Review 1 of 1
Price Paid:
$50.00
from Adobe online store Summary:
The Andromeda VariFocus Filter (Andromeda Software, Inc.) is very versatile Adobe PhotoShop® plugin that allows the user to create complex blur effects on an image to realistically recreate the depth of field (dof) of various optical camera lens apertures. It can also be used to add multiple blur styles to photos in ways that would be extrememly hard to create in the camera.
First some background: in a standard camera/lens setup, the dof or zone of focus captured in an image is in indirect proportion to the size of the lens opening. Smaller camera apertures (closed down) will produce a greater dof; larger apertures (wide open) will produce a narrower dof.
Also, in a typical photograph, the level of focus decreases proportionally in both directions away from the subject that is focused on. In other words, visual elements in the photo will become progressively less in focus as you move from the subject TOWARDS the camera as well as from the subject AWAY from the camera.
Control of this dof is often a key to the success of an image, as being able to throw areas of your photo completely or partially out of focus (such as foreground or background) allows you to isolate your main subject or at least lessen the distraction of other areas of the photo.
Photoshop already has a nice assortment of sharpening and blur filters to work with. Combine that with the many ways of selecting and masking an image, and an exerienced PS user can readily control the areas of the picture that are in or out of focus, as well as the degree to which they are sharp or blurred.
Unfortunately, this is often a very labor intensive process. In PS, complex variable sharpness of an image to simulate narrow dof is only done by "layering" the blur filter (often using feathered selections). Each use of a blur filter is flat (only one level of sharpness), so the PS user has to build up layers of blur around the main subject.
Not only is this time consuming, but you usually won't be able to see the final result until you've completed all the steps. Backtracking can be tricky at best, especially when a step that needs to be changed may be somewhere in the middle of the whole process. As anyone who has tried this technique knows, it's very trial and error...
This is where the VariFocus filter comes in. Strengths:
As the name implies, this filter creates the variable focus (blur) that is crucial to accurate dof simulation in a single, easy step.
In its logical, easy to use filter interface, VariFocus gives all the tools needed to create an almost infinite variety of blur (as well as sharpening) effects. Best of all, like most PS filters, a preview is provided that lets you instantly see the results of the filter's settings on your image. You can play with the various filter settings, then click ok only when you are completely satisfied with the way the image looks.
One simple undo (Option/Ctrl Z) or backtrack in the history palette returns the image to its original state.
The PS user has a tremendous amount of control over the settings of the VariFocus filter. You can simply choose from a palette of preset "focus masks" (simliar to the PS gradient tool patterns), or you can work in the image preview window and set custom attributes for a single mask of your own creation.
There are additional buttons to flip and/or rotate the blur or sharpen masks along both the vertical and horizontal axis, as well as a reverse mask feature. Like many other PS filters, you have the ability t Weaknesses:
In the short time I've been using this plugin, I haven't been able to find any weaknesses. To me, it's basically foolproof, and, as mentioned above, it's very easy to undo any of the filter's effects. Similar Products Used:
Only the sharpen and blur filters already available in Photoshop 7.0 Customer Service:
Have never used, but Andromeda has a good reputation for supportng their products.
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