Tutorial Objective

In this tutorial we'll introduce you to the basic concepts of applying an effect to the entire image and then selectively removing it from areas of interest using the Brush-Off tool.

Step One - Open an Image

Open up a portrait style image like the example below.

Step Two - Select the Color Tone Effect

Under the Select Effect menu choose the Color Tone effect from the Color Effects category.

For this example we increased the default settings for Dark Mood to 35, Color Tone to 60 and added a Grain setting of 20.

Step Three - Brush-Off the Effect

In the screenshot below we've highlighted three items: (A) Mode Menu (B) Brush-Off Tool (C) Size and Opacity settings on the Brush Palette. (A) The Mode menu defines where the effect applies. When in the Global mode it applies to the entire image and you see the results on the preview. If you were to change this to Mode: Brush-On you would only see changes to the photo where you brush. In this step we want the Mode: Global. (B) The Brush-Off tool is used to REMOVE the effect from the photo when it has been applied globally. Think of this as an eraser that will selectively brush away the effect from the photo. So the lesson here is when you are in Mode: Global (A) you use the Brush-Off tool (B) to remove the effect. (C) The Brush tools use the Size / Opacity / Feather controls on the Brush Palette to define HOW MUCH of the effect is changed. 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. This is a powerful control as it lets you gradually control the effect over areas of interest to get a precise setting.

Now that you understand A, B and C - use the Brush-Off tool to remove the effect from one of the eyes in your portrait to bring back the color at close to full value. Adjust the Opacity setting to 70%, then click and drag the brush around in the area of interest and then release the button. The preview will update and you will see the effect removed from the area.

Step Four - Remove More Areas

Brush away the effect from both eyes. Then adjust the Opacity slider to 15%. Then erase the effect from the lips. This will reveal 15% of the natural color from the lips and filter this through the effect. Use this method to gradually re-introduce color in selective areas with a very low opacity setting. Lower opacity settings give you finite control over the process. In the example below we've restored color to the eyes (70%) and the lips (15%).

Step Five - Use the Brush-On Tool

If you Brush-Off the effect and decide you want to change it back, you will need to use the Brush-On tool to brush it back on again. The Brush-On tool, when used in the Global mode will restore areas you have erased. It serves to put back the effect where it has been removed by the Brush-Off tool. In Step Four we brushed back some color to the lips - in this step we're going to change our minds and use the Brush-On tool to restore this area back to the way it was so that the effect is applying 100% over that area. (A) Brush-On Tool (B) Size / Opacity (C) Area of Interest

(A) Select the Brush-On tool then adjust the Size of the brush to cover a large area. (B) Also change the Opacity to 100% so we restore 100% of wherever we brush over (B). Next take the Brush-On tool and click and drag over the lips to restore them.

Summary

When you apply an effect using the Global Mode it applies to the entire photo. Often times you will want to remove all or part of the effect from some areas. 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.

In the next tutorial we'll learn about how to apply the effect to the photo using the Brush-On tool.