Tutorial Objective

Many of the Focal effects allow you to use a variety of tools to control what areas of the image are affected. In this tutorial we'll introduce you to the basic concepts of applying an effect to the image and then selectively removing it from areas of interest using the Brush-Off tool.

Open an Image

Open up a photo by going to the File > Open Photo menu command.

Select the Soft Focus Effect

Under the Select Effect menu choose the Soft Focus effect (A).

As soon as the effect is loaded up the entire image will become soft and out-of-focus (see screenshot below). Change the active tool to be the Brush-Off tool (A) as shown below. Notice that when you do this the Brush Palette (B) controls become active. The Brush Palette lets you define the size, opacity, feather and shape of the brush. It also lets you clear off any brush strokes you have made to your image so you can try again. The brush size is indicated onscreen (C).

Brush-Off the Effect

Adjust the Size of the brush to fit your image / subject area you want to brush over. Use the Opacity controls on the Brush Palette to define HOW MUCH of the effect is removed. If you have the Opacity control set to 100% then 100% of the effect is removed from the area you brush over with the Brush-Off tool. If you have the Opacity set to 50% then only 50% of the effect is removed. The brush strokes are cumulative so if you have the opacity set to 20% you would have to brush over an area 5 times (5 strokes X 20% = 100% removed) to completely remove the effect. We suggest using lower opacity settings and then incrementally stroke over the effect again to gradually remove the effect using multiple strokes.

When you release the mouse the effect will regenerate and remove the area you have brushed over taking into consideration the opacity / feather and size of the brush stroke. The preview will be updated and you can then adjust the image by brushing over it in more places as needed.

Brush-On Tool

The Brush-On tool is used to add back areas of the effect that were removed using the Brush-Off tool. Click the green Brush-On tool (A) and then brush to add back an area where the focus was removed (B).

Clear Brush Strokes

The Clear Brush Strokes button (A) on the Brush Palette is useful as it removes all brush strokes from the image and starts you over again. Simply click this button and the brush strokes for the Brush-Off / Brush-On are removed allowing you to try again.

Summary

When you apply an effect that has the Brush-Off / Brush-On tools you can use these to selectively remove parts of the effect from the photo. Use the Brush-Off tool in conjunction with the brush Size / Opacity / Feather controls to precisely control how much of the effect is removed and from where. If you need to add back to the effect where you have brushed it off, use the Brush-On tool. Use the Clear Brush Strokes button on the Brush Palette to remove all brushing from the photo so you can start again.