User manual MINOLTA DIMAGE VIEWER 2.1

[. . . ] E INSTRUCTION MANUAL 9222-7300-11 MM-A302 2 BEFORE YOU BEGIN Before installing the DiMAGE Viewer software, read the data-transfer section in the camera manual. This section details how to connect the camera to a computer using the supplied USB cable. The examples in this manual assume the camera is connected to the computer with a USB cable as described in the camera manual. This instruction manual does not provide instruction in the basic operation of personal computers, or the basic operation of Windows or Macintosh operating systems; refer to the manuals supplied with the computer. [. . . ] · With extreme freehand curves, the smooth curve button may significantly change the shape of the curve. Press the undo button to return to the original freehand curve. 2 47 ADVANCED IMAGE PROCESSING A short guide to tone-curve corrections Highlights The tone curve is a graphic representation of the brightness and color levels of the image. The bottom axis is the 256 levels of the original image (input data) from black to white. The vertical axis is the corrected image (output data) with the same scale from top to bottom. The bottom left portion of the graph represents the dark colors and shadow areas of the image. Changing the tone curve can affect the brightness, contrast, and color of the image. Output Mid-tones Shadows Input This is a simple technique to make a subject hidden in the shadows brighter. Unlike the brightness level control (page 36), this method of correction will not lose details in the highlight areas of the image. With the RGB channel selected, place the smooth-curve cursor on the center of the curve. The adjustment can be very small and still have a significant impact on the image. Moving the tone curve down will make the image darker. 48 The contrast of an image can be changed. The light blue 45° line on the tone-curve graph represents the original contrast of the image. Making the angle of the tone curve greater than 45° will increase the contrast of the image. With the RGB channel selected, click on the tone curve near the top and bottom to add two nodes. This will increase the angle of the central portion of the tone curve and increase the contrast of the image without making an overall change in image brightness. By selecting individual color channels on the tone curve, adjustments to the overall color of an image can be made. This can be used to eliminate unnatural color casts or add warmth to a picture. If the image is too red, green, or blue, simply drag the corresponding color-channel curve down until the color appears natural. If the color cast is predominantly one of the secondary colors, cyan, magenta, or yellow, move the curve of the complementary color up. For more on color, see page 38. 49 ADVANCED IMAGE PROCESSING White, black, and gray-point corrections Advanced image corrections can be made by specifying a white, black, and gray point within the image. Locating an appropriate neutral area within the image is critical to correctly calibrate the software. When the dropper tool is selected, the RGB display is active and can be used to evaluate the image area. All changes are immediately reflected in the displayed image. Click the white-point button. [. . . ] Many of the colors that can be generated cannot be reproduced on standard computer monitors or by printing technology. NTSC ­ the current television broadcasting standard used in Japan. Click the load button and use the open window to open the profile; the profile name will appear in the color-preferences window. Click the OK button to set the color space and close the color-preferences window. 79 ADVANCED SETUP Using device ICC profiles Specific monitor and printer ICC profiles can be used with the DiMAGE Viewer. [. . . ]