DxO Photolab 7 - My new and improved workflow for local adjustments. Have you tried this?

The total redesign of local adjustments in Photolab 7 has opened the door for me to reconsider how I work with the local tools. In this video, I will share with you my new 'clean skin' approach to applying local adjustments. I am sure I won't be alone in this approach so let me know in the comments how you are making the most of our newest Photolab 7 improvements.
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#dxo #photolab #photolab7

[@juneabbey9538]

That is a really interesting approach. I look forward to trying it out for myself. Thank you!

[@dxflow3271]

Hey there. Actually I should redo this one. They have changed some of the behaviours since I did this video. Don't be alarmed if you try something and it doesn't work.

[@MedusaJellyFish300]

Thank you for sharing this approach and thank you for sharing your knowledge ❤❤❤

[@dxflow3271]

Glad it was helpful!

[@snafuval]

I have been a dxo user for a long time and in 6 always struggled with local adjustments as they were (i found 6 way to fiddly and couldnt grasp it at all), and have been using on1 for a while, checked out DXO 7 as I found a major problem with my fuji files and on1, after getting my head around local adjustments on on1 😞, downloaded the dxo 7 trial and did some comparisons, and am REALLY pleased with how quick in DXO 7 i can get an output I am pleased with, this demo of your approach to local adjustments, really works for me, the clean screen whilst adjusting gives a mutch better picture of how the adjustment is affecting the whole picture, and for me this new local adjustment pane works perfectly, and more importantly i seem to be working a bit faster than i was in on1. so many thanks and i have just purchased my upgrade to dxo 7 and film pack 7 as well. keep up the good work.

[@dxflow3271]

Nice! It really is a nice piece of software to use, isn't it?

[@herwarthaug]

Hi, I am using ON1 for my fujifilm files too, and now I am switching to PL7. What kind of problems did you face with your fuji files in ON1?

[@snafuval]

@herwarthaug there are some very strange artifacts in certain situations, difficult to describe, there in the raw file when opened, and if anything like ai noise removal or ai sharpening would multiply the effect, starting with the same raw file I never saw in dxo. I only noticed when I was doing some comparisons with different software, and couldn't put my finger on what was different about the output from on1, I then did comparison at 100% and saw the artefacts. I can't say specifically where it appeared but mainly in very busy areas, like foliage, and brickwork. Hope this helps.

[@herwarthaug]

thanks for answering. @@snafuval

[@juergenkammerer5720]

I really love your approach. It gives you the chance of doing a very clean edit. I‘ll adapt this to my own workflow. Thanks for the inspiration. 👍

[@dxflow3271]

Very welcome. Thanks for watching.

[@WilliamMBlaesing]

The clean edit approach is very appealing to me. Thanks for a clear explanation of the new local adjustments features.

[@dxflow3271]

Glad it was helpful!

[@rpigeon8]

Thumbs up to your son! Nice workflow gives a global view before starting adjustments. Thanks for sharing.

[@dxflow3271]

Thanks for watching! And I will pass along your thumbs up :)

[@user-vt3bn5ei8y]

Wow i think this will be my cup of tea from this day on ...love it

[@dxflow3271]

Perfect!

[@EdwardKilner]

Thank you for the slower delivery. Really helps follow your actions, especially if mouse movements are part of your action. Have only used 7 for one set of fall colour shots and I too think it’s an improvement. This video showed me I had been using Local Adjustments wrongly, for years. You used the line control repeatedly in small widths and labelled each band as you went. I never did this, but will. I have used Gradient more than line, and tend to use one selection top to bottom of the screen. If this horrifies you, well, that’s a topic for a video for you. In the past, some creators have analyzed a shot and identified areas to fix, giving reasons for each fix. I like that. I need that. If you just start to change something, I need to know why, and if you stop the adjustment, I need to know why. I’m a needy subscriber. Hope the above helps you, you are on the right track. By the way, the people I sent the fall colour shots to seemed to like them. That’s a pretty strong endorsement of DxO 7.

[@dxflow3271]

Thanks for taking to time to offer detailed feedback. I will try to consider that in future videos.

[@aldebaran6850]

That's an interesting approach. I'll try it out (for the moment, I still use the 'traditional' way). Thanks for sharing

[@dxflow3271]

Always nice to try out new things, huh? Thanks for watching.

[@andreaabout]

Thank you for showing the new adjustments. A really good way of working. I`m hoping to upgrade to version 7 very soon along with FilmPack 7 and the latest Nik. I use the software quite a lot, PL is my go to RAW editor. Thank you again.

[@dxflow3271]

Glad it was helpful!

[@gandolfred]

The lesson was very clear and useful. Thank you. Subscribed. ✔👍

[@dxflow3271]

Awesome, thank you!

[@stevehageman6785]

Thanks for the tips.

[@dxflow3271]

Very welcome

[@alangauld6079]

I'm still on PL6 but i do use the adjustments tab and label all my adjustments. I also use that list to select the individual adjustments, especially if several are grouped close together. I hadn't actually realized the new colour masks actually showed the selected area (I'm not sure what I thought they showed!) so that's gonna save a lot of show/hide mask clicks. (One thing I like about the CPs in Nik is that CMD-Clicking will bring up the mask, I wish PL did that). I still prefer the controls on the CP, however, especially when working on zoomed-in details like your tree. But it's an interesting alternative approach, and an informative video, thanks for sharing.

[@dxflow3271]

Very welcome. Thanks for watching.

[@mart872uk]

Mmmmm I have a new learning curve . Thank you .

[@dxflow3271]

I need to do a new video I think and take this one down. The was it works has changed in a recent update. Cheers.

[@philmakesnoise]

@@dxflow3271 Changed for the better you think?

[@dougmacmillan1712]

Good job! Your presentation technique and demeanor are pleasant and engaging. The technical content and explanation methods are very clear. I bought Silver Efex Pro many years ago and PL7 is a nice extension of the control point concept. Last year I bought DxO Raw 3 to use with my Fuji raw files and I think it's the best raw editor I've used, better than Adobe Camera Raw and the much touted Capture One. I'm a long time Photoshop/Lightroom user. I have the complete Adobe Suite. My wife is a college professor and we get the academic pricing. She will retire soon, meaning we'll transition to a fixed income and we'll lose the academic pricing. I'm looking for an alternative to Adobe and I'm seriously considering PL7. Your video nudges me in that direction.

[@dxflow3271]

Thanks for watching and thanks for the feedback. Yes, I am also at a Uni and get academic pricing for some things... it is a lovely little perk isn't it. Sorry to hear yours is going away.

[@eckhas2524]

Really useful 👍

[@dxflow3271]

Glad it was helpful.

[@musiqueetmontagne]

Thanks so much for your tutorials and info. I'm just learning DXO and Topaz on trials before i buy the software.

[@dxflow3271]

Hope you enjoy photolab. Thanks for watching.

[@gilleslast3561]

I own the two and I use DxO 99% of the time (nothing from Adobe for me). They are not comparable softwares, DxO offers so much for editing (exposition, local adjustments, colors and splendid noise reduction if you shoot in raw). Topaz Photo AI is for few wildlife or macro photos when I need to sharpen when it’s not sharp enough and to upscale when I crop a lot.

[@SergNikiforovGordeev]

Thank you very much!

[@dxflow3271]

No worries!

[@yre2007]

Thanks for this demonstration on the new adjustment features in PL7. One feature I was expecting is the HSL tool in local adjustment. Just disappointed that there is no eyedropper as found in the global adjustment HSL widget, for selecting more precisely a range of colors. Hopefully an enhancement for next release .

[@dxflow3271]

You can still do more precise but you need to move the points on the wheel manually in the local space. Thanks for watching.

[@Eigil_Skovgaard]

At least your style is good, and DxO is appreciated by many people, so I am sure a number of how to videos in this shape and form will be welcomed.

[@dxflow3271]

Thanks for watching.

[@Bassbarbie]

I'm really liking the look of PL7 and not having to hit Shift E so I can get a clear view when using local adjustments.I usually label them too. Putting the controls on the right is so much better. I love that M will now easily show the mask. Unfortunately PL7 won't run on my ageing Mac (PL6 is very slow), so I shall have to wait for a new computer before I can upgrade.

[@dxflow3271]

I have a pretty powerful computer just now... but I have been in your shoes trying to use an older machine.

[@ddsdss256]

I believe that "M" has always worked to show masks (for all DxO apps w/U Point, including Nik). You can easily toggle to refine the mask.

[@Bassbarbie]

@@ddsdss256 I suspect you are on Windows? It doesn't work on a Mac. I've just double checked as I've now moved towards Capture One and M definitely works for that. I shall be back to PL once I get my computer upgraded.

[@ddsdss256]

​@@Bassbarbie Yep--Windows. It's too bad that all OSs aren't consistent in their functionality with the same software (sometimes problematic with demos as well).

[@Bassbarbie]

@@ddsdss256 Indeed. I think we all win and lose sometimes - hey ho! Enjoy PL 🙂I will be back eventually.

[@PrimeToolbox]

I like the way the local adjustment settings were displayed near the control point. Is there any way to set it like it was before the photolab 7?

[@dxflow3271]

Sorry for being a bit slow to respond. It has been a crazy 4 weeks. No there is currently no wat to regress the controls that I am aware of... I think they would not be able to include the HSL tool in the old interface. I hope in the past weeks since this message that you are getting used to the new approach.

[@bobkoure]

Trivia: I like the color you picked for showing LA selections, seems easier to disambiguate from photo colors than the default blue. Unless that purple is the default if you also have FP installed (I don't)...?

[@dxflow3271]

I feel like it was the default for me... But you can change it if needed...

[@wellingtoncrescent2480]

Nice illustration of the U-tools, which I've enjoyed since PL5. In earlier iterations, the fact that the control sliders obscured the image could be really annoying as you point out, and I can imagine coming to enjoy the unobstructed view in the new local adjustments panel. But other than decluttering the display, does it add any other functionality to the U-tools?

[@dxflow3271]

Not that I am aware of... I mean a change to the adjustments yes, with the more accurate approach and the addition of the HSL in locals. But the actual tech for the U-point - I don't think so. I was actually crossing my fingers the diffusion slider would make its way out of the Nik collection - but doesn't appear to have done. Maybe next time :)

[@Bassbarbie]

You probably know, but I will mention, Shift and E will remove the display of the sliders, and again to bring them back. This functionality in PL7 does look a lot better.

[@wellingtoncrescent2480]

@@Bassbarbie Thanks for pointing that out; it's a useful command, especially when working on a smaller screen.

[@dxflow3271]

@@Bassbarbie Yes. I think I was aware of that but never got in the habit of using it much because - if I am thinking about the same thing - then I would need to turn them off... look at the image and then turn them back on again to make more changes. It might not have been a faff in reality if I got used to it... but it felt like it would be one. :)

[@Bassbarbie]

I only really found it useful when the bit I wanted to get to was underneath the controls. Otherwise it was easier just to move my cursor off the image and then you can see the image uncluttered with the effects @@dxflow3271

[@stefanmarch]

I'd be interested in seeing a detailed edit using this approach. Do you still do global edits before using local adjustments or is your approach just to use local adjustments? Also I'm a little confused when using the control line is it possible to use a negative control point or the eraser, I can't see how to do this. up to now I mainly use control points with negative control points.

[@dxflow3271]

Yes... I think I demonstrated the negative control line in the video... But basically just the same as the control points... Hold alt while you draw it out... And it will subtract what you cover. Hope that helps.

[@HotGates]

Nice tut but when I'm done with local adjustments and go to the light tool my local adjustments still show on screen and I can't get the hand tool, What's the trick to this? thanks.

[@dxflow3271]

Sorry for taking a while - I was away for the holidays. You will need to turn the tool off... that is not just coming away from the Local Adjustments area... but if you have the control point (or any other tool active) you have to deselect the tool. If it is active it will be blue - if you click it again it should go back to regular colour. If you are on Mac let me know... I can't 100% remember but I think there might be a slight difference on Mac. Once the tool is deselected you should be good to go.

[@HotGates]

@@dxflow3271 Ok thanks I'll try this but if I turn the tool off then my adjustments that I made won't show.

[@HotGates]

@@dxflow3271 Ok figured it out thanks for the info;)

[@HotGates]

@@dxflow3271 One quick question how do I get the hand tool back again because after doing what you said my pointer is still the control point? thanks;)

[@dxflow3271]

@@HotGates windows or Mac?

[@MikeCollins-oe7ze]

Thanks for sharing this information. I am in a PL7 trial and trying your approach. At 5:53 you say to deslect any tool and this will hid the icons on the image. I am unable to deselect a tool by following your instructions. I can pick a different tool, but there isn't a way I can stay in the Local Adjustment panels and get them all to not be selected. Any idea what is going on? I'm on a Mac if that matters.

[@dxflow3271]

Well I just installed it on my mac to have a look. It turns out that the interface is a little different on a mac. But the good news is you can still do this technique. If I choose a control point for example and drop on on the image, there is an options bar that appears below the image. If I want to deselect the tools, I need to click 'close' on that options bar. Then, from there the technique would be more or less the same. For whatever reason, there have always been some slight differences in how things are done on the two platforms. Hope that helps and thanks for watching.