# Faded Balancer DCTL - FAQ

Home • Background & Science • Presets Companion

--- ### Frequently Asked Questions **Why don't the UI sliders move when I select a preset?** > This is a current limitation of the DCTL format, which does not allow an effect to modify its own UI sliders. > > However, this limitation results in a non-destructive workflow. Presets operate on temporary internal variables, leaving your existing slider adjustments untouched. This allows you to apply and toggle presets without losing your manual settings. The preset is applied *before* your slider adjustments in the image processing pipeline. > > A future version of this tool as a native OpenFX plugin may overcome this limitation and have the sliders update when a preset is selected. **What does the `Preserve Luminance` checkbox do?** > It automatically renormalizes the image's luminance *after* any per-channel adjustments have been made. This helps maintain a consistent overall exposure while you correct specific color casts. Note that global adjustments will still affect the final brightness. **When should I use the `Output to Cineon Log` option?** > This is a diagnostic tool designed to help you balance channels safely. By converting the output to a Cineon-like log profile, it allows you to inspect the image for channel imbalances and potential clipping in the highlights or shadows before it happens. It is not intended as a final color space transform for delivery. > > Imagine a waveform monitor. A standard output might clip, losing detail in the brightest parts of the image. The Cineon Log output compresses the dynamic range, so you can see all the detail. > > ``` > Clipped Highlights (Standard View) Preserved Highlights (Cineon Log View) > 1023 |--------------------^^^^^^^----| 1023 |--------------------------------| > | / | | | > 768 |------------------/------------| 768 |--------------------/\----------| > | / | | / \ | > 512 |----------------/--------------| 512 |------------------/----\--------| > | / | | / \ | > 256 |---------------/---------------| 256 |----------------/--------\------| > | / | | / \ | > 0 |-------------/-----------------| 0 |--------------/------------\---| > > ``` > In the "Clipped" example, the waveform hits the top and flattens, indicating lost detail. In the "Log" view, the entire waveform is visible, allowing for more precise adjustments. **My image looks worse after applying a preset. What should I do?** > Presets are intended as starting points, not one-click solutions. If a preset doesn't produce the desired result, switch back to "None" and begin with manual adjustments. A good starting workflow is to use the "Fade Correction" slider first, then fine-tune the balance using the per-channel `Midtones` controls. **What is the difference between Channel Mixing and Channel Replacement?** > **Mixing** combines channels using `min` (Darken) or `max` (Lighten) composite operations. For example, `Red = min(Red, Green)` will darken the red channel wherever it is brighter than the green channel. This is useful for subtle corrections. > > **Replacement** completely overwrites the pixel values of one channel with another (e.g., `Red -> Green` makes the red channel's data identical to the green channel's). This is a more aggressive tool, best used for correcting severe color casts where one channel is almost entirely gone. **How do the new shadow/highlight mixing controls work? (v1.6.0)** > The **🎭 Mixing Shadows** and **🎭 Mixing Highlights** sliders control where mixing operations take effect in the image. Set to `1.0` for full effect in that tonal range, `0.0` for no effect. > > **Important:** These controls now affect both matrix mixing (e.g. Red from Green, Green from Red) and darken/lighten mixing (e.g. Red darken with Green). All channel mixing operations are masked to the selected tonal regions. > > **Example:** If blue is damaged only in shadows, set "Blue Darken With Green", then "Mixing Shadows = 1.0" and "Mixing Highlights = 0.0". This repairs blue shadows using green data while leaving highlights untouched. The same applies if you use matrix mixing (e.g. "Blue from Green")—the effect will only apply in the selected tonal region. > > This is perfect for film restoration where damage often occurs in specific tonal ranges. **What does Donor Luminance do? (v1.6.0)** > The **🎭 Donor Luminance** slider (0.1-3.0, default 1.0) adjusts the brightness of the source channel before it's used in any mixing operation. Values < 1.0 darken the donor, values > 1.0 brighten it. > > **Important:** Donor Luminance now affects both matrix mixing and darken/lighten mixing. This gives you precise control over how aggressively the donor channel repairs the target channel for all types of mixing. > > **Example:** When using green to lighten blue, if green is too bright and over-corrects, lower Donor Luminance to 0.7-0.9 to reduce green's contribution. Conversely, if green is too dark, increase to 1.1-1.5. This works for both matrix and min/max mixing. > > Use Donor Luminance to fine-tune the strength of repairs, especially when the donor channel is not a perfect match for the target. **What does Channel Preview do? (v1.6.0)** > **👁️ Channel Preview** lets you isolate individual channels (Red Only, Green Only, Blue Only) to inspect damage without using keyboard shortcuts. Essential for film restoration workflow to see exactly which channels need repair. Set back to "Normal" for standard color view. --- ### Practical Usage Guidance - Use Mixing Shadows/Highlights to restrict repairs to specific tonal regions (shadows, highlights, or both). - Use Donor Luminance to control the strength of the donor channel in all mixing operations. - All mixing controls (matrix and min/max) are affected by these settings for consistent results. - Use Channel Preview to inspect channels before and after repairs.