Mike Chaney's Tech Corner

DFS seems intriguing, but I'm not likely to do my photo editing in QI.  Any chance we could see a DFS plug in for Photoshop?

Deven

Certainly!
If Adobe were to request a DFS plug-in for Photoshop, and there was a respectable number included, I am certain he would.
That might be interesting to start a movement among the PS and Lightroom contingent to petition Adobe to contact Mike Chaney.

Fred

You actually try it  :o
Terry

I'd really like to see a plugin. I would try it out immediately. Any other interest out there?

Hi,

It will never happen!

Adobe do not ask others to write plug-ins. However, they may promote other author's plug-ins, but most likely they will include the technique in their core programs, if they think it adds anything to their software. A bit of effort is required to write plug-ins http://www.photoshoproadmap.com/Photoshop-blog/programming-photoshop-plugins/ (http://www.photoshoproadmap.com/Photoshop-blog/programming-photoshop-plugins/)  and most likely the juice is not worth the squeeze. Lightroom never used to run plug-ins, but there were ways around that - not sure of the situation now (I remember something on one of the NAPP web-casts about that). Also, of course, all things Adobe is the enemy here ;D

Best wishes,
Ray

If you do not own a copy of Qimage Ultimate, then you can download the demo and try it  for 14 days. If you're paying all that cash for Adobe products, then QU is a bargain, no contest!  :D
Assuming you must prepare your images in another program, only because you are doing some really fancy editing, then carry on in that way but leave sharpening until you are ready to print in QU.
Terry

Yes Im doing some fancy editing in PS, and that's a good idea to leave the sharpening for QIU. How do I access it when I'm in QI?

Double click a thumbnail or, if you have a number of images in the queue, double click the first on the page preview and work through them.
You also need to understand about the other unique QU sharpening feature called Tone Targeted Sharpening (TTS). The best thing is to look at these learning videos first and then ask any detail questions you have when you first try things out in QU.
DFS:
http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=AiVoXcB1uzk&vq=hd1080 (http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=AiVoXcB1uzk&vq=hd1080)
TTS:
http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=xn7Ipw8IAhQ&vq=hd720 (http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=xn7Ipw8IAhQ&vq=hd720)
I'm still not clear whether you actually own a copy of QU yet, please confirm or otherwise - it makes it easier to explain details if you do?
Terry
PS. search this forum using "TTS", you find quite a few helpful posts and examples.
eg. http://ddisoftware.com/tech/qimage-ultimate/qu-tts-helps-a-grey-heron-to-overcome-a-cheetah/ (http://ddisoftware.com/tech/qimage-ultimate/qu-tts-helps-a-grey-heron-to-overcome-a-cheetah/)

Terry
Great job, as usual.  But following your references led me to a post by Fred some time back where he wrote 'but I gave the extra click which sent Refine into the next level of exposure selection, Recover Highlights! This will give you, as an indicator, a RED outline around your selected grid square."  I assume that was changed as I cannot get a 'second level' of highlight recovery. I find 'normal', 'camera blk pt' and 'auto blk pt'.
(Blue, red and violet). No second click change??
QU keeps knocking my socks off but I still struggle to utilize the possibilities...which seem to be without end!
Richard

Hi Richard,

Terry has been helping me out so, in case he's a while coming back here, I'll add my 2p to the effect that I think that video of Fred's was made with an earlier version of RAW refine and a different way of dealing with highlights.

I could be wrong - but Terry will soon be around I guess.

Tony

Hi Richard,
That quote from Fred now out of date.
In brief, QU automatically sets the exposure for a raw image and that, in may cases is all that is required.
I addition to Fill adjustments, it's possible to click a particular rectangle in raw refine and set the exposure for the whole image based on that particular rectangle. As you say there are different possibilities including the 2 highlight recovery options (see screen shot attached). I would add it's often worth trying different rectangles, whether for blue, red or magenta outline settings, to get the best overall exposure & contrast. Using Fill, for me is the last thing to adjust, as increasing Fill reduces contrast and checking more that one rectangle may eliminate the need to use fill.
I hope that makes sense!
Terry

That is correct, Fred will have to re-make it  ::)
Terry

Thanks Tony and Terry.  Everything you guys do is a big help.  Keep up the great job...we thrive on your insights.

Richard