About Graduated Color
Graduated Color is a plug-in for Photoshop to render graduated color effects in digital images

Disclaimer: This software is provided "as is". No warranties of any kind, expressed or implied, are given. Not even to its functionality, use and applicability. Read the License agreement for further information.

Contents of this Read-me file:
1. Installation
2. Preview
3. Color
4. Intensity
5. Orientation
6. Known issues and incompatabilities

1. Installation
Move or Copy the filter plug-in to your Photoshop filters folder, (re)start Photoshop, then the filter should be available under:

Filter --> theimagingfactory -->Graduated Color...

2. Preview
This plugin shows the results of its calculations in a preview pane. To better judge the effect of your settings the preview can be zoomed by the zoom-buttons below the preview pane indicated with a "+" (plus) and "-" (minus) symbol. Alternatively you can use the cmd-"+" or cmd-"-" key sequence. A percentage of scaling is given between the zoom buttons. You can click the percentage text to quickly switch between 100% and best fit. If the preview is larger than the preview pane you can quickly scroll through the preview by clicking the mouse in the previewpane and subsequently draging the preview.
The preview checkbox next to the preview pane allows you to switch between previewing the original data and previewing the filtered data. Mac users can use the ctrl-space key sequence to quickly switch the preview checkbox.

3. Color
The Color patch displays the color currently selected, as well as the transition resulting from the current Intensity settings. To select a different color, click the color patch. This will invoke the Photoshop color picker which allows you to select a different color. Since you can change the saturation or intensity of the color through the sliders, you can best select a saturated color.

Note that selecting black allows you to simulate a Neutral Density filter. However, since the picture is already "exposed", the filter can not enhance highlight detail which has been blown out.

4. Intensity
The intensity section allows you to set several parameters to simulate graduated color effects. A graduated color effect makes a transition from Maximum color to Minimum color.

The "Maximum" intensity slider sets the maximum color intensity at the colored side of the effect.
The "Minimum" intensity slider sets the minimum color intensity at the clear side of the effect

If the Maximum and Minimum intensity are equal the filter behaves like an evenly colored lens filter.

When used with conventional, analogue equipment, colorfilters will usually require a certain exposure compensation. The result will be colorized, yet the highlights may well end up white anyway, because of the exposure. To preserve white highlights the highlight slider can be used.

The "Highlights" slider sets the relative intensity of the color in bright areas of the image.

5. Orientation
The orientation section only consists of one slider "rotation", which allows you to rotate the effect as if you are rotating the lensfilter in front of the camera.

6. Known issues and incompatibilities
If you find anything not working as you would expect, let us know at gcl@theimagingfactory.com

Questions, suggestions, comments and other issues regarding this product can be send by e-mail to gcl@theimagingfactory.com. For general information regarding our products you can visit our web-site at www.theimagingfactory.com or e-mail us at info@theimagingfactory.com.