1. Grad Filter Plugin - (with backwards compatibility)
A simple but very useful plugin that's very handy to have in the ajustment/editing process.
Pros
- - Ease of use
- Similiar to a photographic ND filter
- - 3rd party plugin (not an internal function)
- Unreliable upgrades (if any?)
- Limited to gradient darkening or lighten with option for color
The Grad Filter Plugin has been one of the most popular plugins of ASP, and many users have a large quantity of images edited with that tool. Corel should, if the plugin isn't updated, provide a tool/function that's backwards compatible to rescue all the images where that tool has been applied to.
2. Gradient tool for layers (next generation tool)
A gradient tool for layers will remove all the shortcomings of the Grad Filter Plugin. In many cases I find the plugin very limiting on my work. Often I would like to do more things to the sky than simple darkening (or lightening) allows me to do. For instance add more contrast, to enhance the structure of clouds, while darkening and adding vibrance to the blue colors. If I could use all the different functions and plugins that ASP has available in a gradient layer, I could do almost everything and more within the gradient selection without affecting the rest of the image. Everything is possible. The Bez filter for expaple chould control the sky and contrast in clouds perfectly, while the Color Equalizer plugin could work wonders on the blue shades.
ASP is in desperate need for a good gradient feature. The 3rd party gradient plugin has it's limitations, but the layer technology that ASP already has present should be the perfect match for a gradient layer filter.
Some people has suggested a workaround where you select a region and apply a big radius to simulate a gradient filter. This isn't a good solution for many types of images as the radius is very limited and it lacks the quick and handy controls as the Grad Filter Plugin has.
A gradient layer tool will also be a good answer to ASP's competitors, like Lightroom and others, and will elevate ASP towards it's competition...
- + A Gradient Tool for Layers should be accessible from the Layers Panel, where you could select +Adjust, +Heal/Clone, or +Gradient
+ When the Gradient Layer Tool is selected, the controls in the bottom of the panel should be expandable with a similiar set of sliders that is present in the Grad Filter Plugin, where you can select 1. "Show Effect" / select "Proofing Color", 2. Strength, 3. Edge, 4. Offset, 5. Rotation
+ There should also have been options for different gradient types (drop down menu with different gradient curve profile); A default gradient, and a possible negative grad filter like this from Singh Ray http://www.singh-ray.com/shop/daryl-ben ... y-filters/ (If we could have the default profile, different optional profiles might come on a later stage, but I included this as an idea...)
+ Possibility to have/store starter presets (factory made or custom) from a dropdown menu within the Layer Gradient Tool without the need for making presets in the preset menu.
- - Should be as easy to use as the Grad Filter Plugin.
- Can use all functions and plugins, just as you can with a normal layer selection.
- Unlimited gradients/layers.
- - Can't see any...
Adobe has had gradient ajustment functionality in Lightroom for ages. Corel has relied fully on a 3rd party plugin (a remnant from the Bibble days) that now seems to have been abandoned and discontinued. This has the latest 2.2 update so clearly revealed, where all plugins had to be reworked and recompiled to function. The most popular functions should have been secured and incorporated into the main product
ASP has many other good selection tools for layers, so why not have one for gradient selections? I guess that almost every photographer will need or praise a gradient selection/ajustment tool that allows for options in stead of limitations. I can't believe it could be so much more difficult to implement than the tools already present for selections in layers. ASP should be in the forefront in raw image conversion and image editing, and such a tool would definately give ASP the edge it needs to claim it's competitive position...
It would use the same technology we already have for layers, but with the controls and simplicity of the Grad Filter plugin. It should be easy to set, ajust and tweak as you want, but at the same time allow everything we can do for layers, including using plugins, presets and also as you mention; add and subrtact with the other tools already available for layers/regions...