DXO PHOTOLAB 7: 4 CONTROL LINE TIPS FOR BETTER MASKING

[@GordonFRegan]

Great video and I just subscribed because your channel is providing lots of good information

[@takebetterphotos8132]

Awesome, thank you!

[@gandolfred]

Thank you. Useful for work. ✨✌

[@takebetterphotos8132]

You're welcome 😊

[@avswing]

Superbly clear video.. I also would love to see an updated comparison of masking using the control line in Photolab 7, vs Lightroom, and Capture One. Including how to avoid haloing. I am glad I got DxO just for its apparently superior ability at least so far in 2023 for creating Bokeh, and have seen reviews showing DxO is superior with highlight recovery,...but am still curious about masking since Adobe seems to have perfected object masks. I'm not so much concerned that DxO is better, but is it at least equal? Ease of use as well.

[@takebetterphotos8132]

Hello thanks for the questions. I've had a lot of experience in masking in all these past few months so I'm happy to share. Well while control line is superior in some use cases in particularly dark foregrounds and skies, it's hard to beat Lightroom's/Capture One's AI masking when it comes to people, body parts like hair, eyes and teeth, clothes and masking specific objects. It is so much easier. All in all it depends on your use case but from what I've seen, DXO should add AI masking to remain competitive.

[@sebastianheuwagen9317]

thanks for your help

[@takebetterphotos8132]

You are welcome

[@christophermason7735]

Hi Robin. I currently have a trial of photolab 7. I like the software and would plan to use it with affinity photo when I need to use layer based edits. I'm struggling making selections in photolab 7. I watched your video and still struggling with lots of bleed outside the subject I'm trying to mask. If I can get this to work better I would much rather go with DXO photolab rather than start an Adobe subscription. As a weekend hobbyist it's difficult to justify a subscription for a few images a month just for sharing on FB. If you can point me to the best PL7 masking tutorials it will be much appreciated. Also, thanks for your great tutorials on affinity photo. When I switched from paint shop pro to Affinity photo 2 a couple of years ago your videos were super helpful

[@takebetterphotos8132]

Hello there, perhaps it will be more helpful if you can describe the subject you are trying to mask. If control line or control point is not working then why not try tool automatic mask tool which has edge detection built in. It will not bleed like control line or control point which are really glorified gradient masks. Here is my tutorial on it kzbin.info/www/bejne/n3yakmljqamtZtksi=fq9gHbtQrhLdpo19

[@user-bd6bx6py7d]

Thank you for all your great videos on DxO. I have been viewing the Local Masking Tools videos several times. Just one point: You use the Ink Dropper to provide a reference luminosity. However I think to access this feature I need the Film Pack which I dont have. The Luminosity Mask button is greyed out in my screen. Is my observation correct?? Thanks

[@takebetterphotos8132]

hello! thanks for the kind feedback. I do not have Filmpack as well. Not sure if you noticed but the ink dropper comes with control line masking. Hope that helps.

[@user-bd6bx6py7d]

Thank you for the quick reply. Got it!

[@Eigil_Skovgaard]

At 4:46 the shadow side of the dome has been masked. Is it possible to feather - create a different fall-off - towards the lit up part of the dome without reducing the overall density of the mask? If not, could I add to or subtract from the mask to achieve this by using the masking brush?

[@takebetterphotos8132]

Perhaps if you want to control fall off for the dome you could use the brush or control point instead as the control line works on the entire width of the image, Unfortunately you cannot add to the mask (control line) with the masking brush, only the control point, so if you start with the control line you cannot adjust the characteristics of just the dome.

[@chepo1956]

I have Photolab 6. Do you think it's worth upgrading because of these new masking features? How would you compare them to Lightroom Classic which also have the local masking feature? I would like to have your opinion on this.

[@takebetterphotos8132]

Hi. With regards to if it's worth upgrading, it depends if you disliked the equalizer/local adjustment widget in photolab 6. I didn't find it a problem personally so I will answer no, it is not worth an upgrade from 6. Masking of Lightroom classic is better because of their advanced AI masking and better brush. Most people choose DXO over Lightroom for other reasons like ...it is cheaper than a creative cloud subscription, they might think DXO produces better image quality, noise reduction etc... Hope this helps. 🙂

[@chepo1956]

@@takebetterphotos8132 I have Lightroom Classic and Photoshop, and the monthly fee is quite reasonable. ($9.99) I use luminosity masking techniques with a Photoshop plugin and it gives me good results. I agree that Lightroom has improved a great deal with the incorporation of A.I. I think I will hold on to Photolab 6 for now, until they decide to give a discount on a black Friday event. Thanks for you great info.

[@takebetterphotos8132]

Well if you have lightroom, photoshop and photolab 6 I think you are very well covered! Most people would go with Adobe if not for the price. Anyway happy to answer your question🙂

[@ampmmbe1590]

Superb!! Unfortunately my computer is old and does not support photolab 7😮

[@takebetterphotos8132]

Yes. All these AI editing require a fast graphics card. All my old computers have become useless with these new updates!