shudder's digi-darkroom 1.2.atn0. What's going on...TEXTstopStopStopStopMsgeTEXTWelcome! A text file is going to be created next. It explains a lot. It takes a moment to conjure up, so please be patient...CntnboolTEXTmakeMakeMakeMk Nw ObjcDcmnNm TEXT shudder's digital darkroom v1.2Md typeRGBMWdthUntF#Rlt@@HghtUntF#Rlt@@RsltUntF#Rsl@RFl enumFl Wht TEXTmakeMakeMakeMk nullobj ClssTxLrUsngObjcTxLr Txt TEXT Shudder's Digital Darkroom by shudder (aka Michael McClure) - January, 2004 (v1.2 -- March, 2004) http://www.mmcphoto.com --> or reach me at michael@mmcphoto.com With thanks to Jeff TenHave (BigRed450) for great ideas, to Rutger Scheepens (Rutger), Joe Weaver (Chefziggy) & Haydn Williams (Haydn) for beta testing, and to all the great folks at the DPReview FujiTalk Forum & Fujimugs.com website. You've all been great. This is just my way of saying 'thanks'. :) This digital darkroom routine is made up of five distinct sections (that are somewhat interchangable... read on for that and more info): 1. PROLOGUE: color adjustments (now ready for Durst or Frontier printing); 2. shudder sharpening I (now ready for for Inkjet printing); 3. shudder sharpening II (now ready for Web display); 4. ADDENDUM: color punch up (can be run at the end of any step in the process that is your final step -- depends entirely on what you are doing); and, 5. ADDENDUM: dodge/burn (sometimes a pic needs some good old fashioned burnin' 'n dodgin' -- insert this action wherever you feel it might be necessary in getting the look you want) ** The process known to many simply as "Shudder Sharpening" is when you run Steps 2 and 3 on a pic to get it ready for Web publishing. ** The initial "PROLOGUE: color adjustments" action was put together with the Fuji s602z digital camera in mind and can be left out if all you wish to do is sharpen (just run Step 2 and Step 3). The "ADDENDUM: color punch up" action is used to punch up the color and contrast in a pic via working the median parts of a pic (and their inverse) via overlay and multiply layers. Give it a whirl and see what you think -- use it at the end of whatever step is your last one. Adjust the opacity of the overlay and multiply layers to taste. I often erase portions of one or the other, or sometimes turn one or the other off. Sometimes I don't use any of it -- its entirely your choice. The "ADDENDUM: dodge/burn" action creates two layers, one for burning and one for dodging. Use an airbrush on each layer in order to achieve your best pic. Set the Opacity to between seven and 13%, then select the opposite color for whatever layer you are working on (select white paint to work on the black dodging layer, select black paint to work on the white burning layer). Flatten after running this action before continuing with more steps. Feel free, of course, to turn off all of the STOPs in the steps once you've run it enough times to be familiar with everything it does (it will run much quicker that way as well). Have fun with it all, and I hope your pics come out great! best, shudder P.S. Keep this file open as you go through the routine so that you can reference it for details. I think you'll find it handy...warpObjcwarp warpStyleenum warpStylewarpNone warpValuedoubwarpPerspectivedoubwarpPerspectiveOtherdoub warpRotateenumOrntHrznTxtCObjcPnt HrznUntF#Prc?EVrtcUntF#Prc?/hK textGriddingenum textGriddingNoneOrntenumOrntHrznAntAenumAnntAnSm textShapeVlLsObjc textShapeTEXTenumTEXTboxboundsObjcRctnTop doubLeftdoubBtomdoub@Rghtdoub@0TxttVlLsObjcTxttFromlongT longLTxtSObjcTxtS$fontPostScriptNameTEXT Verdana-BoldFntNTEXTVerdanaFntSTEXTBoldScrplongFntTlongSz UntFC@& syntheticBoldboolsyntheticItalicbool autoLeadingboolHrzSlongZVrtSlongdTrcklong2AtKrboolBslnUntFCfontCapsenumfontCapsNrmlbaselineenumbaselineNrmlUndlbool strikethroughboolligatureboololdStyleboolproportionalNumbersboolRtt boolbaselineDirectionenumbaselineDirection withStreammojiZumedoub gridAlignmentenum gridAlignmentromanhyphenationLanguageenumhyphenationLanguageenglishLanguage wariChuCountlong wariChuScaledoub? wariChuWidowlong wariChuOrphanlongnoBreakboolClr ObjcRGBCRd doubGrn doubBl doubFl boolStrkbool fillFirstboolverticalUnderlinePositionenumverticalUnderlinePositionverticalUnderlineRightObjcTxttFromlongLT longgTxtSObjcTxtS$fontPostScriptNameTEXT Verdana-BoldFntNTEXTVerdanaFntSTEXTBoldScrplongFntTlongSz UntFC@& syntheticBoldboolsyntheticItalicbool autoLeadingboolHrzSlongZVrtSlongdTrcklong2AtKrboolBslnUntFCfontCapsenumfontCapsNrmlbaselineenumbaselineNrmlUndlbool strikethroughboolligatureboololdStyleboolproportionalNumbersboolRtt boolbaselineDirectionenumbaselineDirection withStreammojiZumedoub gridAlignmentenum gridAlignmentromanhyphenationLanguageenumhyphenationLanguageenglishLanguage wariChuCountlong wariChuScaledoub? wariChuWidowlong wariChuOrphanlongnoBreakboolClr ObjcRGBCRd doubGrn doubBl doubFl boolStrkbool fillFirstboolverticalUnderlinePositionenumverticalUnderlinePositionverticalUnderlineRightObjcTxttFromlonggT long TxtSObjcTxtS$fontPostScriptNameTEXT Verdana-BoldFntNTEXTVerdanaFntSTEXTBoldScrplongFntTlongSz UntFC@& syntheticBoldboolsyntheticItalicbool autoLeadingboolHrzSlongZVrtSlongdTrcklong2AtKrboolBslnUntFCfontCapsenumfontCapsNrmlbaselineenumbaselineNrmlUndlbool strikethroughboolligatureboololdStyleboolproportionalNumbersboolRtt boolbaselineDirectionenumbaselineDirection withStreammojiZumedoub gridAlignmentenum gridAlignmentromanhyphenationLanguageenumhyphenationLanguageenglishLanguage wariChuCountlong wariChuScaledoub? wariChuWidowlong wariChuOrphanlongnoBreakboolClr ObjcRGBCRd doubGrn doubBl doubFl boolStrkbool fillFirstboolverticalUnderlinePositionenumverticalUnderlinePositionverticalUnderlineRightparagraphStyleRangeVlLsObjcparagraphStyleRangeFromlongT long paragraphStyleObjcparagraphStyleAlgnenumAlg LeftfirstLineIndentUntFC startIndentUntFC endIndentUntFC spaceBeforeUntFC spaceAfterUntFC hyphenateboolhyphenateWordSizelonghyphenatePreLengthlonghyphenatePostLengthlonghyphenateLimitlonghyphenationZonedoub@BhyphenateCapitalizedbooljustificationWordMinimumdoub?陙justificationWordDesireddoub?justificationWordMaximumdoub?G justificationLetterMinimumdoubjustificationLetterDesireddoubjustificationLetterMaximumdoubjustificationGlyphMinimumdoub?justificationGlyphDesireddoub?justificationGlyphMaximumdoub? hangingRomanbool burasagariboolpreferredKinsokuOrderenumpreferredKinsokuOrderpushIn mojiKumiNameTEXTNonetextEveryLineComposerboolautoLeadingPercentagedoub?33@ leadingTypeenum leadingType leadingBelowTEXTrasterizeLayer Rasterize RasterizerasterizeLayernullobj EnmrLyr OrdnTrgtWhatenum rasterizeItemTypeTEXT flattenImage Flatten Image1. PROLOGUE: color adjustmentsTEXTstopStopStopStopMsgeTEXTI need to Flatten your pic. On the one hand, it may already be flat. If it is, the following step does nothing. However, if there are multiple layers in it, they will now be flattened.CntnboolTEXT flattenImage Flatten ImageTEXTstopStopStopStopMsgeTEXTThe following slight Curves adjustment can be included if your blacks are not coming out real black when printing on an inkjet printer. Otherwise you should leave it out, IMHO.CntnboolTEXTcurvesCurvesCurvesCrvsAdjsVlLsObjcCrvAChnlobj EnmrChnlOrdnTrgtCrv VlLsObjcPnt Hrzndoub@(VrtcdoubObjcPnt Hrzndoub@n`Vrtcdoub@oTEXTstopStopStopStopMsgeTEXTThe following Curves and Selective Color adjustment is intended to compensate for the green cast seen in most Fuji 602 pics by lowering the greens and reds and upping the blues ever so slightly. Leave it out if your pics color looks good from the get go.CntnboolTEXTcurvesCurvesCurvesCrvsAdjsVlLsObjcCrvAChnlobj EnmrChnlChnlRd Crv VlLsObjcPnt HrzndoubVrtcdoubObjcPnt Hrzndoub@\Vrtcdoub@]ObjcPnt Hrzndoub@k`Vrtcdoub@j@ObjcPnt Hrzndoub@oVrtcdoub@oObjcCrvAChnlobj EnmrChnlChnlGrn Crv VlLsObjcPnt HrzndoubVrtcdoubObjcPnt Hrzndoub@X@Vrtcdoub@XObjcPnt Hrzndoub@k@Vrtcdoub@jObjcPnt Hrzndoub@oVrtcdoub@oObjcCrvAChnlobj EnmrChnlChnlBl Crv VlLsObjcPnt HrzndoubVrtcdoubObjcPnt Hrzndoub@XVrtcdoub@XObjcPnt Hrzndoub@jVrtcdoub@k`ObjcPnt Hrzndoub@oVrtcdoub@oTEXTstopStopStopStopMsgeTEXTThe next Hue/Saturation step can be put into the action if your picture has excessive reds in it (I only use it when a pic has, say, red baseball uniforms in it...). It (and this STOP) are off by default.CntnboolTEXT hueSaturationHue/SaturationHue/SaturationHStrClrzboolAdjsVlLsObjcHst2LclRlongBgnRlong;BgnSlongYEndSlongEndRlong-H longStrtlongLghtlongTEXTselectiveColorSelective ColorSelective ColorSlcCMthdenumCrcMRltvClrCVlLsObjcClrCClrsenumClrsRds MgntUntF#Prc@(ObjcClrCClrsenumClrsYlwsYlw UntF#Prc@LObjcClrCClrsenumClrsGrnsCyn UntF#Prc@KYlw UntF#Prc@LObjcClrCClrsenumClrsCynsCyn UntF#Prc@PObjcClrCClrsenumClrsBls Cyn UntF#Prc@KObjcClrCClrsenumClrsMgntMgntUntF#Prc@ObjcClrCClrsenumClrsWhtsBlckUntF#PrcAObjcClrCClrsenumClrsBlksBlckUntF#Prc@ TEXTstopStopStopStopMsgeTEXTLevels often need adjusting at this point. The following Levels adjustment is set to do nothing now, so adjust the various levels as you see fit, or click the Auto button to set Auto Levels, then click OK.CntnboolTEXTlevelsLevelsLevelsLvlsTEXTstopStopStopStopMsgeTEXTYour pic is now ready for printing on a Durst Lambda or a Fuji Frontier printer. That's right -- no sharpening has been applied. Your mileage may vary, but I have found that the introduction of ANY sharpening will make lab prints start to block up.CntnboolTEXTstopStopStopStopMsgeTEXTClick "Stop" to stop now and save your full size file (you may wish to crop to a specific print size now), or click "Continue" to start with shudder sharpening...CntnboolTEXTplayPlayPlayPly nullobj nameActn2. shudder sharpening InameASet shudder's digi-darkroom 1.2.atn2. shudder sharpening ITEXTstopStopStopStopMsgeTEXTI need to Flatten your pic. On the one hand, it may already be flat. If it is, the following step does nothing. However, if there are multiple layers in it, they will now be flattened.CntnboolTEXT flattenImage Flatten ImageTEXTstopStopStopStopMsgeTEXTThis first USM is what is known as a Haze Remover (it doesn't really sharpen anything at all). You can remove it if your pics are nice and clear. The default has a radius of 60. If that is too strong, set the radius to 120.CntnboolTEXT unsharpMask Unsharp Mask Unsharp MaskUnsMAmntUntF#Prc@>Rds UntF#Pxl@NThshlongTEXTstopStopStopStopMsgeTEXTThe next step converts the picture to L*a*b mode for the real meat 'n potatoes of sharpening inherent to this routine. Converting to L*a*b allows you to sharpen the luminosity of your pic only (noise will not be added to the color layers).CntnboolTEXT convertMode Convert Mode Convert ModeCnvMT typeLbCMTEXTselectSelectSelectslctnullobj EnmrChnlChnlA TEXT gaussianBlur Gaussian BlurGaussian BlurGsnBRds UntF#Pxl@TEXTselectSelectSelectslctnullobj EnmrChnlChnlB TEXT gaussianBlur Gaussian BlurGaussian BlurGsnBRds UntF#Pxl@TEXTselectSelectSelectslctnullobj EnmrChnlChnlLghtTEXT unsharpMask Unsharp Mask Unsharp MaskUnsMAmntUntF#Prc@IRds UntF#Pxl@ThshlongTEXT convertMode Convert Mode Convert ModeCnvMT typeRGBMTEXTstopStopStopStopMsgeTEXTYour pic is now ready for printing on an Inkjet printer. You may want to run a de-noising action prior to printing, such as David Marsit's ISO PS NR action (http://www.canonians.com/noise.htm), or using NeatImage or a like product.CntnboolTEXTstopStopStopStopMsgeTEXTClick "Stop" to stop now and save your full size file (you may wish to crop to a specific print size now), or click "Continue" to continue with shudder sharpening...CntnboolTEXTplayPlayPlayPly nullobj nameActn3. shudder sharpening IInameASet shudder's digi-darkroom 1.2.atn3. shudder sharpening IITEXTstopStopStopStopMsgeTEXTI need to Flatten your pic. On the one hand, it may already be flat. If it is, the following step does nothing. However, if there are multiple layers in it, they will now be flattened.CntnboolTEXT flattenImage Flatten ImageTEXTstopStopStopStopMsgeTEXTI have set the following series of five size dialogs to achieve a file that is 25% of the original file (708x532 pixels for 6MP files from the 602). If you wish to resize differently, stop & manually change the file size, then restart the action at USM.CntnboolTEXT imageSize Image Size Image SizeImgSWdthUntF#Prc@RCnsPboolIntrenumIntpBcbcTEXT imageSize Image Size Image SizeImgSWdthUntF#Prc@RCnsPboolIntrenumIntpBcbcTEXT imageSize Image Size Image SizeImgSWdthUntF#Prc@RCnsPboolIntrenumIntpBcbcTEXT imageSize Image Size Image SizeImgSWdthUntF#Prc@RCnsPboolIntrenumIntpBcbcTEXT imageSize Image Size Image SizeImgSWdthUntF#Prc@SCnsPboolIntrenumIntpBcbcTEXTstopStopStopStopMsgeTEXTNext is Jeff's Super-Sharp step. This, too, is not necessary for all pics, but I usually include it as a matter of course (IOW, I like it!).CntnboolTEXT unsharpMask Unsharp Mask Unsharp MaskUnsMAmntUntF#Prc@@Rds UntF#Pxl?əThshlongTEXTfadeFadeFadeFadeOpctUntF#Prc@YMd enumBlnMLmnsTEXT gaussianBlur Gaussian BlurGaussian BlurGsnBRds UntF#Pxl@TEXTfadeFadeFadeFadeOpctUntF#Prc@YMd enumBlnMClr TEXTstopStopStopStopMsgeTEXTWe're at the end of shudder sharpening. If you haven't done so already, now is a good time to send your pic through a de-noise routine. The best I have found is David Marsit's ISO PS NR action (http://www.canonians.com/noise.htm).Cntnbool4. ADDENDUM: color punch upTEXTstopStopStopStopMsgeTEXTI need to Flatten your pic. On the one hand, it may already be flat. If it is, the following step does nothing. However, if there are multiple layers in it, they will now be flattened.CntnboolTEXT flattenImage Flatten ImageTEXTstopStopStopStopMsgeTEXTThis addendum is used to punch up the color and contrast in a pic via working the median parts of a pic (and their inverse) via overlay and multiply layers. Give it a whirl and see what you think.CntnboolTEXTsetSetSetsetdnullobj propChnlfselT obj EnmrChnlChnlRGB TEXT copyToLayerLayer Via CopyTEXTsetSetSetsetdnullobj EnmrLyr OrdnTrgtT ObjcLyr Md enumBlnMOvrlTEXTsetSetSetsetdnullobj EnmrLyr OrdnTrgtT ObjcLyr OpctUntF#Prc@TEXTsetSetSetsetdnullobj EnmrLyr OrdnTrgtT ObjcLyr OpctUntF#Prc@ITEXTsetSetSetsetdnullobj EnmrLyr OrdnTrgtT ObjcLyr Nm TEXToverlayTEXTselectSelectSelectslctnullobj propLyr BckgTEXTsetSetSetsetdnullobj propChnlfselT obj EnmrChnlChnlRGB TEXTinverseInverseTEXT copyToLayerLayer Via CopyTEXTsetSetSetsetdnullobj EnmrLyr OrdnTrgtT ObjcLyr Md enumBlnMMltpTEXTsetSetSetsetdnullobj EnmrLyr OrdnTrgtT ObjcLyr OpctUntF#Prc@TEXTsetSetSetsetdnullobj EnmrLyr OrdnTrgtT ObjcLyr OpctUntF#Prc@ITEXTselectSelectSelectslctnullobj nameLyr Layer 1TEXTsetSetSetsetdnullobj EnmrLyr OrdnTrgtT ObjcLyr Nm TEXT multiplyTEXTstopStopStopStopMsgeTEXTNow, adjust the opacity of the overlay and multiply layers to taste. I often erase portions of one or the other, or sometimes turn one or the other off. Sometimes I don't use any of it -- your choice entirely.Cntnbool5. ADDENDUM: dodge/burnTEXTstopStopStopStopMsgeTEXTI need to Flatten your pic. On the one hand, it may already be flat. If it is, the following step does nothing. However, if there are multiple layers in it, they will now be flattened.CntnboolTEXT flattenImage Flatten ImageTEXTstopStopStopStopMsgeTEXTDoes your pic need some old fashioned burning and dodging work? This addendum creates two layers, one for burning and one for dodging. Use an airbrush on each layer in order to achieve your best pic.CntnboolTEXTmakeMakeMakeMk nullobj ClssLyr belowboolUsngObjcLyr Nm TEXTburnin'TEXTsetSetSetsetdnullobj EnmrLyr OrdnTrgtT ObjcLyr Md enumBlnMCBrnTEXTsetSetSetsetdnullobj propClr FrgCT ObjcLbClLmncdoub@YA doubB doubTEXTfillFillnullFromObjcPnt HrznUntF#PxlVrtcUntF#Pxl@Tlrnlong AntAboolUsngenumFlCnFrgCTEXTmakeMakeMakeMk nullobj ClssLyr belowboolUsngObjcLyr Nm TEXTdodgin'TEXTsetSetSetsetdnullobj EnmrLyr OrdnTrgtT ObjcLyr Md enumBlnMCDdgTEXTsetSetSetsetdnullobj propClr FrgCT ObjcLbClLmncdoubA doubB doubTEXTfillFillFillFl FromObjcPnt HrznUntF#PxlVrtcUntF#Pxl@Tlrnlong AntAboolUsngenumFlCnFrgCTEXTsetSetSetsetdnullobj propClr FrgCT ObjcLbClLmncdoub@YA doubB doubTEXTsetSetSetsetdnullobj propClr BckCT ObjcLbClLmncdoubA doubB doubTEXTselectSelectSelectslctnullobj ClssPbTlTEXTstopStopStopStopMsgeTEXTSet the Opacity to between seven and 13%, then select the opposite color for whatever layer you are working on (select white paint to work on the black dodging layer, select black paint to work on the white burning layer).Cntnbool