Introducing
the Color Fringing RX (CFrx)
Plugin.
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The
Color Fringing RX Plugin was designed to reduce
and in most cases remove unwanted "Color Fringing" from
digital files. Color
fringing is also known as, Chromatic aberration.
It is caused by the camera lens not focusing different
wavelengths of light onto the exact same focal
plane and/or by the lens magnifying different wavelengths
differently. These types of chromatic aberration
are referred to as Longitudinal and Lateral Chromatic
Aberration and can occur at the same time.
Chromatic aberration is known as color fringing when it is visible around areas
of contrast. It frequently occurs around the edges of the image frame in wide-angle
shots. Since edges are the most affected areas, Color Fringing RX will first
scan areas of high contrast in the edges and then throughout the image frame
to surgically reduce all types of color aberration.
The
Color Fringing RX plugin also reduces chromatic aberration
at microlens level , which in simple terms is "purple
fringing". Unlike typical edge-only chromatic
aberration, purple fringing is caused by the microlenses,
and is visible throughout the image frame. Areas
of high contrast around the edges suffer the most,
especially when the subject is illuminated from behind.
Note: Mac
version illustrations will be shown throughout this
page. Identical features are available for PC and
Mac users. The new interface functionality and concept
is based on the feedback from many professional photographers
looking for the highest quality black and white output.
Using
the Color Fringing RX Plugin:
Note:
PC version illustrations will be shown throughout
this manual. Identical features are available for
Mac users.
After
the installation of the Color Fringing RX plugin
is complete, launch Photoshop. Now, you are ready
to run the Plugin. Go to Menu/Automate and click
on Color Fringing RX:
The
Color Fringing RX Plugin window will pop-up.
Learning
the Color Fringing RX plugin interface:
Settings: Color
Fringing RX allows photographers to save and load
their own custom settings. You will be able to create
as many settings as desired to ease your workflow.
In the example below, you can see that I have saved
settings for certain lenses, cameras, etc...
How
to save custom CFrx settings:
In
the example above, Color Fringing RX was set with
the following:
- Intensity
Level = 2
- Reduce
Purple Fringing= checked
- Enhance
Color = checked
- Global
Intensity Tweak = 74
In
order to save these settings for future use, click
on the "Save" button and create a custom
setting called: "My Landscape settings".
Intensity
Level: You have the option of
choosing from Level 1 to Level 3.
Level
1 provides the lightest effect and Level 3 the heaviest.
If more strength is desired, you could always run
the plugin again. For example: Run Level 3 followed
by another run of Level 1. (However, this is NOT
recommended for optimal results.)
After
choosing your desired intensity, you will be able
to "preview" the results on your original
file by clicking on the Apply button.
When you finish running the plugin you will see the
results of the selected intensity. At that point
you also have an option to tweak the intensity of
the effect by decreasing from 100 to 0. (Zero will
be the original state of the image before applying
the plugin and 100 is the result after applying the
plugin -- so you have all of the options in between
to work with). For example, if you would like to
see half of the effect, move the "Intensity
Tweak" slider from 100 to 50 and you will be
able to preview the tweaked results on your file.
If
you desire to experiment with different intensities,
click on Undo and your file will
be brought back to the original state. Otherwise,
click on the OK button if you are
happy with the results.
Reduce
Purple Fringing: Check this setting
if you wish to add an additional scan for purple
fringing on your file during the process.
Enhance
Color: This
setting will enhace the colors of your image without
introducing any color shift or artifact.
Global
Intensity Tweak slider: The
Intensity tweak slider is a powerful and flexible
option included with this plugin.
As
mentioned earlier, after selecting any intensity
level and clicking on the Apply button,
the Intensity Tweak slider will be available to tweak
the results you see on screen. As you move the slider
from 100 (default) to your desired level, you will
see the results changing on your image.
You
may choose from 100 to 0 within the selected intensity
level. The intensity you choose will bring you closer
to the desired effect that works best with your files.
Example: When clicking on the Apply button to preview level
3, you will be able to move the Intensity Tweak slider from 100 down
to 50 ---by doing that, half of the level three effect will be applied and
shown on your image.
When
moving the Intensity Tweak slider to choose the perfect
CFrx strength, make sure to view your photograph
at 100% magnification. Inspecting your images at
the actual pixel magnification is always the best
way to edit your files.
This
can be accomplished by either using the Control+Alt+0
shortcut or by using the plugin's Image Zoom.
