Curvemeister Forum

This is great; I can now work in 16 bit. But I just spent a few minutes figuring out this: (I am in RGB mode, Chan: All, which I selected on the lower toolbar.) If I click on the dropdown menu next to channels, and select any channel, I get a mask box in the curves window(which is unnamed:a label indicating which mask it was would be nice) but my image doesn't change at all. I finally realized that I have to select "mask" in the lower toolbar first for it to work. Or up above, as they seem to be linked. What isn't linked, in other words, is the dropdown arrow, even though it causes the attached word "mask" to turn orange as well. It was confusing at first.

While trying to figure this out, I did wish I could see if the generic mask window in the curves window was changing as I changed masks--it would be nice if it were titled.

Gloria

Hi Gloria,

Yes, it is confusing, and you've suggested a couple of things that will probably help.

Good idea re the showing the name of the mask.  I'll see about adding the mask name to the tab.  I agree it's confusing to know what is behind the scenes.  There will be new control, containing a "gallery" of mask thumbnails in the ribbon for the masks that should make it easier to follow, in that the selected mask will be highlighted.

It's true, though, that changing the mask in and of itself does not change the image.  For that you need to change the curves, and the parts of the image that change will be determined by the mask.  I'm working on an idea that might help with this.

The next version will show the name of the mask on the curve tab, as well as on a button in the main toolbar to the right of the other channel buttons.

I'm considering also displaying the mask as a colored overlay on the image, similar to Photoshop's quickmask mode, where areas that are "protected" by the mask would be indicated by a semi transparent color.  photoshops' selection could also be displayed this way, perhaps using a different color.  This could get confusing fast, so I'm open for any suggestions.

"It's true, though, that changing the mask in and of itself does not change the image.  For that you need to change the curves, and the parts of the image that change will be determined by the mask."

I thought that if I selected the green mask in the dropdown, I would see the green mask in the image window, though. Now I can see why that can't be; you have to have a way to see the impact on the composite image.

One thing I really like is the grid of all masks you can get if you are on "no masks" and click on Mask. However, it can be a little difficult to figure out how to find this once you get of the path a little. I suppose a separate button is getting too complicated?  I would like to be able to access that view at any time. It would also be nice to be able to select a mask from that grid--but I think you may have mentioned that earlier.  Wait, this must be what you are referring to as the new gallery of mask thumbnails. Very cool.

The colored overlay certainly sounds like it could be helpful, though I never use it in PS. I am used to working on adjustment layers, and read my masks in black and white. It would be sort of cool to see the mask superimposed in the mask window, as the histograms are in the channels.

I shudder to think of all the work this has been for you...congratulations on a great program!

Masks are hard right now - it's a new feature, with bugs, and there is no documentation!  So you are doing great.

A mask histogram is a great idea.

There will be a "mask carte" or gallery in the ribbon window that lets you see which mask might be the best - with white areas where you want to change.  That plus the ability to see the mask as a colored overlay may help.  For the time being, make a big curve move that would normally change everything, for example making everything black, and see which areas are changed.

I'm very happy to be discussing more ways to improve masks - this is the flagship feature of Curvemeister 3, and something that is difficult to do effectively in Photoshop - so any suggestions of ways to improve it - and that includes new buttons - are more than welcome.