ReadMe for the ColorPerfect Photoshop Plug-in, Version 2.25 11/10/2017

This package is for computers running Microsoft Windows (most often PCs).

For MacOS we have separate downloads.

We strongly recommend that new users read through all of this ReadMe file skipping only headlined sections that are not of interest to them. Those of you who really hate to read instructions, skip to the installation instructions for your host application, use the Help system in ColorPerfect as needed ( also available here) and visit us on YouTube.

TABLE OF CONTENTS FOR THIS README:

01 WHAT IS COLORPERFECT, WHERE TO PURCHASE IT AND CHECK FOR UPGRADES?

02 INSTALLATION: INSTRUCTIONS FOR ADOBE PHOTOSHOP 7.0 AND LATER

03 INSTALLATION: INSTRUCTIONS FOR PHOTOLINE 16 AND LATER

04 INSTALLATION: INSTRUCTIONS FOR ADOBE PHOTOSHOP ELEMENTS 2 AND LATER

05 RECOMMENDED WEB PAGES AND VIDEOS TO GET STARTED WITH COLORPERFECT

06 GETTING STARTED WITH COLORPERFECT USING THIS README

07 TROUBLESHOOTING: THE COLORPERFECT PLUG-IN CANNOT BE RESIZED

08 TROUBLESHOOTING: ENTERING COLORPERFECT LICENSE KEY AFTER PURCHASE

09 LEGAL NOTICE

01 WHAT IS COLORPERFECT, WHERE TO PURCHASE IT AND CHECK FOR UPGRADES?

ColorPerfect is an Adobe Photoshop, PhotoLine and Adobe Photoshop Elements plug-in that is designed to produce and preserve the natural look of good color images. It features our PerfectRAW System to edit digital camera RAW images in a superior and unprecedented way, converts scanned color and B&W negative film images into digital positives in its ColorNeg mode and deals with scanned positives in its plain ColorPos mode as well.

In ColorPerfect version 2.22 PerfectRAW recognizes calibrations for over 627 designations of digital cameras covering the whole market range from professional models down to CHDK hacked compacts for which PerfectRAW is the first commercial RAW converter ever to actually provide full model support.

For color negatives, version 2.22 has built-in calibration data for over 310 types of color negative film from Kodak, Fuji, Agfa, AgfaColor, Konica, China Lucky, Rollei and Ferrania. Problem negatives and positives as well as negatives of unknown type usually can be satisfactorily calibrated using our unique FilmType control.

We distribute ColorPerfect as a fully functional demo version on our web sites (www.colorperfect.com and www.c-f-systems.com/Plug-ins.html). The MakeTiff utility, which is required for dealing with digital camera RAW photos using PerfectRAW, can be downloaded from the same places.

The demo version of ColorPerfect embeds an unobtrusive gridwork in all images it produces to allow evaluating results. To unlock the demo version and eliminate the gridwork a license key may be purchased through either web site. The SAME license key can be used on up to three computers owned by the same person or company and will unlock the Mac versions not only of ColorPerfect, but the older separate ColorNeg, ColorPos and Gamsat plug-ins as well.

PC Keys work only on PCs - a separately purchased Mac Key is required for Macs.

02 INSTALLATION: INSTRUCTIONS FOR ADOBE PHOTOSHOP 7.0 AND LATER

This details how to put the correct 32- and/or 64 bit plug-in in the correct Adobe Photoshop Plug-ins\Filters folder.

First determine if your version of Windows is 32 bit or 64 bit. Open Windows Explorer to your C: drive. If you have just the one "Program Files" folder on C:, Windows is a 32 bit version. If you also have a "Program Files (x86)" folder, your copy of Windows is a 64 bit version. Keep this Windows Explorer window open as you follow the instructions below for your version of Windows.

"Program Files" and "Program Files (X86)" are the default installation folders for Adobe Photoshop. If you have chosen to install Adobe Photoshop in different folders, please substitute those in the following.

INSTALLATION OF COLORPERFECT ON A 32 BIT VERSION OF WINDOWS

Expand the ColorPerfect2.25.zip file into a folder on your desktop or elsewhere and open the folder in a new Windows Explorer window. Locate the file ColorPerfect.8bf. Now return to the Explorer window showing C: and double-click Program Files to open it. In Program Files locate the folder Adobe and double-click that. Inside locate the folder for your version of Adobe Photoshop and double-click that to open it. Inside, locate the Plug-ins folder and double-click that to open it. If there is a Filters folder inside that, double-click Filters to open it (but don't worry if there isn't a Filters folder). Now drag the ColorPerfect.8bf from the other Explorer window and drop it in the folder you have just opened. Confirm any security dialogs that might open. Adobe Photoshop will automatically configure for ColorPerfect the next time it is started. You are ready to use and test ColorPerfect after this step. If you are updating ColorPerfect it is very important to remove or delete (don't just rename) any older versions of ColorPerfect before installing the new one as having both present has been known to cause puzzling problems.

INSTALLATION OF COLORPERFECT ON A 64 BIT VERSION OF WINDOWS

Your system may have either or both of the 32- and 64-bit versions of Adobe Photoshop installed and the following instructions will attempt to install ColorPerfect for both. You may find only a 32 bit version of Adobe Photoshop installed in Program Files (x86) or only a 64 bit version of it installed in Program Files and if so this is normal for your system and it requires only the corresponding ColorPerfect to be installed.

Expand the ColorPerfect2.25.zip file into a folder on your desktop or elsewhere and open the folder in a new Windows Explorer window. Locate the file ColorPerfect.8bf which is the 32 bit version of ColorPerfect. Now return to the Explorer window showing C: and double-click Program Files (x86) to open it. In Program Files (x86) locate the folder Adobe and double-click that. Inside locate the folder for your version of Adobe Photoshop and double-click that to open it. Inside, locate the Plug-ins folder and double-click that to open it. If there is a Filters folder inside that, double-click Filters to open it (but don't worry if there isn't a Filters folder). Now drag the ColorPerfect.8bf from the other Explorer window and drop it in the folder you have just opened. Confirm any security dialogs that might open.

This second step details how to install the 64 bit version of ColorPerfect for Adobe Photoshop CS4 and later. Skip it for older versions of Adobe Photoshop. Navigate the Explorer window so it is showing C: again and double-click Program Files to open it. In Program Files also locate the folder Adobe and double-click that. Inside locate the folder for your version of Adobe Photoshop and double-click that to open it. Inside, locate the Plug-ins folder and double-click that to open it. If there is a Filters folder inside that, double-click Filters to open it (but don't worry if there isn't a Filters folder). Now drag the ColorPerfect64.8bf from the other Explorer window and drop it in the folder you have just opened. Confirm any security dialogs that might open.

Adobe Photoshop will automatically configure for ColorPerfect the next time it is started. You are ready to use and test ColorPerfect after this step. If you are updating ColorPerfect it is very important to remove or delete (don't just rename) any older versions of ColorPerfect before installing the new one as having both present has been known to cause puzzling problems.

03 INSTALLATION: INSTRUCTIONS FOR PHOTOLINE 16 AND LATER

This details how to install both the 32 and 64 bit plug-in with PhotoLine's "Manage Plug-ins" feature as PhotoLine's 32 and 64 bit version share the same settings and folders. The actual PhotoLine program folder is always located under Program Files. In case of a 64 bit version of Windows it contains both the 32 and the 64 bit version.

Expand the ColorPerfect2.25.zip file into a folder on your desktop or elsewhere. Locate the two files ColorPerfect.8bf and ColorPerfect64.8bf. The two plug-ins will need to be copied into one of PhotoLine's Plug-ins folders. It is best to open another Explorer window to locate the desired folder and to place the plug-ins by drag and drop. The Plug-ins folder is any folder of your own choosing which you have already declared and activated or will declare and activate using the "Manage Plug-ins" entry in PhotoLine's Filter menu. If you are updating ColorPerfect it is very important to remove or delete (don't just rename) any older versions of ColorPerfect from all Plug-ins folders before installing the new one as having both present has been known to cause puzzling problems. PhotoLine 17.10 was the final version for the Power PC platform.

04 INSTALLATION: INSTRUCTIONS FOR ADOBE PHOTOSHOP ELEMENTS 2 AND LATER

This details how to put the correct 32- and/or 64 bit plug-in in the correct Adobe Photoshop Elements Plug-ins\Filters folder.

First determine if your version of Windows is 32 bit or 64 bit. Open Windows Explorer to your C: drive. If you have just the one "Program Files" folder on C:, Windows is a 32 bit version. If you also have a "Program Files (x86)" folder, your copy of Windows is a 64 bit version. Keep this Windows Explorer window open as you follow the instructions below for your version of Windows.

"Program Files" and "Program Files (X86)" are the default installation folders for Adobe Photoshop Elements. If you have chosen to install Adobe Photoshop Elements in different folders, please substitute those in the following.

INSTALLATION OF COLORPERFECT ON A 32 BIT VERSION OF WINDOWS

Expand the ColorPerfect2.25.zip file into a folder on your desktop or elsewhere and open the folder in a new Windows Explorer window. Locate the file ColorPerfect.8bf. Now return to the Explorer window showing C: and double-click Program Files to open it. In Program Files locate the folder Adobe and double-click that. Inside locate the folder for your version of Adobe Photoshop Elements and double-click that to open it. Inside, locate the Plug-ins folder and double-click that to open it. If there is a Filters folder inside that, double-click Filters to open it (but don't worry if there isn't a Filters folder). Now drag the ColorPerfect.8bf from the other Explorer window and drop it in the folder you have just opened. Confirm any security dialogs that might open. Adobe Photoshop Elements will automatically configure for ColorPerfect the next time it is started. You are ready to use and test ColorPerfect after this step. If you are updating ColorPerfect it is very important to remove or delete (don't just rename) any older versions of ColorPerfect before installing the new one as having both present has been known to cause puzzling problems.

INSTALLATION OF COLORPERFECT ON A 64 BIT VERSION OF WINDOWS

Your system may have either or both of the 32- and 64-bit versions of Adobe Photoshop Elements installed and the following instructions will attempt to install ColorPerfect for both. You may find only a 32 bit version of Adobe Photoshop Elements installed in Program Files (x86) or only a 64 bit version of it installed in Program Files and if so this is normal for your system and it requires only the corresponding ColorPerfect to be installed.

Expand the ColorPerfect2.25.zip file into a folder on your desktop or elsewhere and open the folder in a new Windows Explorer window. Locate the file ColorPerfect.8bf which is the 32 bit version of ColorPerfect. Now return to the Explorer window showing C: and double-click Program Files (x86) to open it. In Program Files (x86) locate the folder Adobe and double-click that. Inside locate the folder for your version of Adobe Photoshop Elements and double-click that to open it. Inside, locate the Plug-ins folder and double-click that to open it. If there is a Filters folder inside that, double-click Filters to open it (but don't worry if there isn't a Filters folder). Now drag the ColorPerfect.8bf from the other Explorer window and drop it in the folder you have just opened. Confirm any security dialogs that might open.

This second step details how to install the 64 bit version of ColorPerfect for Adobe Photoshop Elements 13 and later. Skip it for older versions of Adobe Photoshop Elements. Navigate the Explorer window so it is showing C: again and double-click Program Files to open it. In Program Files also locate the folder Adobe and double-click that. Inside locate the folder for your version of Adobe Photoshop Elements and double-click that to open it. Inside, locate the Plug-ins folder and double-click that to open it. If there is a Filters folder inside that, double-click Filters to open it (but don't worry if there isn't a Filters folder). Now drag the ColorPerfect64.8bf from the other Explorer window and drop it in the folder you have just opened. Confirm any security dialogs that might open.

Adobe Photoshop Elements will automatically configure for ColorPerfect the next time it is started. You are ready to use and test ColorPerfect after this step. If you are updating ColorPerfect it is very important to remove or delete (don't just rename) any older versions of ColorPerfect before installing the new one as having both present has been known to cause puzzling problems.

05 RECOMMENDED WEB PAGES AND VIDEOS TO GET STARTED WITH COLORPERFECT

New users please do view our feature overview video. Note that albeit it starts out using PerfectRAW all artistic adjustments shown in that mode are available in ColorNeg mode as well.

Users working with film visit our scanning tutorial section afterwards.

Users working with Black and White film please view our specialized video on monochrome work.

Users working with digital cameras should familiarize themselves with MakeTiff.

06 GETTING STARTED WITH COLORPERFECT USING THIS README

ColorPerfect requires that images be in RGB mode or Monochrome (B&W) mode. ColorPerfect produces its best results when you scan files as 16 bits/channel or use MakeTiff and PerfectRAW for digital camera RAW images but also will work with standard 8 bit/channel images and scans.

Call the plug-in from the Adobe Photoshop, PhotoLine or Adobe Photoshop Elements Filter menu: Filter->C F Systems->ColorPerfect. The C F Systems entry should be near the bottom of the Filter menu. ColorPerfect has three modes that can be selected from a Pop-Up on the Start panel: ColorNeg for treating scans of color and BB&WW negatives, ColorPos for treating positive images from scanners or digital cameras, and Touch Up for dealing with positive images that have already been calibrated. ColorPos also contains the special PerfectRAW mode for editing digital camera RAW images. PerfectRAW requires that you convert the camera RAW files to very special TIFF files using the free MakeTiff application.

Note: ColorNeg Mode will produce the best results you are likely to get from a "standard" scan of a color negative if you scan it in the same way you scan a slide (color positive) - so the result looks like the color negative. However, the results from ColorNeg mode will be best, with very noticeable improvements in detail and color, when using a linear 16 bit/channel scan, and for 16 bit/channel images ColorNeg Mode is set up to expect linear images by default. We provide tutorials on how to scan with many scanners and their software . If you are producing 16 bit/channel images but cannot do a linear scan or do not know what that means, try pressing the "L" button next to ColorNeg to see if the results are better. Also, ColorNeg needs you to use the pop-ups at the bottom of the dialog to select a film manufacturer and a film type that most nearly matches that of the scanned negative. Monochrome (B&W) negatives cannot be calibrated according to manufacturer and film type, so the manufacturer pop-up is not available for monochrome.

Learn more about the "L/G" linear/gamma button or any other topic by pressing the Help button and then activating the button or control which you want to learn about.

ColorPerfect works differently than other color systems. Select the Black number box, located near the top of the slider, and use the slider to control the lightness/darkness of the image. This control adds and removes black and so has its greatest effect on the brighter areas of the image. (Just as when you add black paint to white paint the change will be greater than when adding black paint to dark gray paint). White, just below Black, also controls image lightness/darkness but does so by adding or removing white and so it shows greatest in the darker areas of the image. By using the White button you can toggle to Graded White which is a sibling function with a different distribution of the White effect. These two adjustments give an amazing amount of control over the image without damaging its color. It should be noted that the white adjustment so important and so easily done here ranges from difficult to impossible to do in Adobe Photoshop proper or with most color adjustment systems. Located at the top of the dialog, the Highlights control works in conjunction with Black to control highlight brightness and detail and the Shadows control works in conjunction with White to control shadow depth and detail. The way Black and White work in ColorPerfect might be more obvious to artists and is explained in this document. Ignore the next control, BPTails, until you are more familiar with the system, but Saturation can be used to control the depth of color while maintaining an amazingly natural appearance. The Gamma control is similar to the "middle gray" slider in Photoshop's Levels control, but unlike "middle gray", this Gamma adjustment affects only the tonal scale - photographic contrast - while leaving the colors unchanged. When working with Monochrome images (B&W) this Gamma control is also used to adjust the tonal range of the image.

Color balance can be set by clicking areas in the image that should be gray or by using the Ring Around or by using the AutoColor control. Use Help to understand how to use these features. Color balance is expressed in terms of the CC (Color Compensation) filters that are familiar to many experienced photographers. For a start, find a patch in the preview image that should be gray (colorless) and click on it. "Gray" can be anywhere from quite dark to white. If possible, click several gray patches and see what happens to the image, choosing the best result. ColorPerfect provides great control over color relationships in an image while still retaining a natural appearance.

ColorPerfect will also deal with problem or mishandled negatives or positives using the unique FilmType system, but save this until you have gained some familiarity with ColorPerfect. Use the Help system to get a better idea of how FilmType works.

There is also a unique ColorPerfect Alpha Channel Feature with the ability to apply the accurate colors of an image to a grayscale version of the same image made from any image adjustment that has been prepared outside of ColorPerfect.

07 TROUBLESHOOTING: THE COLORPERFECT PLUG-IN CANNOT BE RESIZED

The PC version of ColorPerfect cannot be resized using a handle on its dialog as is the case for the modern 64 bit Mac version we use in our video tutorials. Note that we provide a download with 16 different sizes of PC plug-ins to provide each user with the dialog size he or she favors.

08 TROUBLESHOOTING: ENTERING COLORPERFECT LICENSE KEY AFTER PURCHASE

Using Help on the Register button and the registration dialog in the ColorPerfect plug-in will explain the registration sequence, too. You can avoid typing in the registration code by doing a copy and paste from your e-mail containing the key code. Copy the Key text from the e-mail in the normal manner, then start up the ColorPerfect plug-in and don't actuate any item on its interface except the Register button (it is on the bottom of the Start Panel which is in the upper right corner) to pull up the registration dialog box, then click inside to highlight the registration Key edit box. Then press Ctrl+V to paste the key. OK out of the registration dialog and then OK or Cancel out of ColorPerfect. The key will be active the NEXT time you call up ColorPerfect. Please remember to keep a copy of your key in case you need it in the future.

If you have both 32-bit and 64-bit versions of Adobe Photoshop installed on your computer it will be necessary to do the registration process on both versions. This counts as only one installation.

Occasionally we get e-mails from users who cannot get their purchased key to work. In fact the keys always do work. If you are having trouble getting your key to work please just enter the key by hand. There are no numeric digits 0, 1, or 2 in the key codes. The letters O, I, and Z might be mistaken for them in some fonts. The letters are all capitals.

09 LEGAL NOTICE

This software is provided "as is" without any warranty or condition, whether expressed, implied or statutory. In no event will C F Systems be liable for any lost profits or other consequential, incidental or special damages (however arising, including negligence) in connection with the ColorPerfect software even if C F Systems has been advised of the possibility of such damages. In no event will C F Systems' liability in connection with the ColorPerfect software regardless of the form of action, exceed the purchase price of the software. C F Systems retains all right, title, and interest in and to the ColorPerfect software. This software is Copyright 2004 - 2024 by C F Systems. All rights reserved. You may make copies of this software for personal use or for use within your own single business location, not to exceed three (3) copies total for each registration Key code purchased. You are prohibited from making copies for distribution in any other form.

Adobe, Photoshop, Photoshop Elements and DNG Converter are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Adobe Systems Incorporated in the United States and/or other countries. PhotoLine is a trademark of Computerinsel GmbH in Germany and/or other countries. Windows is trademark of Microsoft Corporation, registered in the United States and other countries. Apple, Macintosh and Mac OS are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the United States and other countries. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.