Visualize spots – an inefficient workaround for this missing option

Thomas Kyhn

• January 03, 2023 17:39
• Edited

Capture One lacks a "visualize spots" option (requested here). Here's a workaround, which, while somewhat cumbersome, will make spots that were otherwise difficult to detect easier to get rid of.

1. Create a new filled adjustment layer.

2. Select this new layer.

3. Select Display Grayscale Mask (Option+m for Mac / Alt+m for Windows).

4. Open Luma Range and adjust the range and falloff so that spots become visible (steeper falloff = higher contrast = better visibility). Press Apply.

5. Use the Spot Removal tool or the Healing Mask tool to remove spots.

NB: 1) When you remove a spot, a new healing layer is created and selected; to remove additional spots, you need to select the previously selected adjustment layer again; 2) this layer will still display the spot that was just removed; in order to update the adjustment layer, you need to open Luma Range again and press Apply (no adjustments necessary).

6. Depending on the light range of the image, you may need to adjust the luma range several times in order to reveal spots in all areas of the image.

2

• 

  yann gauthier

  • March 06, 2023 22:16

  That's a great trick man, thanks ! ;)

  0
• 

  BeO

  • October 08, 2023 14:48

  

  Yes that works.

  Maybe below approach this is is little easier. No need for the Luma range, which is a little awkward to use especially as it is in a modal dialog.

  Create a new filled adjustment layer (above the Heal layer, just to be sure the Adjustment layer won't be used in the heal patches) and invert and adjust the Luma curve as shown below. You also need to fiddle a bit with both curve points (left<>right) depending on image content (your step 6).

  

  

   

   

   

  1
• 

  Thomas Kyhn

  • October 08, 2023 14:50

  

  Thanks, BeO, that looks very useful.

  0
• 

  BeO

  • October 08, 2023 15:09

  

  Then, you can save the curve tool settings as a preset.

  Next image, create a new filled adjustment layer, goto the curve tool and select your preset. 

  Or, save the settings as a custom style from the layer tool menu.

  0

Please sign in to leave a comment.