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SEPTEMBER 02, 2003 Reindeer Graphics Optipix 2.0
New and enhanced functionality Version 2.0 gains several new filters and feature enhancements over the previous release. As I say, Optipix was already a superb collection of image manipulation and correction filters. The new release adds even more--and not just a few throw-away filters meant to justify an upgrade fee with as little effort as possible, but some truly remarkable new tools--including, shockingly enough, a whole compositing engine designed specifically for 16-bit image manipulation. (We'll get to that one last.) [an error occurred while processing this directive]First off is the completely revamped Auto Contrast filter. In the old version, this filter worked much like the Photoshop function of the same name, but provided better results in many cases. The new version, however, is completely different. Instead of applying a contrast adjustment automatically, it calls up a dialog box, showing a wide histogram and providing several preset contrast enhancement options. It also allows you to click within the histogram region to set custom, semi-automatic contrast adjustments. And it provides for variable tail clipping for even more refined control.  I liked the old version of Auto Contrast, but, like any automated filter, it didn't work well for all images. The new version adds the controls necessary for making this a valuable image correction feature for virtually any image. Aside from the revamped Auto Contrast filter, Optipix 2.0 also includes two entirely new plugins--Detail Sharpener and Layer Modes--as well as the option to store a selection temporarily for later recall without creating a new channel. Detail Sharpener is yet another tool within Optipix for enhancing specific characteristics of your image. It works a lot like the Edge Enhancer filter discussed earlier, but provides a slightly different approach for bringing out the details of an image, providing controls for Neighborhood Radius, Color Tolerance and Detail Emphasis.  Prev 1 2 3 4 Next Related sites: • AV Video • Creative Mac • Digital Media Designer • Digital Producer • The WWUG Related forums: [an error occurred while processing this directive] 
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