. . .Multi-Zone Tone Range Masks. . .

. . .3-Zone Adjustment Tone Range Mask Extraction, Formation, and Utilization. . .

. . .PWP5.0.1.2 or later required. . .


Following is a manual method for creating both symmetrical and asymmetrical tone range masks from the 3-Zone Adjustment transform for an image that has been adjusted in that transform...

Definitions:
    (1) Tone range - an image's 0 to 100% tone range is divided into:
      (a)   two tone ranges: highlights [60 to 100% tones for example] and shadows [0 to 60% tones for example]; or
      (b)   three tone ranges: highlights [75 to 100% tones for example]; shadows [0 to 25% tones for example]; and midtones [25 to 75% tones for example].

    (2) Transition zone - the non-black and non-white [gray 1 to 99% tones] image area(s) of a symmetrical or asymmetrical tone range mask.

    (3) Symmetrical tone range mask - a mask image with the same gradient from a 50% transition gray tone to the black and white image areas.   This tone range mask type can be used Inverted and has strong tendencies to produce halos. Best used with the StackImages transform where weighted pixel averaging blending minimizes the halo tendency.

    (4) Aysmmetrical tone range mask - a mask image with different gradients from a 50% transition gary tone to the black and white image areas.   This tone range mask type can NOT be easily used Inverted and does NOT have strong tendencies to produce halos. Can be used with aggressive tone/color changes made with the BrightnessCurve, ColorCurves, Levels&Color, ..etc., transforms.

Mt. Baker, WA   USA             (c) IMAGEs by DEN   2005             All rights are reserved.

Comment:   Step1 through Step3 will produce highlight, shadow, and midtone tone range masks with NO transition zone image areas [a mask image that appears 'sharp' and consists of only black/white image areas].   Note the suggested Blurs and/or Feathers given in Step4a and Step4b.   They are needed to blend halos and artifacts to acceptable levels when the 3-Zone derived masks are used in other transforms.

Step1: Adjust a 'starting image' to preference tone/color with the 3-Zone Adjustment transform and click Apply, creating the 'resulting Step1 image'.

Step2: Reset the 3-Zone Adjustment transform as follows:
    Zone Threshold markers - unchanged from Step1 adjustments
    Shadow-Midtone Blur radius:  0
    Midtone-Highlight Blur radius: 0
    Highlight tab - contrast, brightness, saturation: -100;  +100; -100
    Shadow tab - contrast, brightness, saturation:  -100;   -100; -100
    Midtone tab - contrast, brightness, saturation:  -100;       0;  -100
    Blend tab Mode A: Highlight, Shadow, Midtone amounts: 100, 100, 100
      Shadow-Midtone amount:  0
      Midtone-Highlight amount: 0
    click OK, creating the 'resulting Step2 image'
Step3: Click on the 'resulting Step2 image' and open the Mask Tool - Brightness Curve StairStep mode:
    (a) create a Highlight mask: move the [100,100] control point left to [75,100]; Add - 'lower-left' Apply; 'upper-right' Apply
    (b) create a Shadow mask: move the [75,100] control point further left to [25,100]; Invert; Add - 'lower-left' Apply; 'upper-right' Apply
    (c) create a Midtone mask: shift-click an additional control point at [75,0]; Add - 'lower-left' Apply; click OK; close the Mask Tool; and Minimize the 'resulting Step2 image'

Step1 through Step3 Screen View -- Highlight, Shadow, and Midtone masks with no transitions.

Step4a: Creating and applying symmetrical tone range masks to the 'resulting Step1 image'.
    (1) Highlight: Click on the 'resulting Step1 image' and open the Mask Tool - Combine Masks mode; Add - 'lower-left' Apply the Step3(a) mask; 'lower-left' Apply a preference mask Blur [25 perhaps]; click OK or leave 'active'.
    (2) Shadow: Click on the 'resulting Step1 image' and open the Mask Tool - Combine Masks mode; Add - 'lower-left' Apply the Step3(b) mask; 'lower-left' Apply a preference mask Blur [25 perhaps]; click OK or leave 'active'.
    (3) Midtone: Click on the 'resulting Step1 image' and open the Mask Tool - Combine Masks mode; Add - 'lower-left' Apply the Step3(c) mask; 'lower-left' Apply a preference mask Blur [25 perhaps]; click OK or leave 'active'.
Comment:   If the Step4a masks are 'active' on the 'resulting Step1' image, the Mask Blur can be changed by selecting the Mask Tool - Undo, select a new Blur radius, and 'lower-left' Apply with the result updating in a transform Auto Preview.

Step4a Symmetrical masks -- upper row and Step4b Asymmetrical masks -- lower row

Step4b: Creating and applying asymmetrical tone range masks to the 'resulting Step1 image'.
    (1) Highlight: Click on the 'resulting Step1 image' and open the Mask Tool - Combine Masks mode; Add - 'lower-left' Apply the Step3(a) mask; 'lower-left' Apply a preference mask Blur [25 perhaps]; Subtract - 'lower-left' Apply the Step3(b) and Step3(c) masks; 'lower-left' Apply a preference Feather or small Blur; click OK or leave 'active'.
    (2) Shadow: Click on the 'resulting Step1 image' and open the Mask Tool - Combine Masks mode; Add - 'lower-left' Apply the Step3(b) mask; 'lower-left' Apply a preference mask Blur [25 perhaps]; Subtract - 'lower-left' Apply the Step3(a) and Step3(c) masks; 'lower-left' Apply a preference Feather or small Blur; click OK or leave 'active'.
    (3) Midtone: Click on the 'resulting Step1 image' and open the Mask Tool - Combine Masks mode; Add - 'lower-left' Apply the Step3(c) mask; 'lower-left' Apply a preference mask Blur [25 perhaps]; Subtract - 'lower-left' Apply the Step3(a) and Step3(b) masks; 'lower-left' Apply a preference Feather or small Blur; click OK or leave 'active'.
Comment:   If the Step4b masks are 'active' on the 'resulting Step1' image, the second Mask Feather or small Blur can be changed by selecting the Mask Tool - Undo, select a new Feather or small Blur radius, and 'lower-left' Apply with the result updating in a transform Auto Preview.   'A preference Feather or small Blur' is necessary to prevent artifacts where the Zone Threshold marker tones occur when the 'resulting Step1 image' is transformed using a Step4b mask.
Similarly, tone range masks could be extracted/formed/applied from the 2-Zone Adjustment transform.

For additional information regarding tone range masking and procedures, see:

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Last Update: 090519 Rev00             (c) IMAGEs by DEN   2008             All rights are reserved.