Adjustments docker

To apply an adjustment
To change the area to which an adjustment is applied
To create a mask from an applied adjustment
To apply a local adjustment
To choose which adjustments to show by default in the Adjustments docker

The Adjustments docker lets you apply a single color adjustment or several adjustments as you view your changes in the image window. The adjustments are non-destructive so you can experiment to get the desired results by showing or hiding them.

The Histogram, White Balance, and Light adjustments are shown by default in the Adjustments docker, but you can add more adjustments at any time. You can also remove adjustments.

The Adjustments docker lets you access commonly used adjustments.

The Adjustments docker features a histogram that you can use to evaluate and adjust the color and tone. For example, a histogram can help you detect hidden detail in a photo that is too dark because of underexposure (a photo taken with insufficient light). For information about using the histogram, see Histograms.

If you don’t like the results of an adjustment, you can restore its default settings. If you are satisfied with an adjustment, you can remember its settings so that you can apply it to another image. While you work in the Adjustments docker, you have access to all mask tools and other editing tools so that you can fine-tune the areas you want to adjust. For example, you can change the area to which an adjustment is applied by creating a mask and applying the adjustment to the newly defined editable area. In addition, you can create a mask from the areas affected by an adjustment so that you can re-use it when applying other adjustments.

The Options button to the right of an adjustment’s name gives you access to additional features.

To apply adjustments only to specific areas in an image, you can use the local adjustment mode, which activates the Brush Mask tool and allows you to paint over problematic areas. Other mask tools can also be used in local adjustment mode.

An image with the Light adjustment applied only to a specific area (right)

If you often use the same adjustments and you want to have them handy for each image you work with, you can choose to show them by default in the Adjustments docker.

To apply an adjustment

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1 Do one of the following:
• Select the background — to apply an adjustment to the background layer
• Define an editable area — to apply an adjustment to an image area
• Select an object — to apply an adjustment to an object
2 In the Adjustments docker, click the Add adjustment button , and choose an adjustment.
If the Adjustments docker is not open, click Window Dockers Adjustments.
3 Choose the adjustment settings you want.

 

You can also
 
Show and hide an adjustment
Enable or disable the check box, located to the right of the adjustment’s name.
Reset the adjustment to its default values
Click the Reset button , located to the right of the adjustment name.
Remember adjustment settings for later use
Click the Options button , and click Remember Settings.
Remove an adjustment from the Adjustments docker
Click the Options button, and click Remove.

To change the area to which an adjustment is applied

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1 Using a mask tool, define an editable area to which you want to apply the adjustment.
2 In the Adjustments docker, in the adjustment area, click the Options button , and click Apply to Mask.

(left) The Replace Colors adjustment was applied to the image. (right) The adjustment was confined to a rectangular editable area.

To create a mask from an applied adjustment

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1 In the Adjustments docker, click the adjustment from which you want to create a mask.
2 Click the Options button , and click Create Mask from Adjustment.

(left) The Replace Colors adjustment was applied to the image. (right) A mask was created from the areas to which the adjustment was applied.

To apply a local adjustment

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1 In the Adjustments docker, go to the adjustment that you want to apply to a specific area of the image.
2 Click the Options button, and click Local Adjustment Mode.
The Brush Mask tool becomes active.
3 Choose the adjustment settings you want.
4 Paint over the areas that you want to adjust.
To apply the adjustment in several strokes, click the Additive button on the property bar after the first stroke.
5 Fine-tune the adjustment settings if needed.
6 Ctrl-click the Show adjustment button to the right of the Options button to exit the local adjustment mode.

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You can also use other mask tools in local adjustment mode as well as commands from the Mask menu such as Mask from Object, Mask from Path, Invert Mask, Remove Mask, Mask Overlay, Mask Marquee, and Apply Smart Selection to Mask.

You can also exit the local adjustment mode by clicking any tool except for the Zoom tool, the Pan tool and all mask tools.

To choose which adjustments to show by default in the Adjustments docker

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1 In the Adjustments docker, click the Add adjustment button , and click Show by Default.
2 In the Options dialog box, enable the check boxes for the adjustments you want to show by default in the Adjustments docker and click OK.

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