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Participant
May 23, 2017
Answered

Camera RAW Sharpening tool

  • May 23, 2017
  • 3 replies
  • 1822 views

In the sharpening section of ACR when I hold the Alt key while adjusting the masking slider... how can I save that mask to use later when I'm in Photoshop?

    This topic has been closed for replies.
    Correct answer Jeff Schewe

    robertoldfart343  wrote

    In the sharpening section of ACR when I hold the Alt key while adjusting the masking slider... how can I save that mask to use later when I'm in Photoshop?

    You can't...the display is only showing you the edge masking ACR is creating inside of ACR. There's no way to save that and use it elsewhere since it really only exists inside of ACR.

    3 replies

    Conrad_C
    Community Expert
    Community Expert
    May 28, 2017

    The mask you see in Camera Raw is an automated version of a mask that some have already been using in Photoshop for many years, so instead of trying to transfer the Camera Raw mask to Photoshop, you can also build your own mask like that in Photoshop in just a few steps. There's a demo in the video below, but the basic idea is to copy the image layer, run the High Pass filter on the copy, and use the result as an edge mask. You can adjust the strength of your Photoshop edge mask layer by changing the High Pass radius, changing layer Opacity, applying a layer blending mode, or using commands like Levels and Curves to adjust the contrast of the mask layer itself.

    Creative use of the High Pass filter in Photoshop | Adobe Photoshop CC tutorials

    Participant
    May 29, 2017

    Sorry but I disagree... I use the applied image method of sharpening, I

    "NEVER" use the High Pass filter, because of it's innate flaws. If you use

    the High Pass filter and match it with the same radius Low Pass filter

    (Gaussian Blur) and combine the two filters in a group. These two filters

    combined should have "0" effect, They should perfectly cancel each other

    out. As you turn the group on and off you will see that the High Pass

    filter is less than perfect...the shadow and highlight areas are distorted.

    If you do the exact same thing with the applied image method there is "NO

    CHANGE" when you turn off that group. I admit it is a bit more work but you

    can solve that with actions and build a number of them with different

    radius. Look up High Pass sucks for the step by step. Plus by using a

    clever radius in applied image you will also create a frequency separation

    and do sharpening at the same time by how you mask things....

    Plus your method doesn't create a black and white mask that you can combine

    with other black and white masks.

    Jeff ScheweCorrect answer
    Participating Frequently
    May 27, 2017

    robertoldfart343  wrote

    In the sharpening section of ACR when I hold the Alt key while adjusting the masking slider... how can I save that mask to use later when I'm in Photoshop?

    You can't...the display is only showing you the edge masking ACR is creating inside of ACR. There's no way to save that and use it elsewhere since it really only exists inside of ACR.

    Participant
    May 27, 2017

    I suspected that... but it would be way cool to be able to use that mask

    later... Adobe are you listening lol

    On Sat, May 27, 2017 at 12:21 AM, Jeff Schewe <forums_noreply@adobe.com>

    JP Hess
    Inspiring
    May 27, 2017

    Camera Raw is a plug-in to Photoshop because it is providing access to non-pixel data. In my opinion, it's unlikely that there is any way to integrate a mask from a plug-in to the main program. But this isn't really the forum to expect Adobe engineers to hear ideas such as yours. Here is the link to express your idea. It's more likely to at least get some feedback from those who know.

    Photoshop Family Customer Community

    JP Hess
    Inspiring
    May 23, 2017

    I'm not sure where you're going with this. But you can save the sharpening settings as a preset. If you're using Photoshop CC you could call the Camera Raw filter and recall that preset from within Photoshop. But as far as I know, there isn't any way to recall a mask created in Camera Raw from Photoshop.