General Usage
Before using ContrastMaster you have to start your
preferred image editing application and open an image or photo. Please note
that ContrastMaster only works on images in 8bit or 16bit RGB mode. If your
image is grayscaled, has only 256 colors or is a CMYK image, you have to convert
it in your image application to RGB before you can start working on it with
ContrastMaster. If the opened image is not RGB, ContrastMaster will appear grayed
out on the menu.
To run ContrastMaster please open the menu that leads to the plugin filters
(usually the "Filter", "Effects" or "Image -> Plug-ins" menu) and choose
"ContrastMaster" from the "PhotoWiz" sub menu.
Basic Design
ContrastMaster features 6 different modes which can be selected from the Mode combo box at the top. When you run ContrastMaster for the first time you should explore Novice mode first. For more information on the various modes, please read the Modes page.
The Preview
On the left-hand side of the dialog box is the preview box that shows the effect. When executing ContrastMaster it will fit the full image in the preview. This is also the recommended way to work on an image. If you zoom into the image, only a part of the image is displayed in the preview. The image can then be moved by holding down the right mouse button (or the left mouse button in case the hand tool at the top is activated) and moving the mouse. While it is moved, the original image is shown, and after you release the left mouse button the preview is recalculated.
The Preview Tab Buttons
Above the preview you can see three tab buttons called Preview 1, Preview 2 and Preview 3. With their help you can quickly switch between three different filter settings and compare them. Only the effect of the selected Preview tab button will be rendered when you press OK. Right clicking on the tab buttons displays a context menu for copying the settings of the currently selected tab to one of the other tabs.
The Tool Icons
The hand icon is activated by default. The hand tool lets you scroll the preview by dragging with the pressed down left mouse button. Even if the hand tool is not activated, you can always scroll the preview with the help of the right mouse button. If you activate the color picker icon, you can click somewhere on the preview to select a certain color for one of the two color boxes on the Mask tab sheet. The color picker tool is not available in Novice mode. The split view tool lets you drag the separation line between the split views or set a focus point if the Multiple check box is active. It automatically activates split view if you click on it.
Changing the Window Size
You can enlarge the ContrastMaster preview window to also make the preview larger. However, doing that will also increase the time that ContrastMaster needs to update the preview. If you use an old and slow computer, it isn't recommended to enlarge the ContrastMaster dialog. On the contrary you can also make it smaller to make ContrastMaster render the preview faster.
To resize the ContrastMaster window and make the preview larger under Windows you have to move your cursor to the border of the ContrastMaster dialog. The cursor will then turn into a double arrow. Holding down the left mouse button and dragging the mouse changes the size of the window. Double clicking the ContrastMaster title at the top left corner will maximize the window, double clicking it again will restore the old window size.
Under MacOS X you need to drag the handle at the bottom right of the ContrastMaster dialog to make the dialog larger.
The Help Text Box
The Help feature makes it easier for new users to get started and makes it possible to use ContrastMaster without a glance at the manual. If you move the mouse over a certain control, the text box will display an explanation about the control. After you have made yourself familiar with ContrastMaster, you may deactivate these explanations by deactivating the check box in the bottom right corner of the Help box. We recommend that you keep it nevertheless activated.
The Zoom Buttons and Zoom Check Box
At the right bottom of the preview box you can see a '+' and '-' button with a percentage number in between. These zoom buttons let you adjust the size of the image in the preview box. "100%" means that the original size of the image is displayed. "Fit" means that the whole image is always displayed in the preview.
By default when starting ContrastMaster the zoom rate will be automatically set to make the image fit into the preview. If you hold the Shift key when pressing one of the zoom buttons, the zoom factor will be set to the highest (100%) or lowest acceptable value (fitted zoom). If you hold the CTRL key when pressing one of the zoom buttons, the zoom factor will be set to the highest (100%) or lowest possible value (6%). Some very old applications (e.g. Corel Photopaint 7 or Corel Xara 2) don't support preview zooming. In this case the zoom buttons won't work.
To jump from one preview zoom rate to another you can use the zoom combo box which is located between the two zoom buttons.
Auto Preview
If the Auto Preview check box is deactivated, the effect will not be rendered in the preview. Instead you will see the original image. You can also see the original image by right clicking on the preview. A deactivated Auto Preview can also be used quickly change slider values without having the preview updated after each change.
Split View & Multiple
ContrastMaster offers various split views for comparing the original with the processed image. To move the separation lines or set a focus point you need to activate the split view tool at the top right corner of the preview. For more information, please read the Split View page.
Sliders
Sliders can be used to select a certain value within a specific value range. To do that you can drag the slider thumb with the mouse (or keyboard), click somewhere on the slider bar for large value steps or use the two arrow buttons for small value steps. Alternatively you can also enter a numerical value in the text box at the right of the slider bar.
You can also use the mouse wheel to change the slider values. You need to give the slider the focus by clicking on it or using the tab key. Then you can scroll the mouse wheel to move the slider thumb. After you stop moving the wheel the preview will automatically update.
You can hold down the Shift key while dragging the slider thumb to make the preview update with every movement of the thumb.
OK, Cancel and ?
Clicking on the OK button exits ContrastMaster and applies the effect to the image. The current settings are saved and restored when you use ContrastMaster again (bur only if you keep the Previous Settings item activated in the On Start Up combo box in Preferences).
The Cancel button simply exits ContrastMaster without changing the image. The current settings will be lost immediately. If you hold down the CTRL key while clicking on Cancel, you will be prompted for Cloak Mode. In Cloak Mode the current settings will be applied to the image without displaying the ContrastMaster dialog. For more information, please read the Cloak Mode page.