Skip to main content

Capture One 12 launches ‘near-instantaneous’ masking tool in new interface

Capture One 12 | What's new?

Masking local adjustments is one of the more time-consuming tasks in photo editing, but Capture One, the RAW photo editor from Phase One, claims to turn the task to one that’s “near-instantaneous” with a new tool. On Thursday, November 29, Phase One launched Capture One 12 with new masking tools, an enhanced user interface, and the possibility of third-party expansions.

Capture One 12 adds or updates three masking tools, designed to select portions of the image quickly. Headlining the list, a new luminosity mask selects areas of the image based on the brightness of each pixel. Photo editors can use a range slider to select the range of brightness for the selection, and if needed, continue refining the selection with the brush tool. 

While results will vary based on the brightness levels in the photo, Phase One says that the tool in many cases creates an almost instant selection. The tool is likely to be most helpful in selecting areas that are brighter or darker than the rest of the image, such as selecting the sky in a landscape image.

The update also brings enhanced linear gradient and radial gradient masks. Using what’s called a Parametric Masking image, both types of masks can be adjusted in size, shape, and symmetry using the mouse or keyboard. The company says the update makes the masks more precise than previously possible.

With the update, Capture One also opened and new plug-in ecosystem by launching an SDK kit for developers. The change allows developers to create compatible plug-ins, opening up opportunities to expand the software with third-party add-ons as options are developed.

The latest version also enhances the user interface, a change that the company says is designed to make the program easier to use during long editing stretches. Icons have been revamped to better represent the tool while sliders have also been enhanced. Phase One also adjusted the font size and spacing between tools to enhance the look of the software.

As with most RAW software updates, Thursday’s update also brings additional compatibility with recently released cameras, including the new Nikon and Canon full-frame mirrorless bodies. The software is also now compatible with Fujifilm Film Simulation.

Capture One Pro 12 is available with a $299 perpetual license or $149 upgrade, with subscriptions starting at $15 a month. Capture One Pro Sony and Capture One Pro Fujifilm are available for a $219 one-time purchase or $14 a month.

Editors' Recommendations

Hillary K. Grigonis
Hillary never planned on becoming a photographer—and then she was handed a camera at her first writing job and she's been…
Samsung cleans up its Android interface with new One UI skin
Samsung One UI

Details about Samsung's upcoming foldable phone may have stolen the show at the Samsung Developer Conference keynote, but Samsung had some other news to show off. Namely, the company took the wraps off of a new Android skin for its phones going forward. The new skin is called One UI and apart from the sweet visual aspects it has on offer, it could make using your phone that little bit easier.

We were able to check out One UI for ourselves at the Samsung Developer Conference, and can confirm that the overall experience seemed very clean and stripped back. It's not quite on the same level as stock Android -- it still has Samsung apps and services -- but compared to Samsung Experience, it's much more basic, which is a good thing.

Read more
Capture One makes batch editing and presets faster with latest update
capture one 111 released co11 1 ausrababiedaite 1900px 3

Phase One’s RAW photo editor Capture One is getting a workflow boost with a few tool tweaks. On Thursday, April 19, Phase One launched Capture One 11.1, an update adding workflow improvements and expanding camera support.

The update enhances the software’s styles and presets tools in order to help photographers and photo editors work faster, Phase One says. Applying both Styles and Presets is faster in 11.1, while the interface adjustment also allows photo editors to control the capacity. The enhancements speed up the process whether the effects are used on a single photo or in batch processing, the company says. The update also includes a Spring Styles pack.

Read more
BlackBerry capitalizes on 2017’s surprising success with new Bronze Edition KeyOne
Blackberry KeyOne with Keyboard.

BlackBerry will launch two new smartphones this year that are not based on the existing KeyOne or Motion, and both will have physical keyboards. It has also added a third revision of the existing KeyOne to its lineup, in response to massive demand for the phone. Digital Trends sat down with Gareth Hurn, BlackBerry’s global head of device portfolio, to talk about the coming year for the company, and the influence the past year has had on its plans. It’s still too early for Hurn to talk specifics about the forthcoming new phones, but he did give us a few hints.

“There’s mileage to innovate further on the keyboard,” he told us. BlackBerry wants it to be seen as a modern alternative to a touchscreen, and not just a retro piece of tech for the nostalgic. Evidence of this can already be seen in the KeyOne, ranging from the customizable shortcuts that can be assigned to each key, to the entire keyboard working like a capacitive touch panel, adding convenience and functionality.

Read more