Refine Tools
I really struggle understanding and using the mask refine tools. I have seen a few other comments to this effect so I don't think it is just me. Even one of the YouTube tutorials on this subject (admittedly a couple of years old) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V9gEaOVYIow - is confusing and what is demonstrated seems to make the mask worse not better. Skip to the section starting at 3:30.
As examples, I find that the blur tool does nothing, I don't see any visible difference when switching between "add" or "remove" modes, and double clicking on the tools to adjust the whole mask appears to do nothing.
I would welcome any views or help on this subject, or simply confirmation that this is a problem. If enough of the latter is received, I can use this as evidence to raise a case with On1.
Thanks.
-
The Refine tools do work but like a lot of things it takes practice to understand how to use them to best effect.
I'd suggest that you take an image and experiment with the tools. Don't go for "accuracy" or to make a final image you'd want to publish or print. Just do some gross things with the tools like setting the blur size very large so you can see what it is doing. Along the same edge use it in Add mode then in Subtract mode to compare the differences between the two sections. Alter the brush size then the blur amount individually so you can see what affect changes to each setting has.
Keep practicing and you'll get the hang to them.
0 -
Thanks for your suggestions and encouragement Brian! I will try what you say.
0 -
FWIW, I used to have troubles with the Perfect Brush and rarely used it. Over time I gained understanding of how to set the sliders for it and it is now one of my favorite brushes for cleaning up masks.
0 -
Well it is 2022 now and I'm having troubles with the refinement tools. Just spent 2 hours with the tools trying to mask out background that I blurred surrounding a bird's beak. No bueno! Is there a video that explains how to use these tools? The other thing that happens is, particularly when zoomed in, the tool mouse pointer will progressively get more sluggish and eventually impossible to use.
0 -
Scott Davenport has just done a series on masking in On1, including one on the refine tools. He is one of the better YouTube influencers. Do you plan to buy v2023, which has new masking features?
Regarding the sluggishness, you will need to give info about your hardware, OS etc. Then the experts will be able to assess if it relates to that.
0 -
Ray, your post is pending approval so I'm going to report it here for you and Paul.
Scott Davenport has just done a series on masking in On1, including one on the refine tools. He is one of the better YouTube influencers. Do you plan to buy v2023, which has new masking features?
Regarding the sluggishness, you will need to give info about your hardware, OS etc. Then the experts will be able to assess if it relates to that.
Paul, Scott's YouTube link is https://www.youtube.com/c/ScottDavenport
Also, if you hover over each of the tools you'll see a pop-up that describes how the tool works and a link to a video demonstrating it in action.
0 -
Not sure why my previous post required approval!
0 -
Ditto! 😁
0 -
Link to Scott's video?
0 -
2 options. Go to YouTube and search for his name. Or, use the link already posted here twice. Look above.
0 -
Sorry Brian, I wasn't clear, I was referring to the query why posts need approval I've seen the video
0 -
Oh, my bad. I think that could be why
0 -
We don't know why some posts need approval. Even we moderators have our posts pending approval sometimes. Whatever the reason, it's an automatic script that doesn't like something in the post, it's not a person doing it.
0
Please sign in to leave a comment.
Comments
13 comments