting in uneven adjustments. I typically like to use a 100% opacity brush and make more subtle adjustments. Alternatively, you could draw your low opacity mask all in one stroke, but that wastes a lot of time if you mess up and have to start all over again. 0 -
It sounds like you are using the mask at less than 100% opacity on a single layer.
If you use the mask at 100% opacity it will be consistent over the entire layer.
If you use it at less than 100% each separate "brush stroke" applies its own opacity (more or less, up to 100% ). This is actually quite useful to build up adjustments rather like the old skills of dodging and burning in a darkroom or the way that artists build colour. However it may require a different technique to the one you are using and 100% will probably work better for you.
I often find that adding a mask at 100% opacity and then, if required, erasing at around 10 or 20% gives some nice control.
Hardness affects the feathering (blending effect) and can lead to similar results for overlapped feather areas as brushing with less than 100% opacity. However it is usually not too obtrusive and can be adjusted by carefule technique and/or controlled erasing of the mask where required.
If you are making similar adjustments in the same area of the image using two separate layers -- I'm not sure what to suggest as I can't recall every trying that. In theory the application and correction of masks would be the same but more complicated to deal with being across two layers.
HTH.
Grant0 -
As far as I know, this only happens with the Color Editor tool in overlapping masks. The (fading) upper Color Editor mask cancels the Color Editor edits of the overlapped part of the lower Color Editor mask completely. I had a support case about it recently.
PO answered:Color editor is a profile editor and thus can only have one color space - overlapping masks would in theory need two to show you two edits. It is not something fixable.
But being limited to one single Color Editor layer (or just not-overlapping layers), you can still have different settings for different color ranges within each mask.
It´s different with the Exposure tool. It works pretty well with overlapping masks.
Regards,
Hans-B.0 -
There is a webinar this week about this very subject area.
In fact 2 runs of the webinar, one on Wednesday and one on Thursday.
Could be the perfect time to gain understanding, find nuances not yet appreciated and ask questions as the sessions runs.
http://www.phaseone.com/en/Events/Captu ... nspecified
Grant0 -
Thanks for all the comments. I am indeed using the tool at less than 100% so will adjust that. Thanks Grant for the Webinar 'heads up' - I have registered for that now. 0 -
Is there a chance for a "feathering brush" like in Aperture? - it would really fit in well. 0 -
[quote="Neonsquare" wrote:
Is there a chance for a "feathering brush" like in Aperture? - it would really fit in well.
As a Windows person I have no knowledge of Aperture so may I ask what a feathering brush does?
Grant0 -
Doesn't adjusting the hardness of the brush have the effect of what many apps call "feathering"?
Ian0 -
@ Ian & Grant
Aperture has size, opacity and hardness like Capture One. It also has the "Brush" and the "Eraser" much in the same way as Capture One (including auto mask as an option). Aperture offers a third "brush" (besides brush /eraser) which is the feather brush. It is essentially a Brush that allows you to blur parts of your mask to create smooth transitions or edges. You could e.g. use it when applying a mask to dodge and burn in the face and soften ("smear") it out using the feather brush after that.
--
Jochen H. Schmidt0 -
[quote="Neonsquare" wrote:
@ Ian & Grant
Aperture has size, opacity and hardness like Capture One. It also has the "Brush" and the "Eraser" much in the same way as Capture One (including auto mask as an option). Aperture offers a third "brush" (besides brush /eraser) which is the feather brush. It is essentially a Brush that allows you to blur parts of your mask to create smooth transitions or edges. You could e.g. use it when applying a mask to dodge and burn in the face and soften ("smear") it out using the feather brush after that.
--
Jochen H. Schmidt
To achieve this, use the erase brush (press 'e') with a large diameter and low opacity and 0% hardness. Use the "feathered" part of the brush (not the center) to erase the outskirts of your mask to soften the transition. Repeat to taste.0 -
@HCS
Thanks for the tip! I'll try it out if it works (I'm a bit sceptical but will report back)0
Post is closed for comments.
Comments
11 comments