5.2. Color Balance

The color balance tool modifies the color balance of the active selection or layer. Changes are not drastic. This tool is suitable to correct predominant colors in digital photos.

5.2.1. Activating the Tool

You can get to the Color balance tool in several ways :

  • In the the image-menu through: ToolsColor ToolsColor Balance, or ColorsColor Balance,

  • by clicking the tool icon: in Toolbox, provided that you have installed color tools in Toolbox. For this, go to Tools Dialog.

5.2.2. Options

Figure 13.127. Color Balance options

Color Balance options

Presets

You can save the color settings of your image by clicking the Add settings to favourites button

The button opens a menu:

Figure 13.128. Preset Menu

Preset Menu

which lets you Import Settings from File or Export Settings to File, and gives you access to the Manage Save Settings dialog:

Figure 13.129. Manage saved Settings Dialog

Manage saved Settings Dialog

Select range to adjust

Selecting one of these options will restrict the range of colors which are changed with the sliders or input boxes for Shadows (darkest pixels), Midtones (medium pixels) and Highlights (brightest pixels).

Adjust color levels

Sliders and range from the three RGB colors to their complementary colors (CMY). The zero position corresponds to the current level value of pixels in the original image. You can change the pixel color either towards Red or Cyan, Green or Magenta, Blue or Yellow.

Reset Range

This button sets color levels of the selected range back to the zero position (original values).

Preserve Luminosity

This option ensures that brightness of the active layer or selection is maintained. The Value of brightest pixels is not changed.

Preview

The Preview checkbox toggles dynamic image updating. If this option is on, any change made to the RGB levels are immediately seen on the active selection or layer.