The Control Line tool is a graduated filter that uses the Control Points technology (Upoints).
The reference area is located using a dropper. This selective collector analyzes a group of pixels in its collection range (not configurable). It takes into account the density – brightness and contrast – as well as the color to apply the correction to the pixels of the mask with the same characteristics.
Two selectivity parameters define the sensitivity of the tool, according to the color (Chroma) or to the luminosity (Luma), for total control of the effect.
This Local Adjustment combines performance and ease of use. It is a good substitute to replace several control points.
Create a Local Adjustment Control line
This Local Adjustment takes place in two-step.
– Right click on the image to access the Radial menu – Select the control line (Shift+ L) (a)
1- Left click to start the border at 100% opacity (continuous line)
– Hold down the mouse button and drag to define the second line
– The movement defines the transition area: gradient towards 0% opacity (dotted line) and orientates the whole in the same action (b)
2- Click and drag the dropper initially placed next to the tool indicator to define the reference area (d)
The angular position is changed by moving the indicator (the handle) on the dotted line.
* Momentarily increase the distance between the two lines to gain accuracy in rotation (c)
* When the angular position of the straight lines is close to horizontal or vertical, the system experiences a floating moment indicating the exact positioning
* On the other hand, for a precise angular position close to the horizon, press ctrl to rotate the filter without aligning it with the horizontal or vertical (c)
The two lines can be moved by clicking on any point on the line.
* Moving the indicator moves both lines
* Pressing the Ctrl key beforehand also moves the eyedropper
Pressing th M /Shift+ Mkey generates a monochrome display in order to appreciate the extent of the mask coverage area.
The Chroma and Luma settings allow for precise dropper placement.
– Switch the mask to monochrome display (M /Shift+ M) (e)
– Adjust Chroma to modify the range according to the tone of the selected color
– Adjust Luma to modify the range according to the brightness of the area
– Move the dropper to define the mask precisely
Note the extreme values:
With 0% chrominance, almost all of the pixels in the hue, folded down or saturated, are embedded.
0% luminance corresponds to no progressive contour for the mask.
Here is a demonstration of the selectivity of the Control Line tool. The exercise consists in changing the color of the flowers without altering the color of the bricks and the illuminated signs.
– Draw a slanted line to limit the space on the wall and spare the sign (a)
– Place the dropper (b) on a flower and change the color to green
– Find the appropriate Chroma and Luma values (c)
– Note the color change of the bricks (d)
– Add a protective line (Alt+Click) and place the eyedropper on the bricks (e)
– Turn off the tool to see the effect (f)
Combine masks of Local Control
The Control Line and Control Point masks can be used together.
Adding secondary masks allows you to refine the influence of the initial local adjustment.
The Control Point tool can be used as an eraser by pressing the Alt key.
– With Local Control active, check that the radial menu points to the Control Line type or select Control Point
– The additional masks, active by default, complete the area
– By pressing the Alt key, they become protective masks that inhibit the correction on the area they cover
Each additional mask has its reference area defined by:
– Its dropper for the Control Line
– Its central disk for the Control Point
BUT the selectivity value (Chroma and Luma) is unique for all Local Adjustment.
* The dropper is only displayed for the active control line to avoid confusion when there are several masks
* Only the first mask has the equalizer
* Controlling the action of the cumulation of masks with the monochrome mode (M / Shift+ M)
When you reverse (shift+ I) the local Adjustment Control Line, adding a mask is impossible.
– Reverse the local Adjustment to add a new line, a control point or a protection point
MacOS only:
In Local Adjustments mode on an cropped mage, it is now possible to display the full image for more convenience.
– Toggling on the “Show uncropped areas” option in the tool’s toolbar
On the contrary, with Windows, you must remember to deactivate the cropping before switching to the Local Settings mode.
The first use case consists in modifying the sky without changing the foreground.
0- No correction – The sky is too bright
1- Classic graduated filter – The character is also darkened
2- Control line with the dropper placed on the sky. 50% selectivity (default) – The character dressed in blue is darkened
3- Chroma selectivity at 100% – The character is almost ignored by the correction
4- Protection control point associated with the Control line – The character is not corrected
Advanced usage
The lines of the Control Line mask can be placed outside the image. This use of the Control Line is similar to a Global Adjustment that would benefit from Selectivity (Chroma and Luma).
This feature is perfect for desaturating shadows.
An example of an application to quickly correct an image with two different tones (White balance).
0- No correction – Color temperature difference is too sharp
1- Control line with the pipette placed on a plate
Note the two lines outside the frame.
Luma at 75% to hold the correction in the light areas
The scene retains its atmosphere but the light areas are less yellowed
2- Protection control line – A denatured area of the wall is restored
The strength of the tool is that it can be arranged without special care.
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