How To Photograpy: Bi-Color User Defined Filter in Color Efex Pro 4
- Written by Mark Rainer
The Bi-Color User Defined Filter in Color Efex Pro 4 simulates the traditional glass bi-color filter by blending two colors and then adding the result to the image. This filter takes the traditional Bi-Color filter to a new level of creativity by adding the ability to select both of the colors used in the filter for both the upper and lower colors. Let’s take a look at how to select or create the color we want to use as well as how to use the controls for Opacity, Blend, Vertical Shift, and Rotation.
Begin by selecting a color for the top and a different color for the bottom area for the image. You can either select the eyedropper to choose a color from the image, or click the color patch to open the color picker.
The Opacity slider allows you to increase or decrease the strength of the filter effect. By moving the slider to the right to 100%, you will see the full effect of the filter. The opposite will happen by moving the slider to the left. At 0%, the filter effect is globally removed from the image.
The Blend slider will transition the top and the bottom colors making this a very distinct transition at 0%, or a very soft, subtle looking transition at 100%.
The Vertical Shift slider will move the horizon either all the way to the bottom at 100%, or to the top at 0%. The default is set at 50% which is in the middle.
You can change the angle of the rotation of the filter by moving the slider at a 360 or 0 degree angle or any angle in between.
Tip: To quickly see a preview of before and after, press the P key on the keyboard. A list of keyboard shortcuts is available by clicking on the Help button in the lower left-hand corner of the Color Efex Pro 4 interface window, and then choosing the Keyboard Shortcuts tab.