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southwestform
Inspiring
April 10, 2017
Answered

Best way to compare different presets on a photo?

  • April 10, 2017
  • 2 replies
  • 2888 views

I want to apply different presets to a single photo to compare the different looks. I will likely do some basic retouching with the Spot Removal Tool, adjust exposure, and crop before trying the presets. After doing these basic adjustments, what is the best way to apply different presets for comparison? Virtual copies? Snapshots? OR something different?

Thanks.

    This topic has been closed for replies.
    Correct answer johnrellis

    applying a preset, remove it with Ctrl+Z and then applying the next, and so on ...would be an easy but fast way.

    To build on this, it's very important to do Ctrl/Cmd + Z (undo) after trying a preset. Otherwise, the settings of the presets accumulate.  Many people don't seem to realize this, and they freely click from preset to preset without undoing each, producing very unpredictable results.

    Also, you could try my Any Preset plugin, which does allow you to freely click (or cursor) from preset to preset without needing to undo. It provides a virtual-copy button to make it very fast to save away candidates for side-by-side comparison.

    2 replies

    Bob Somrak
    Bob Somrak
    Legend
    April 10, 2017

    To eliminate most presets from your choices you can hover the cursor over the see the temporary changes in the navigator.  It is kind of small you it gives you an idea of what the preset will do.  You can drag down through a list of preset quickly.  Just don't click

    M4 Pro Mac Mini. 48GB
    F. McLion
    Community Expert
    F. McLionCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    April 10, 2017

    If you want to see them side-by-side you need to make virtual copies.

    If not, applying a preset, remove it with Ctrl+Z and then applying the next, and so on ...would be an easy but fast way. For a one click switch use the snapshots.

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      johnrellis
      johnrellisCorrect answer
      Legend
      April 10, 2017

      applying a preset, remove it with Ctrl+Z and then applying the next, and so on ...would be an easy but fast way.

      To build on this, it's very important to do Ctrl/Cmd + Z (undo) after trying a preset. Otherwise, the settings of the presets accumulate.  Many people don't seem to realize this, and they freely click from preset to preset without undoing each, producing very unpredictable results.

      Also, you could try my Any Preset plugin, which does allow you to freely click (or cursor) from preset to preset without needing to undo. It provides a virtual-copy button to make it very fast to save away candidates for side-by-side comparison.

      S
      southwestformAuthor
      Inspiring
      April 11, 2017

      How are you able to click on different presets without it applying the previous settings to the image? What if you want to stack presets?

      Thanks.

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