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Participant
December 12, 2016
Answered

Tethered Capture with Onion Skin layer for creating composites

  • December 12, 2016
  • 2 replies
  • 5825 views

Feature request: 

I would like Lightroom to be able to do Tethered Capture with Onion Skin layer for creating composite images.   This would allow for a layer to be viewed over a background image in a reduced opacity (adjustable) just to make sure that perspectives are correct.   I don't want to create a real layered PS style document, just display over another to make sure it's the right perspective and such before moving forward. 

Adobe, would you please add this to a future release???

Correct answer Rob_Cullen

Lightroom has this feature, called Image Overlay.

You will need your "Onion Skin" overlay created preferably as a PNG type file with transparent areas. (Without transparency the overlay must be reduced in opacity to see the image below.)

Select the Onion Skin Overlay [Ctrl+Shift+Alt+O]  or Menu>View>Loupe Overlay>Choose Layout Image. The overlay can be re-sized, and hold Ctrl to adjust opacity with the 'scrubby' adjustment below the image.

With Loupe view active, and camera tethered, as the images import you will see them with the Overlay in place.

Ctrl+Alt+O  will toggle the overlay Visible/Hidden.

2 replies

danielg17150403
Participant
December 11, 2018

Is there a way to set the overlay image using another image in your catalogue rather than loading it from the source file?

Rob_Cullen
Community Expert
Community Expert
December 11, 2018

danielg17150403  wrote

Is there a way to set the overlay image using another image in your catalogue rather than loading it from the source file?

I do not think so. (I have not found a way to select the Overlay from a Lightroom folder view)

Selecting an "Overlay" image [Ctrl+Alt+Shift+O]  always opens up the File browser (File Explorer / Finder).

I suggest to create a folder to store your PNG (with transparency) overlay files making them easy to find.

Use this same folder to store PNG Identity plate graphics and Logos, etc.

Your folder of 'Overlays' can be imported to show  in the Lightroom catalog (like any other image), so if memory is failing, you can right-click the overlay image in the Catalog to [Show in Explorer/Finder], and refresh your memory.

Edit: I just noticed (LR-Classic v8.0) that [Ctrl+Alt+Shift+O] will only show PNG type files for choice. So 'Overlay' files MUST be of PNG file-type!

Regards. My System: Windows-11, Lightroom-Classic 15.0, Photoshop 27.0, ACR 18.0, Lightroom 9.0, Lr-iOS 10.4.0, Bridge 16.0 .
danielg17150403
Participant
December 12, 2018

That's a shame. Adobe maybe this can be a feature in the future? I am a product photographer and it would be handy for positioning different colour products in exactly the same place without the hassle of having to go in search of the last picture I took.

Rob_Cullen
Community Expert
Rob_CullenCommunity ExpertCorrect answer
Community Expert
December 12, 2016

Lightroom has this feature, called Image Overlay.

You will need your "Onion Skin" overlay created preferably as a PNG type file with transparent areas. (Without transparency the overlay must be reduced in opacity to see the image below.)

Select the Onion Skin Overlay [Ctrl+Shift+Alt+O]  or Menu>View>Loupe Overlay>Choose Layout Image. The overlay can be re-sized, and hold Ctrl to adjust opacity with the 'scrubby' adjustment below the image.

With Loupe view active, and camera tethered, as the images import you will see them with the Overlay in place.

Ctrl+Alt+O  will toggle the overlay Visible/Hidden.

Regards. My System: Windows-11, Lightroom-Classic 15.0, Photoshop 27.0, ACR 18.0, Lightroom 9.0, Lr-iOS 10.4.0, Bridge 16.0 .
Participant
December 16, 2016

Thank you, very much!!   I had no idea that feature was in Lightroom!!   It works great!