General Usage
Before using ColorWasher you have to start your preferred
image editing application and open an image or photo. Please note that ColorWasher
only works on images in 8bit or 16bit RGB mode. If your image is grayscaled,
has only 256 colors or is a CMYK image, you have to convert it in your image
application to RGB before you can start working on it with ColorWasher.
To run Color Washer please open the menu that leads to the plugin filters (usually
the "Filter", "Effects" or "Image -> Plug-ins" menu) and choose "ColorWasher"
from the " PhotoWiz" sub menu.
The Help Text Box
The Help feature has been built in to make it easier for new users to get started and makes it possible to use ColorWasher without a glance in the manual. Other than that it can provide useful hints and assist you in the correction process. If you move the mouse over a certain control, the text box will display some explanations and hints about that control. Additionally it also tells you how to get started and if ColorWasher likes the current sample area.
After you know all about ColorWasher and mastered the sample area technique, you can deactivate these explanations by deactivating the check box at the right bottom of the Help box. But we recommend that you keep it nevertheless activated. It may remind you of something that you already forgot or missed reading.
Changing the Window Size
Enlarging the ColorWasher window will allow you to display the image larger in the preview or a larger portion of the image if you zoom in. However, doing that will also increase the time that ColorWasher needs to update the preview. If you use an old and slow computer, it isn't recommended to enlarge the ColorWasher dialog. On the contrary you can also make it smaller to make ColorWasher render the preview faster.
To resize the ColorWasher window and make the preview larger you have to move your cursor at the border of the ColorWasher dialog. The cursor will then turn into a double arrow. Holding down the left mouse button and dragging the mouse changes the size of the window. Double clicking the ColorWasher letters at the left side of the title bar will maximize the window, double clicking them again will restore the old window size.
The Preview
On the left hand side of the dialog box is the preview box that shows you how the final effect will look like. When executing ColorWasher it will always display the full image in the preview. This is also the recommended way to work on an image. If you zoom into the image, only a part of the image is displayed in the preview. The image can then be moved by holding down the right mouse button (or pressing the Alt key and holding down the left mouse button) and moving the mouse. While it is moved, the original image is shown and after you release the left mouse button the preview is recalculated.
ColorWasher lets you draw a so-called sample area on the preview when you hold down the left mouse button and move the mouse. Please don't confuse this sample area with an image selection as it is known from graphics applications. The sample area may look like a selection marquee, but it is used to measure the color it surrounds and not for selecting a certain part of the image. For more information, please read the Sample Area page.
If one of the Spit Views is activated, you can move the separation lines in the preview by holding down the ALT key and dragging or you can select one of the split areas by holding down the Shift key and clicking on it. For more information, please read the Split View page.
The Zoom Buttons and Zoom Check Box
At the right bottom of the preview box you can see a '+' and '-' button with a percentage label in between. These zoom button let you adjust the size of the image in the preview box. 100% means that the original size of the image is displayed.
By default when starting ColorWasher, the zoom rate will be automatically set to make the image fit into the preview. If you hold the Shift key when pressing one of zoom buttons, the zoom factor will be set to the highest (100%) or lowest acceptable value (fitted zoom). If you hold the CTRL key when pressing one of the zoom buttons, the zoom factor will be set to the highest (100%) or lowest possible value (6%). Some very old applications (e.g. Corel Photopaint 7 or Corel Xara 2) don't support preview zooming. In this case the + and - buttons are grayed out.
To jump from one preview zoom rate to another you can use the zoom combo box which is located between the two zoom buttons. It also offers the option "Fit" which should be used most of the time.
Easy Mode
In Easy Mode only the most important controls and options will be accessible. This is helpful when you are just starting with ColorWasher or want to do some quick corrections. For more information, please read the Easy Mode page.
Instant Preview
Activating the Instant Preview check box makes the preview update while you create a sample area, move the sample area or move the Split View separation line(s). This immediate visual feedback helps you saving time when adjusting the sample area or placing the separation line(s).
IMPORTANT: If you have a slower computer (Pentium 500 or slower), you should set the zoom to "Fit" or even smaller. That will speed up rendering the preview and will let you use the Instant Preview feature effectively.
Split View & Multiple
ColorWasher offers various split views for evaluating or correcting the image. For more information, please read the Split View page.
The Neutral and B/W Buttons
Activating the Neutral button makes ColorWasher hide the areas of the image that are not or not nearly color-neutral. This gives you a hint where you should draw a sample area. However, this feature doesn't work perfectly sometimes, so don't trust it too much. For more information, please read the Sample Area page.
The B/W button displays the image in the preview grayscaled. This can be a help when correcting the Contrast, Exposure or the Levels of the image. The B/W button can also be used to convert your image into B/W image. Various other options of ColorWasher let you adjust the B/W look.
Sliders
Sliders can be used to select a certain value within a specific value range. To do that you can drag the slider knob with the mouse (or keyboard), enter a numerical value in the white text box at the right of the slider bar, click somewhere on the slider bar for large value steps or use the two arrow buttons for small value steps. Holding the Shift key while dragging the slider knob, makes the preview update with every movement of the knob.
OK, Cancel and ?
Clicking on the OK button exits ColorWasher and applies the correction to the image. The current settings are saved and restored when you use ColorWasher again. To make the visual cues (like the sample area, separation lines, Neutral mode or B/W mode) visible in the processed image hold down the CTRL key while clicking on OK.
"Cancel" simply exits ColorWasher without changing the image. Depending on the application you are using, the current settings will be lost immediately or kept as long as your image application is running. If you hold down the CTRL key while clicking on Cancel, you will be prompted for Cloak Mode. In Cloak Mode the current settings will be applied to the image without displaying the ColorWasher dialog. For more information, please read the Cloak Mode page.