I've intended all along to make the settings "sticky" for the three panels. That means, they'll remember the last settings used.

As .SWF panels, the last settings used during the session are remembered until you close the panel(s) or you exit Photoshop. I intend to add the functionality to remember the last settings when you load the panel(s) again or the next time Photoshop starts (if the panels are docked).

That will make it easy to keep commonly used settings conveniently ready for a simple click of the Sharpen button.

For example, I use Inkjet 240ppi Matte for output sharpening most of the time. Well, if that's my last selection, Photoshop will remember it. Until I select something else, I can just click the Sharpen button and get the desired output sharpening.

Thanks Mitch. Have some fun on the bayou! I really appreciate what you're doing.

Hal

I don't have time to get it online tonight, and I can't get to the server while I'm away in New Orleans. (It's firewalled.)

I did test "sticky settings" with the creative sharpening panel today and it worked great. For example, if I last used Clarity, that's what will be there the next time the panel loads.

So, when I get the release done on Sunday or Monday, look forward to "sticky" settings.

Good job, Mitch, and thank you! They look sharp, no, not a pun! Regards/Roy.

I'm glad that people appreciate these. I can crank them out pretty quickly. :)

Many of the TLR action sets will sport spiffy new CS4 panels.

Some obvious examples include the TLR Digital Velvia, TLR Film Effects, TLR B&W Conversion, etc.

In fact, I might pull several together, like the Photoshop Adjustments and Masks panels. There are a number of TLR action sets for tonal adjustments, for color correction, etc. A few panels could tie together a lot of functionality!

How about a noise reduction panel that would create a new layer, add a surface mask, and then invoke your choice from popular noise reduction tools: Nik Dfine, Neat Image, Noise Ninja, Noiseware, Topaz, etc.?

Is there a way that the 3 sharpening panels could come up stacked without calling each one and sliding them into place?

The noise reduction idea sounds good to me.

Thanks Mitch, Hal

I'll look into it, Hal.

You should only have to stack them once. As long as you do not add any new panels, everything should stay docked. Even if you close Photoshop and start it again, the panels should stay put if they are docked.

For some reason, if you add any panels, then docked panels close the next tie you start Photoshop.

I like the idea of Popular noise reduction tools. Roy.

I believe the answer is, "Yes," Hal.

There appear to be a couple of options. I can treat the three panels as subapplications or as modules. I can also use the SWFLoader. I'm new to Action Script, Flex, etc. So, I still have to read up on this. But it looks possible for the actual release to bundle them together in a single panel without having to reprogram everything. :)

Action Script 3 definitely is a full-featured scripting language, and the Adobe Flex development environment is excellent.

OK, Hal. I tested the use of the SWFLoader tonight. I'll be able to load all three panels togeher in the same panel.

You'll still have the files for the three panels. Plus one more .SWF file, which I'll probably call Sharpening.

I have to do a bit of redesigning. I need to make everything fit horizontally, including the new tabbed container. I'm too tired for that tonight. But, at least I'm confident it will work.

I'll get the feature there in the final version. :)

Thanks for th suggestion.

Thanks Mitch for a great application improvement. Keep up the excellent work.

Rod Mackenzie

I got the "sticky" settiongs to work easily enough with the capture and creative sharpeners.

I'm still fussing with the output sharpener. Been at it for hours.

As soon as I get the "sticky" settings to work with both, this first set of panels will be done.

I incorporated all of the suggestions I received. The new sharpening panels should be online later today or tonight. I need to work up some basic documentation.

There are four panels: Capture, Creative, Output, and Sharpening. For most users, all you will need is the Sharpening panel. It combines the other three with a tabbed navigation strip at the top. That makes it easier to load all three panels AND it will consume fewer resources than loading three separate panels.

The separate panels are intended for users who only use one or two of the sharpening action collections, such as using the Creative and Output sharpeners but performing capture sharpening with Lightroom or Adobe Camera Raw.

The panels, actions, and basic documentation will all be free downloads.

I will also be releasing a version with a brief manual and videos that describe sharpening basics, how to use these panels for excellent sharpening results, and how to customize the underlying Photoshop actions. I expect that will be an electronic download for something like $14.95.

Ric Grupe

I see you're doing your best to make editing easier for me, Mitch.

This is an extremely interesting approach. I have not seen this talked about before now. Good goin'! :-)

John Nack was the inspiration for the panels. More accurately, his blog brought the possibility to my attention.

He's posted a few comments about support for .SWF panels in CS4. I was intrigued by the idea and went to Adobe Labs to find out more.

This new interface for the TLR sharpening actions gives you even more ease of use than PhotoKit Sharpener. These new panels dock in Photoshop. You don't have to go over to the File|Automation menu item to run them. They're right there, ready whenever you want them. PhotoKit Sharpener will run a little faster, since they are compiled and the panels are driven by Photoshop actions under the hood. On the other hand, you can "fine tune" the actions and customize them, something not possible with PhotoKit Sharpener.