Geometry Correction in DxO PhotoLab 7
DxO PhotoLab 7 meets DxO ViewPoint 4
Geometry Correction in DxO PhotoLab 7 is well provided for with an array of tools, some aimed at correction, others at creation. But where is the crossover between PhotoLab 7 and Viewpoint 4? The DxO PhotoLab 7 Geometry Palette contains some of the answers.
The interdependencies between various elements of the DxO Software suite has rarely been entirely clear. For example, in PhotoLab 7 we have Luminosity masks, dependent on having a license for FilmPack 7. The rationale is not entirely obvious.
To confuse the issue further, the Nik Collection includes Perspective, a tool that works as a plugin to Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop, The two tools are functionally identical, ViewPoint offering only Preview as a differentiator, but Perspective is only linked to PhotoLab via the export process so in workflow terms it would only realistically work at the end of a processing session. ViewPoint however is fully integrated into PhotoLab so you can correct the geometry at the most appropriate time which for me is at the beginning of a session, after the optical corrections have been applied.
This looks a lot clearer if you view the Nik Collection as primarily a plugin (or several plugins) to Lightroom and Photoshop. ViewPoint is a standalone application that is properly integrated with PhotoLab.
So to look at the integrated toolset, lets examine the overlap between Viewpoint 4 and PhotoLab 7.
DxO PhotoLab 7 ELITE edition includes perspective tools previously available only by the purchase of DxO ViewPoint: Force parallel, Rectangle, and 8-point perspective tools.
DxO ESSENTIAL Edition does not have access to these tools without a license for ViewPoint 4.
Additionally, DxO ViewPoint 4 is still required for ReShape tool, mirror image, volume deformation, and Miniature effect, as well as to access the standalone application.
Confused? Join the club! For amateur photographers that came to DxO via the Nik Collection, this seems to be a license too far. For professionals who can justify the extra purchase, one or other of these applications (Most likely Perspective) will sit on the shelf. Either way it’s an extra license.
In fairness to DxO, they are not alone in having an impenetrable commercial model. Luminar are far worse, and in DxO’s case, ViewPoint 4 in particular is an essential tool for Architectural photography and far superior to anything in the Adobe suite. Similarly, FilmPack 7 is probably the best film emulation application out there. Combined, you have a very strong suit of tools. Albeit one that requires three licenses to maintain.
Table of Contents
Video
DxO PhotoLab Geometry Palette
Within the Geometry Palette you will find the Crop tool, Distortion correction, Perspective Tools and the Volume Deformation tool.
You’ll find the Miniature Effect tool in the fx palette.
Let’s run through the Geometry tools from the top.
Focal Length and Focusing Distance
These two tools are activated if the information is missing from the Exif file associate with the photograph. This could happen if you are using an obscure lens on a modern camera body.
In each case it allows you to set the value appropriately.
Horizon
The Horizon tool is for levelling the horizon where needed. Simply draw the horizon onto the tool in the plane that you think is correct. The picture will then be straightened to render the line you just drew horizontal. There are handles on the line to make fine adjustments.
Alternatively, you can use the Horizon slider to tilt the picture in either direction, manually.
Crop
We all love the Crop tool! Useful for eliminating distracting stuff on the borders of images and fine tuning the composition.
The Crop tool is linked to the Horizon tool in that if you straighten the horizon, a new crop is applied eliminating any missing information around the corners.
In addition, there is an Aspect Ratio Selector featuring standard ratios and an unconstrained option and the Crop Tool itself which allows you to manually place and adjust your crop on the image. A grid is automatically overlayed on the image when you use the Crop Tool, to help align to the Rule of Thirds if that is relevant to you.
The Aspect Ratio can be overwritten with a new custom ratio. If that ratio is in fact the same as an existing ratio then the tool will choose the existing ratio. For example, 12 x 8 is the same ratio as 3 x 2.
Distortion
The Distortion tool is automatically applied if you use the Optical Corrections preset, if not, you can turn it on here. It corrects volume deformation arising from certain lens characteristics. Normally this would be Pincushion or Barrel type distortion.
Where there is no optical correction data for the lens you are using, you can adjust manually. Choose Barrel, Pincushion or Fisheye from the drop down and adjust the intensity until lines that should be straight in the image, are straightened.
The Keep Aspect Ratio tickbox can be checked where it is important to retain the original aspect ratio. Like straightening horizons, distortion corrections can cause empty areas to be found around the edges.
Perspective
The perspective tool matters most with architecture.
In architecture, because the photographer is usually at the bottom of the image it is difficult to record an accurate perspective. Normally this surfaces as divergent lines in the image, especially at the edges and worst with wide angle lenses.
The Perspective tool lets you correct vertical parallels, horizontal parallels, force a rectangle, and even perform an 8-point correction.
Like the crop tool, these tools can be invoked form the top tool bar as well as the Geometry Palette. In the Geometry Tool there are additional sliders.
- Up/Down
- Left/Right
- X/Y Ratio
These sliders rotate the image around a vertical or horizontal axis or in the case of X/Y allows you to stretch the image in the vertical and horizontal planes.
As well as the tools themselves – Force Parallel, Rectangle and 8 Point.
Force Parallel allows you to set two lines overlaying the image, aligned to lines in the image that you think should be parallel.
Rectangle does the same thing in relation to rectangular items in the image. You move the “handles” to the corners of the rectangular item in the image and the tool forces the corrected perspective.
8 Points is a more sophisticated version of Rectangle and allows you to align planes between different places and distances in the image.
Volume Deformation
This tool is aimed at wide angle lens distortion. Choose Diagonal from the drop down for architecture, horizontal/vertical for situations such as team photos where there is visible horizontal stretching at the edges.
ReShape
The ReShape tool requires ViewPoint 4 to be installed and lays a grid with multiple movable handles so that you can adjust at a fine grained level any aspect of the picture. Great for complicated architectural shots, but I’ve also seen it used to stretch hills into mountains!
DxO PhotoLab fx Palette
The fx palette contains a multitude of effects you can add to your photo. So far as Geometry is concerned there is one, the Miniature Effect.
Miniature Effect Tool
The Miniature Effect was introduced in ViewPoint and shifts the planes of focus so that one plane is retained in sharp focus and the rest is blurred. This tricks the eye into thinking the objects in clear focus are miniature.
The tool allows you to define your plane of sharp focus by moving the dividers in the overlay around.
The Symmetric Position checkbox ties the guides to a parallel position, unchecking it allows you to change the boundaries between sharp and soft independently of one another. You can also set the level of blur to taste, either in sync or independently.
Geometry Correction in DxO PhotoLab 7 – Conclusion
The Geometry Palette has traditionally been used for correction rather than creativity but there are now several tools imported from ViewPoint that open up creative possibilities, the ReShape Tool and the Miniature Effect (in the fx palette) being the most striking.
If you plan to rely on these tools to correct geometry in your photos, be aware that you need to leave plenty of room all around the subject. distortion correction eats away at the edge of the image and you will find yourself unable to frame the complete subject if you shoot to fill the frame. Far better to allow ample space to crop in after the corrections have been completed.
Download Software
Trial Versions of DxO software here
Buy DxO ViewPoint 4 here
Buy DxO PhotoLab 7 here
Articles and Videos About PhotoLab 7
DxO vs Adobe Repair and Clone Tools
,DxO – Control Lines and Grad Filters
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