Soft-Focus Read-me file.

About Soft-Focus
Soft-Focus is a plug-in for Photoshop to apply soft-focus effects to 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. Radiation

4. Intensity
5
. Mist
6.
Use Alpha Channel
7. Known issues and incompatibilities

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 --> Soft Focus...

 

TIP: To assist in finding the best values you can reset values to the last used setting by holding the alt-key while selecting cancel.
To reset values to the initial defaults, hold both the alt-key and shift-key while selecting cancel!

 

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 quickly switch the preview checkbox.

 

3. Radiation
The default soft focus effect is applied to the entire image. The size of the blurring or unsharp edges in the effect is determined by the radiation slider. If "Use Alpha Channel" is selected, this slider determines the maximum size of the radiation. Note that setting this slider to zero means no effect is applied. To best judge the correct value, first set the Intensity slider to 100%, then set the Radiation slider to the amount desired, then reduce the intensity slider to the amount desired.

 

4. Intensity
The instensity parameter determines the maximum amount of effect applied. If this parameter is zero, no effect will be applied. If an alpha channel is used, this still controls the maximum amount of effect applied.

 

5. Mist
The mist parameter determines the amount of mist added to the final result. If an alpha channel is used, this effect is still applied to the entire image.

 

6. Use Alpha Channel
For arbitrary softening, an alpha channel can be used to designate the areas that require different amounts of softening. (Please note that this is entirely different from using a mask to determine the amount of the effect applied at certain areas of the image!)
Using an alpha channel allows you to simulate a centerspot soft-focus filter or even a gel lensfilter.
In order to use this feature:
- create an alpha channel,
- fill this channel with a feathered selection, or use a feathered brush,
- select ALL channels (Red, Green, Blue, AND the alpha channel desired)
- select the filter from the filter menu.

The "Use Alpha Channel" checkbox should now be available. For convenience the mask can be inverted using the "Invert" checkbox.

 

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

Questions, suggestions, comments and other issues regarding this product can be send by e-mail to sfc@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.