Option for automatically choosing brush tool depending on layer type
What problem do you see this solving?
This would address at least three problems:
1. Creating non-trivial masks often involves frequently switching between adding a bit of mask with a brush and erasing a bit of mask with the eraser brush in an iterative process.
Paul Steuneberg (Image Alchemist) confirms that it is rather normal to frequently change between brushing and erasing: "When I create a Mask, I often switch between the Brush and Eraser before I am satisfied with the result. I almost always use the keyboard shortcuts for that, ‘b’ and ‘e’ respectively."
David Grover echoes that approach as he finds using the keyboard shortcuts 'b' and 'e' more efficient to toggle between brushing and erasing than turning the pen around on a tablet: "You can actually flip the Wacom pen upside down to automatically choose the eraser, but I actually find it faster to simply hit ‘e’ on the keyboard to select that option and then ‘b’ to return to brush."
The problem is that the above tips refer to older versions of C1 which allowed one to just press 'b' and get the brush tool that fits the selected layer. Since version 13.1.0162 this is not possible anymore, since depending on what layer one is working on, one has to press different keys, e.g., 'q', 's', and 'b', in combination with 'e', since each layer type requires a specific brush tool be chosen.
This is problematic because
a) one needs to choose four brush keyboard shortcuts that result in keys on the keyboard to be close enough to each other to support a swift brushing/erasing operation for each layer type. This also means that two easy to use keyboard shortcuts cannot be used for other functions anymore.
b) one has to memorise four keyboard shortcuts instead of just two.
c) one always needs to be aware of which layer type one is working on. This is particularly hindersome when switching between different layer types when working on an area where different layers overlap and interact. Also, one may be brushing on a layer, then briefly adjusts something else (like vignetting), and then wants to return to brushing. Now one has to find the right key again, instead of being able to just press the same key all the time, regardless of what layer type one is working with.
2. The second problem that would be solved is that dedicated keys on external controllers (such as the Contour Shuttle Pro V2) are rare and having to assign four keys just for brushing is much worse than having to assign two keys only.
3. The third problem that would be solved is that one no longer would have to be careful about the ordering of one's actions. Since C1 version 13.1.1 the situation got a bit better since choosing any brush first and then selecting the layer will override the previous brush selection and automatically choose the brush appropriate for the layer type. However, when selecting the layer first and then a brush, if one gets the brush type wrong, C1 will automatically change the layer selection to a layer fitting the brush or create a new layer.
I am asking for a function (that can be associated to a keyboard shortcut) that will always select the brush that is appropriate for the currently selected layer. Adding this function would not invalidate any current way of working with brushes. Users so inclined could still use 'q', 's', and 'b' to automatically jump to layers and/or create new layers. Adding the function I am proposing would not harm anyone who prefers the current system but increase productivity for others.
When was the last time you were affected by this lack of functionality, or specific tool?
I am affected by this all the time. I use brushes (off all three kinds) on almost all images. Almost every image benefits from local adjustments that involve the use of adjustment-, clone-, and healing brushes. I also rarely get the mask of a layer perfectly right the first time, so revisiting mask selections is something I do very often. Often different image adjustments interact, so there can be quite a bit of time passing between mask adjustments.
Are you using any workarounds or other solutions to achieve your goals in Capture One?
Yes, there are two workarounds:
1. Define a macro that first selects a brush (which one does not matter), then moves the layer selection up one position, and finally moves the layer selection down one position. By changing the layer selection, I am forcing C1 to automatically change the initially selected brush to become one that fits the original layer selection.
This workaround is undesirable because it is inefficient to switch between layers and there is an unnecessary flicker when changing the layers. Selecting masks to be visible makes this worse, of course.
2. The other workaround is to work with four keys instead of two and unnecessarily sacrifice two keys on my external controller.
Note that if C1 offered a way to temporarily turn any brush tool into an eraser brush (e.g., by pressing the "Ctrl" or "Command" key (or a combination of modifier keys)), the first issue would be addressed as it would be easy to frequently switch between brushing and erasing. However, such a 'temporary eraser brush" would not address the other issues I described above.
Are you happy to be contacted further about this suggestion or request?
Yes.
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+1
Thanks for bringing this request into the new forum topic, and the way you described it is excellent.
I miss this function everytime I work with layers, it used to work for so many years until C1 "improved" how the layers work in v13, sacrifying the simple but effective and efficient paradigm that "b" activates the correct brush type depending on the active layer, and active layers never switch by an accidential wrong key stroke, which can lead to unintended brushing on the wrong layer.
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Version 16.3 introduced the "Temporary Eraser Brush" which I had suggested six years ago.
This, very welcome, feature somewhat alleviates the problematic brush selection design but as I mentioned in my request, not fully so.
It is good to see that at least the temporary eraser brush idea was taken up. Due to the new price structure, I won't be buying a new version just for that, though. I'm not that interested in the new AI mask creation features and will wait for further feature updates, similar to the temporary eraser brush, or a fix to the brush selection problem, the ability to combine masks, removal of the inelegant need to convert parametric to bitmap ("rasterised") masks, etc.
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I have been waiting for your reply since yesterday :-)
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@BeO
Are you going to upgrade to 16.3?
It isn't enough for me, considering the cost. Am I missing something?0 -
The items in the release notes are quite nice, but if the drag&drop bug (to a session album from another non-C1 catalog or Explorer) is not fixed I have no interest in upgrading.
I would have to pay the full price.
I also found since >15.2 there were a few regression defects introduced which affected me, the biggest one (for me) was solved in 16.1, but bottom line is that I would observe the forums feedback and do my own very very thorough testing with a trial license before I ever update, given the disastrous bug fix policy for us perpetuals.
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Makes sense, thanks.
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