Heath OFeeYesterday saw the official release of Perfect Layers from onOne Software. This is a pretty revolutionary plugin for Lightroom and Aperture that allows the use of layers within both of these programs. For those of you who don’t have Photoshop, prefer to do most of your work in Lightroom/Aperture, or just want a quick and easy way to add layers, you should definitely check out Perfect Layers. I haven’t used it a ton yet, but from my brief experience, it functions very well. Similar to Photoshop, multiple images can be stacked with different blend modes and opacities, and layer masks can be created to selectively mask two or more images together.
As an example of what is possible with Perfect Layers, I decided to try some manual exposure blending using two images at different exposure levels. Below are the two images I brought into Perfect Layers:
I stacked these two images with the overexposed shot on top, and set my blend mode to Normal. From there, I used a layer mask to selectively paint where I wanted the underexposed shot to show through. I varied the opacity of my brush through the frame to get the blend that I wanted. One of the great things about Perfect Layers is that it allows you to easily view your mask in different ways to see exactly where you’ve brushed in or out. Once I had the image where I wanted, I did a quick bit of styling in PhotoTools and I was done. Below is the final image:
I can see myself using Perfect Layers for quick exposure blending and layer masking. The ability to edit layers right in Lightroom is amazing, and I can’t wait to really put this plugin through its paces.
You can download a 30-day trial of Perfect Layers right now, or pick up the full version for the introductory price of $99.95 (a $30 savings). Give it a go…you won’t regret it.
Really cool write up here man, and perfectly processed! I love the sharp colors and contrast here heath. Hope you have a great weekend!
Thanx for the overview Heath. I have not had a chance to try it out but I do have it. Need more hours in the day. 🙂
Are you trying to break my bank? Yarghh! In the last three weeks I’ve been tempted by OnOne and Nik. I will not break! I will not break! 😉
Great review and awesome image – so beautiful with that stellar light hitting the mountain.
Heath, thanks for the sweet review of Perfect Layers. I REALLY love the way this blended image came out. It’s an incredible capture! Man I need to travel! 🙂
Great example and wonderful image Heath!
interesting review and great image produced, I do most of my layer work in PS never really got into LR although I have it, maybe I need to play more
Nice writeup! I have been way too busy to give it a run, but I dig the concept. Apparently it has delivered as promised. Great image as well. Thanks Heath!
I just need to buy this damn thing!!
wow, really nice composition, and, the perfect layers program really enhances the image. found you through matiash, lussier and beal…great stuff.
wow, really nice composition and the perfect layers program really enhances the image. found you through matiash, lussier and beal…great stuff.