Better "dust & scratches" results?

[juliewood]

I feel like I get better results from the dust and scratches filter when I run it on a layer, set a black mask, copy the layer, set one layer to lighten and one to darken, and paint the mask for each where needed. The problem is that I keep having to switch between the layers, or evaluate the whole image twice (once per layer). I feel like there should be a more elegant solution that I'm missing. Any thoughts?

Thanks!

[0lBaldy]

Before you start repairs.... Window>Arrange>New window for......

Adjust this new window for the viewing size and area you are interested in to preview.. you should now have two views of the same picture

go back to your WIP (work in progress) and continue... all strokes will show up in the new window real time almost... you can magnify your work area to get at the small details and the preview will stay as you set it to preview your repairs

[ratpat13]

Basically it's just like dodging and burning on two separate layers, there's a lot of back and forth. Besides OIBadly's workspace arrangement there's no way to combine both into one.

I do the same thing with flyaway hairs so i know the pain of constantly jumping back and forth. I might recommend learning the keyboard commands for switching between layers. Command/Option > [ or ] > \. It's am awkward keyboard command but it can save time. You could also record each command as an action and assign them an easier keyboard command.

[juliewood]

Thank you both so much! The keyboard command is an excellent idea, if I don't have to keep moving my mouse to the layers palette I might be much less aggravated. Thanks!

[juliewood]

For windows users, what works is alt [ or alt ] to switch between layers, then ctrl \ to select the layer mask. Posting for future searchers (including myself!)

ratpat13, thanks so much for the idea!

[Doug Nelson]

I haven't tried it myself, but I've often wondered if a mask couldn't be made from the dust and scratches, turned into a selection, expanded a few pixels, and then filled using Content Aware Fill.