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FocalBlade plugin is a sharpener that distinguishes itself by using a mask to let you sharpen the edge and surface separately. It also gives you the ability to sharpen the edge and smooth the surface at the same time. The edge mask is generated by FocalBlade, but the user has the option of adjusting the mask's smoothness, intensity, etc. -- or sharpening without it.
FocalBlade also controls halos. The Compensate feature (which can be turned off) automatically controls this as you work. Two sliders are also available to counter black or white halos, if they occur. In my testing I didn't need to touch the sliders unless I was over-boosting as part of a photoart effect.
In addition to sharpening, FocalBlade has desharpening tools. And though they might seem like extra bells and whistles at first, they are actually very useful tools. It is very time-saving to do Gaussian blur or Median with an adjustable mask and live preview. And the soft-focus feature is not simply a blur tool.
FocalBlade can function in several modes. For example, the Novice Mode lets the user sharpen by using a short pick-list to describe three aspects of the photo. And there are a few modes in between this and expert mode. The preview screen has modes as well that allow you to split the screen into before and after views, or several levels of correction.
If that is not enough, we also find a few goodies in there. You can add a glow that follows the edge mask. There are several modes for viewing the edge mask directly or overlayed on the photo, and you can render these views to a layer. This means Focal Blade can make edge masks for other uses, or save a combination image as a special effect. And these combination images can be the basis of sketches and painting effects.
FocalBlade also controls halos. The Compensate feature (which can be turned off) automatically controls this as you work. Two sliders are also available to counter black or white halos, if they occur. In my testing I didn't need to touch the sliders unless I was over-boosting as part of a photoart effect.
In addition to sharpening, FocalBlade has desharpening tools. And though they might seem like extra bells and whistles at first, they are actually very useful tools. It is very time-saving to do Gaussian blur or Median with an adjustable mask and live preview. And the soft-focus feature is not simply a blur tool.
FocalBlade can function in several modes. For example, the Novice Mode lets the user sharpen by using a short pick-list to describe three aspects of the photo. And there are a few modes in between this and expert mode. The preview screen has modes as well that allow you to split the screen into before and after views, or several levels of correction.
If that is not enough, we also find a few goodies in there. You can add a glow that follows the edge mask. There are several modes for viewing the edge mask directly or overlayed on the photo, and you can render these views to a layer. This means Focal Blade can make edge masks for other uses, or save a combination image as a special effect. And these combination images can be the basis of sketches and painting effects.
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