FocalBlade lets users sharpen 8- and 16-bit images without increasing noise or artifacts, and works with a wide range of Photoshop-compatible imaging applications. The plugin provides a range of automatic, semi-automatic and manual sharpening tools, and includes a batch processing mode. FocalBlade sharpens image edges and surfaces independently, so users can keep objects soft while sharpening the overall photo. The plugin can also be used for creating blur, soft focus and glow effects, and is supplied with more than 80 presets. It supports one-, two- and three-pass workflows, as well as a range of output devices, and can batch process images with the use of actions or scripts.
While FocalBlade has been around for seven years, with version 2 for Windows being released earlier this year. Now available for Mac, the new version provides quite a few enhancements, notably the ability to render between 10 to 100 times faster. Sharpening has been improved and artifact creation further reduced through improved edge masking and halo reduction, with sharpening radiuses of up to 32 pixels now possible. Edge mask options have been improved and the ability has been added to protect three defined colors from being sharpened, with new color noise reduction and grain features also contributing to greater control over the results. A soft proof feature has been added for simulating the sharpness of prints on screen. Also new is full scripting and smart filtering support, as well as support for Lab and CMYK image modes.
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