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Star KNOW HOW TRANSFER

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uic
Q Open Mask
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MASK Equalizer Italiano

User Manual - Version 1.1.2 - January 2017

Install Mask Equalizer Install

The install files are downloadable from the download email links
or logging in your My Account page

Download 1: Mask Equalizer for MAC

Download 2: Mask Equalizer for WIN
Download 3: Documentation and extras
This last folder contains the user manuals in additional
languages and extra contents as actions or test files.

Right click and open to install

MAC users that have the security preference tab checked on

Allow apps downloaded from Mac Apps Store will receive
an alert that this app has not downloaded from Apple Store.
Ok, and proceed to install.
Additional step for pre-CC 2014 users
WIN users will be asked Do you want to allow this app from
We mean the first version of. CC, released in 2013.
an unknown publisher to make changes to your PC?
2014 and later are OK.
Ok, and proceed to install.
To complete the installation, please go to FAQ page >

Right click and open to uninstall Compatibility

Same procedure using the Uninstall.app button Photoshop CC and above Install Tutorial
MAC OSX 10.7 Lion and above
WIN 10 and above (64bit only)
KnowHowTransfer | MASK Equalizer | 2
Open Mask Equalizer Open Mask

Open Mask Equalizer

Photoshop/Window/extensions/MASK Equalizer
Then you can drag it in the palette area.

Do NOT open Mask Equalizer

Photoshop/Filter/Know-How Transfer/Mask Equalizer 1.0

This menu item is only for internal use

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Tutorials Tutorials

Access and update the user manual Tutorial Page

You can open this user manual from the book icon in the panel.
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The panel in compact and extended mode The Panel

Easy presets section. Four buttons to create the most

common mask: highlights, shadows, mid tones and,
the most used, shadows and highlight. Pressing
the buttons the sliders set accordingly. Check the
preview and proceed or tweak them manually.

Intermediate sections. Tonal range (luminosity)

sliders. Left to right blacks, shadows, shadows/
midtones, midtones, midtones/highlights, highlights
and whites. Starting from the presets, or from scratch
you will able to easily and quickly create even the
most complex mask.

The sliders in this third section allow changing the

opacity of the mask, feather it, or tweak its contrast
while keeping the mid tones unchanged. The use of
these options, usually complicated, is made easy by
the MASK and COMP Preview which will allow you to
work perceptively.

Fourth section. It contains the priceless double

Pull this small handle preview. By default it shows the MASK Preview
to open the panel in full mode (as a black & white mask). Toggling the button it
shows the COMP Preview that is the image with
the mask applied. This section also contains the
According to your needs you can
advanced users menu to use different channels: r, g,
compact the panel or extend it in full
b, saturation, etc. instead of the default luminosity
mode in order to access to advanced
channel.
options.

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Additional buttons The Panel

ON: Go back and forth from original to the mask applied

preview.

HOME: Links to MASK Equalizer web page

?: Info on version release

APPLY: In general you will not use it. When you re-open MASK
Equalizer, the sliders will set to the last values applied. In this
case you must press APPLY to activate MASK.

RESET: Set all vertical sliders to 0

SMALL HANDLE: Use it to switch the panel from compact

to full mode

CHANNELS MENU: CHANNELS MENU: By default, MASK

Equalizer works in Luminosity mode uses the tonal bands of
the L channel of Lab.

Alternatively, you can use one the three channels of RGB or the
Saturation channel of HSB.

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The presets Presets

To start you have four presets buttons that cover the most common needs.
Shadows Midtones Highlights and Shadows + Highlights added. This last one is the most common. You can, of course, modify them.

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Vertical sliders Sliders

Multiple tonal ranges (luminosity) sliders. Left to right, blacks, shadows, shadows/mid tones, mid tones, mid tones/highlights, highlights, and
whites. Starting from the presets, or from scratch, you will be able to easily and quickly create even the most elaborate mask.

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Horizontal sliders Sliders

The horizontal sliders allow changing the opacity of the mask, feather it or tweak its contrast while keeping the mid tones unchanged.
The use of these options, usually complicated, is made easy by the double preview which will allow you to work perceptively.

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How to move the sliders Sliders

The sliders must be used differently depending on whether you are using CC 2015 and above, or previous CC versions.

Drag and Point

release and click
or
point and Do not drag
click and release

Dedicated Tutorial

CC 2015 and above CC and CC 2014

Click where you want to place the slider Because of an Adobe issue, while you drag the slider
or drag it: the preview will be applied only the preview is continuously applied.
once released the mouse button. This greatly slows down the preview.
Simply click where you want to place the slider.
Do not drag the slider

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Mask and Comp preview Double Preview

The double live preview is the priceless wonder-option of MASK Equalizer. You can preview the black & white mask or just the image with the
mask already applied. Switching from mask to image (comp) preview you will be able to refine the mask avoiding posterization and halos.

A quick example. The original was very flat. So we used Mask preview (Mask button) Comp preview (Comp Button) and the final result after
Wow! (with preset Enhanced Black Control) Adding adding a 50 feathering to avoid banding in the neon
shape and mood. However blacks were too dark, and lights.
whites, already in the original were not well detailed.

Toggle the button to show the MASK Preview as a black

& white mask or the COMP Preview that is the image
with the mask applied.

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How Mask Equalizer works with pixel layers Layers

BEFORE: Start with the original layer and with a second layer already AFTER: The mask created was added to the previously
post-produced. For instance, you may have added a layer mask, a selected layer.
version with a lot of clarity or an application of Know-How Transfer
NOTE: MASK Equalizer works with RGB files only, 8, 16 or 32 bit.
(Wow!, VitaminBW, ALCE, NEXT, etc.) or third party.

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How Mask Equalizer works with adjustments layers Layers

BEFORE: add an adjustment layer. AFTER: As MASK Equalizer cannot work on THE MASK ON THE ADJUSTMENT LAYER:
adjustment layers it creates a composite layer The user must simply drag the mask to the
on top and deactivates the adjustment layer as adjustment layer, activate it and trash the
this allows to see the preview also in this case. temporary layer.

NOTE: A PS window will alert you that a

duplicate layer will be created on top.
Learn More

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How Mask Equalizer works with advanced objects or groups Layers

BEFORE: Similar situation as the previous AFTER: As MASK Equalizer doesnt work with THE MASK ON THE ADVANCED OBJECT:
page but with an advanced object. advanced objects it creates a composite layer The user must simply drag the mask to the
on the and deactivates the selected advanced advanced object, activate it and trash the
object as this allows seeing the preview also in temporary layer.
this case.

NOTE: A PS window will alert you that a

duplicate layer will be created on top. Learn More

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Feathering. Mask blurring. Case 1 Feathering

MASK PREVIEW: we added a shadow mask COMP PREVIEW: once switched to Comp
to a curve adjustment layer: Judging from the Preview you may notice an unacceptable
mask preview it looks fine. posterization.

RIGHT IMAGE: FEATHER 50: posterization has

been removed. Usually, we suggest feathering
the mask at the end of the process as a sharper
mask is easier to be judged.

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Feathering. Mask blurring. Case 2 Feathering

MASK PREVIEW: The mask, judging from the COMP PREVIEW: Once switched to comp FEATHER 35: FEATHER 35: The gradations
mask preview seems to be perfect. preview you may notice a very ugly effect in have been greatly improved. Please notice
some borders. that this correction is perceptive. The user
does not need to be an expert.

Learn More

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Mask Equalizer with Wow! Frequency Equalizer Mask at Work

This plug-in that creates sophisticated luminosity masks with one click shines used together with Wow!
Thanks to Mask Equalizer you can push the sliders of Wow! Without worrying about blacks details or lights unwanted areas.
Just apply the highlights+shadows presets, a quick adjustment and a bit of feathering will fix this issues. As a final touch, opacity slider will help
you to control the amount of the effect. This before after below is a one-step application.

Learn More

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Mask Equalizer with Wow! Pro and Decompose Mask at Work

The two plugins work even better in non-conventional techniques combining the Decompose function in Wow! Pro. Mask Equalizer, in this case,
makes the difference for a next level control of contrast, local contrast, sharpness, highlights and shadows detail.
Now launch Decompose first and reduce the opacity of the Base layer, i.e. 50. Now add a shadow or shadow/highlight mask to the Decom-
pose group. Now drag the layer mask from the temporary layer to the Decompose group, activate it and trash the temporary layer. Finally you
can tweak the opacity of the base layer. Contrast, local contrast, saturation, and sharpness will be improved with a natural result and no halos.

Learn More

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Mask Equalizer with Camera Raw Mask at Work

Mask Equalizer is a perfect complement with Camera Raw. You can export two or more versions and add a layer mask on the top layer.
Fixes the ugly rendition of blacks with clarity and many other issues.
Out of this example, Mask Equalizer is a must have tool virtually in any digital workflow.

Learn More

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Quick rescue page FAQ

Mask Equalizer used with Next crashes PS

Please upgrade Mask Equalizer to the latest version 1.1.0 or later

Additional step for pre-CC 2014 users

We mean the first version of CC, released in 2013. 2014 and later are OK.
Move the in foldercom.knowhowtransfer.maskequalizer
from CEP to CEPServiceManager4 folder
This below is the path for WIN
C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Adobe\CEP\extensions\
C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Adobe\CEPServiceManager4\extensions\
This below is the path for MAC
Macintosh HD/Library/Application Support/Adobe/CEP/extensions
Macintosh HD/Library/Application Support/Adobe/ CEPServiceManager4/extensions/
If you don t see the folder CEPServiceManager4 create it manually and inside create
a folder named extensions. Please type them as they are. Names are case-sensitive.

Still have problems?

Go to FAQ page

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Update the current version or download again Updates

Check if a newer release is available Update the embedded manual

Here where you can check the latest version number You can access the user manual trough the book icon at the
1. At the bottom of the product page bottom of the panel.
2. In the FAQ page under Version and Compatibility You may verify if a more recent version is available checking
3. In the purchase page the release date in the manuals front page.

Download the latest version of the application To update the embedded manual:
1. Download the latest version.
To download the latest version; 2. Replace it in the propers folder.
1. Go to your My Account Page MAC: Macintosh HD/Library/Application Support/MASK
2. Log-in using your username and your password. If you dont WIN: C:\Program Files\Common Files\Know-How Transfer\MASK
remember it, please use the password recovery service.

Once inside you can:

1. Download the latest version of the purchased applications.
2. Edit your personal details, password and email address included.
3 You can of course also add our freeware or buy new products. Check Version
In this case, once completed the payment go back to your
My account page and download the app just purchased. My Account Page
.
Downloadable items Download Manual
1. MAC installer, as a DNG
2. WIN installer, as an EXE
3. Documentation (and eventually extras), as a zip.

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 KNOW HOW TRANSFER
the photography knowledge hub

About Know-How Transfer La Dolce Vita. An Era Ends

The Photography Knowledge Hub By Dan Margulis

Everyone dealing with photography and digital imaging will They say that Italians get emotional at times like this, and that
find a unique mix of instructional and how-to content here. Italians love beautiful things. I admit to feeling a bit Italian my-
We offer applications specifically designed by photographers self as I write this. I *have* developed an emotional
for photographers, as well as effective tutorials and free attachment to the country, no doubt. And the relationships I
resources. Our mission is to create a community, a Central have entered into with several of my students in that country
Hub of Photography Knowledge, where photographers can have evolved into something, well, profoundly loving. The old
exchange experiences, share information and grow their skills. joke has it that in heaven, all lovers are Italian. Right offhand
Read more about our team. I can think of a couple of exceptions to this generality, but
there is no need to go off-topic.
Many of our team come from the school of the great Dan
Margulis and still have a very special relationship with him. The truth is that it is a land of love and great beauty, made all
We are pleased to report here what he wrote about this group the more beautiful professionally by seeing the new and so-
in his famous post La Dolce Vita - An era ends: phisticated imaging algorithms being developed by Davide
with Marco Olivotto, and by seeing how Alessandro, Daniele
Di Stanio, Tiziano Fruet and others have brought first-class
Watch the About Us Video color instruction into a country where it was rarely found
previously.

KnowHowTransfer | MASK Equalizer | 22

Professional plugins for Photoshop Product Range

NEXT Local Contrast Enhancer Wow! Frequency Equalizer Pro Edition VitaminBW - Single and Triple Tone Black&White Converter

NEXT Local Contrast Enhancer. The Next Generation ALCE. Live preview, Same features of Wow! Classic plus the new Decomposition button You An original approach to B&W Conversion with a very clean and simple
improved embedded halos suppress tool, three masking sliders, Quad- can now turn each frequency into its pixel layer for a better and more interface. Just press the Single Tone or the Triple Tone button to be
Core processing and 32bit computing, not available in Photoshop. precise frequency based retouching. quickly introduced to advanced conversion techniques.
PS CC and above - MAC & WIN. Buy 30 > PS CC and above - MAC & WIN. Buy 40 > PS CS6 and above - MAC & WIN. Buy 28 >

Wow! Frequency Equalizer Social Edition Wow! Frequency Equalizer Classic Edition Channels Power Tool - Advanced Mask Editing

A miniaturized version of Wow! with a re-designed algorithm with Boost and smooth an image in one step detail scales through five dedi- Easily get a preview or create masks out of all available channels. Use
shorter range sliders and dedicated preset optimized for sizes from 800 cated sliders. Positive values, which add detail or shape. Negative value the powerful Apply Image option to precisely recover the details of your
to 1500 px Works with files up to 19201920 px removes detail and create great, soft transitions. files. CPT will enhance your color control precision and productivity. PS
PS CC and Above - MAC & WIN Buy 15 > PS CS6 and Above - MAC & WIN Buy 30 > PS CS5 and Above - MAC & WIN. Buy 24 >

KnowHowTransfer | MASK Equalizer | 23

The Wow! Range. Classic, Pro, Social and Video Edition Product Range

Wow! is an exclusive Photoshop extension that improves images with a magical combina-
tion of sharpening, shape and smoothing we call this the The Wow! Factor.
Wow! adds style, image sharpness, and three-dimensionality together with incredibly
smooth transitions. Use our easy presets with just one button, or take full control with the
high quality live preview to add and remove details by tweaking our five dedicated sliders.

There are four versions of Wow!, three for Photoshop and one for video.

Wow! Frequency Equalizer Classic Edition (Former Wow! Tonal Equalizer)

Our Premium Frequency separation Plugin. Five detail scales working independently with positive (add contrast
sharpening and local contrast) and negative (remove contrast and smooth) values.
PS CS6 and above MAC & WIN. Buy 30>

Wow! Frequency Equalizer Pro Edition

Same features of Wow! Classic plus the new Decomposition button You can now turn each frequency into its pix-
el layer for a better and more precise frequency based retouching.
Works with two different engines: Classic and Social
PS CC and above - MAC & WIN. Buy 40>

Wow! Frequency Equalizer Social Edition

A miniaturized version of Wow! Clssic with a re-designed algorithm with shorter range sliders and dedicated
presets optimized for sizes from 800 to 1500 px. Works with files up to 19201920 px
PS CC and above MAC & WIN. Buy 15>

Wow! Frequency Equalizer Video Edition for Adobe Premiere and After Effects
Works with the same powerful engine of Wow! Classic. Same ease of use and tuning effect. Wow! generates an
instant video preview and the export process his very fast. Its easy to use.
PS After Effects and Premiere CS6 and above - MAC & WIN. Buy 30>

Specifications for all versions

Works on 8,16 and 32bit files - New wavelet based algorithm
Wow! Home Page
Multi CPU accelerated. - 32bit color depth internal processing.

KnowHowTransfer | MASK Equalizer | 24

Freeware and Professional Raw Scan Service Product Range

Floating Adjustments - Restores the old CS3 floating window False Profile - Tonal range control with low or high gamma Hasselblad 3F 16bit Raw Scan Service

Restores the Adjustment Layers bigger, floating windows look and A Photoshop extension to automate the assignment of false RGB profiles 3F is a raw file obtained from an analog original. We will scan your
behavior which was the norm back in CS3. It allows the creation of 10 for a full control of the luminosity. Brings new features and refinements film with the Hasselblad hi-end scanners. Send us your originals from a
Adjustment kinds as big, floating windows, and the modifications of to the process of assigning false profiles. Works in conjunction with the 35mm to a 13x18cm/5x7, color or black and white, negative or positive.
existing adj. Dan Margulis PPW Tools. All PS Versions, MAC & WIN. Buy 3F 16 bit R
PS CS6 and above - MAC & WIN. Get Free > PS CS5 ans above - MAC & WIN. Get Free > CS2 and above, MAC & WIN Buy Raw Scan 7each.>

Photoshop Plugins Page

Store

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 KNOW HOW TRANSFER
the photography knowledge hub

Links and credits

Mask Equalizer knowhowtransfer.com / bigano srl

Plugin developed by KnowHowTransfer
GUI Panel Design by Davide Barranca

Images credits:
cover Irina Gromovataya- depositphotos.com
other images Roberto Bigano

Visit Know-How Transfer