smadell

Hey, James...
Just to nitpick...  The link to the video titled "Inpainting" says "Pinpointing" instead!

In response to a post I made last May, MJSfoto1956 suggested the use of Blend Options as an alternative to more traditional luminosity masks. It turns out that the use of the Blend Options panel, combined with a little math, makes luminosity based selections quite effective. The trouble is that the method is cumbersome if you do them from scratch each time.

What I have created is a series of Macros that automates the process. The attached afmacros file contains macros for creating Luminosity Selections in their usual and anticipated forms: Lights 1 through Lights 4, Darks 1 through Darks 4, and Midtones 1 through Midtones 4.

Notes:

1) Each action will select a luminosity-based portion of the selected layer.
2) NO additional channels are created, so files don’t become bloated.
3) Once the selection is made, it can be used for an adjustment layer, a mask, a live filter, etc. It can be deselected (like any selection). It can be replaced by using a different selection (e.g., click on Lights 2 to replace the selection made by Lights 1).

Caveats:

4) You must have a Pixel layer or an Image layer selected for the macros to work properly. If you have any other type of layer selected, or if you have NO layer selected, the results you get will be wrong.
5) The macros will undo any Blend Options you may have set on the selected layer.
6) I am one person with one computer. Obviously, I have not tested these macros in every possible situation. Use them if you like them. No guarantees are made.
7) However, if you like them, they are yours. They are my way of saying “thank you” to the Forum for helping me learn a wonderful piece of software!
Luminosity Selections.afmacros.zip

In most cases, luminosity selections don't limit the pixels that are selected. All of the pixels in a layer are selected. However, pixels vary in the amount they are selected. So, in a "Lights 1" luminosity selection, the very white pixels are fully selected (100% or thereabouts) while the very dark pixels are selected only minimally. The "marching ants" you are seeing in your luminosity selection is really only the margin of where pixels are 50% selected or more. And, since all of the pixels are selected to one degree or another, you can paint on all of them.
However, the answer to your problem is really much simpler than that. Once your luminosity selection is made, open the "Layers" panel and click the " + " sign at the top. From the drop-down menu, indicate that you want to add a Mask layer. The mask you add will inherit the luminosity selection perfectly. No painting needed.

I have four separate feature requests that I'd like to submit. I have created a separate post for each of them, and they are all posted here within the "Feature Requests & Feedback" section. I have included proposed Studio-type panels (or modifications of existing panels) in each of the posts.
3) Select Color Range using HSL-like Definition
I love that the HSL Adjustment panel now allows customized hue ranges. It's a really powerful addition. I would really like to see this sort of color range choice for some variant of the Select Color Range… menu choice. In addition to Select Reds, Select Greens, and Select Blues, I would love to be able to choose Select Custom… and be presented with the same color range chooser used in the HSL panel. The output of such a Select Custom… choice should be tailored in a similar fashion to the Refine Selection dialog; that is, allow the output to be a Selection, a Mask, a Layer, or a Layer with a Mask.

In the past few years, I have posted a number of Macros for anyone who wants them. Some have been more widely downloaded than others. With the release of version 1.7, however, I have found that a number of them are using Adjustment Layers that have been updated by Serif. The macros now contain a step invoking the "legacy" version of the adjustment which , once the macro completes, is then automatically updated to the new version.
So far, so good.
But, version 1.7 puts up a notification stating that the adjustment has been updated, and this notification appears each and every time the macro is invoked. Even though the notification eventually goes away on its own, it's certainly an eyesore if you use the macros more than sporadically.
Bummer.
So, I am attaching updated versions of the macros that have been affected by this change. These include the Infrared Simulation Effect as well as the more-recently posted Saturation Mask macros. They are labelled as "v1.1" macros, since they have been re-coded with the new versions of the adjustments. Additionally, minor changes were made to the Infrared macro such that all the added layers are contained within a Group (which can be easily turned on or off with a single click).
Both of these are attached to this post, and can be downloaded here. They are macro categories and therefore should be imported into the Library panel (not directly into the Macros panel). You can feel free to delete the older versions, although those older macros will still work - they will just give you the "nag screen" each time they are invoked.
For reference, here are links to the original posts for both sets of macros:
Infrared Simulation: https://forum.affinity.serif.com/index.php?/topic/40759-infrared-simulation/
Saturation Masks: https://forum.affinity.serif.com/index.php?/topic/76900-saturation-masks-a-simple-method/
Please enjoy the updated macros.
Infrared Simulation v1.1.afmacros
Saturation Masks v1.1.afmacros

I have four separate feature requests that I'd like to submit. I have created a separate post for each of them, and they are all posted here within the "Feature Requests & Feedback" section. I have included proposed Studio-type panels (or modifications of existing panels) in each of the posts.
3) Select Color Range using HSL-like Definition
I love that the HSL Adjustment panel now allows customized hue ranges. It's a really powerful addition. I would really like to see this sort of color range choice for some variant of the Select Color Range… menu choice. In addition to Select Reds, Select Greens, and Select Blues, I would love to be able to choose Select Custom… and be presented with the same color range chooser used in the HSL panel. The output of such a Select Custom… choice should be tailored in a similar fashion to the Refine Selection dialog; that is, allow the output to be a Selection, a Mask, a Layer, or a Layer with a Mask.

I have four separate feature requests that I'd like to submit. I have created a separate post for each of them, and they are all posted here within the "Feature Requests & Feedback" section. I have included proposed Studio-type panels (or modifications of existing panels) in each of the posts.
2) A New Filter - Add Grain
A suggestion for an additional Filter. While the Add Noise… choice is nice, it tends to give a small and very uniform form of noise. This might be great for dealing with certain situations, but it's not a good substitute for adding Grain to a picture (to give a photo an old-time type of look). I suggest a separate Filter that deals with Adding Grain, providing sliders such as (i) Grain per pixel; and (ii) Soft vs Hard. This reasonably simple set of choices is present in the Nik Silver Efex plug-in, and gives me all the choices I think I might want.

This one's for Dave Straker...
I am using a Mac, and I know you're on Windows, so that may explain the difference. Nevertheless, checking the "Reveal" box within the Crop tool's context toolbar does indeed reveal the canvas of a previously cropped photo. (Also, I assume that "Rasterize and Trim" has not been previously used.) This is what I get when I check, or un-check, that box on a photo that I had previously cropped:

I’ve created a macro that can simulate the look of Infrared Photography. It expands on the method that James outlined in his tutorial video, adding a few additional flourishes. The macro is attached and can be imported into Affinity Photo.

To import the macro, select the “hamburger” icon at the top, right of the Library panel. Choose “Import Macros…”



Start by choosing a Pixel layer. Click the macro and you will get a lovely infrared-looking image.

1) If you adjust the opacity of the layer named “Infrared Inverted” you can add more or less color to the image.
2) True infrared images have a softness and graininess to them. Because of that, I have included a Noise layer and a Diffuse Glow layer. Feel free to adjust them, or turn them off.
3) If the image has too much pink to suit your liking, open the HSL layer and switch to the Reds. Lower the Saturation until the pinkish color is muted or gone.
4) I have placed a Lens Filter adjustment at the top of the layer stack. It is a blue filter, which will cool the image a bit. By default, it is turned off. Turn it back on to apply it.

Here is the macro in action:


 
Infrared.afmacros.zip

In the past few years, I have posted a number of Macros for anyone who wants them. Some have been more widely downloaded than others. With the release of version 1.7, however, I have found that a number of them are using Adjustment Layers that have been updated by Serif. The macros now contain a step invoking the "legacy" version of the adjustment which , once the macro completes, is then automatically updated to the new version.
So far, so good.
But, version 1.7 puts up a notification stating that the adjustment has been updated, and this notification appears each and every time the macro is invoked. Even though the notification eventually goes away on its own, it's certainly an eyesore if you use the macros more than sporadically.
Bummer.
So, I am attaching updated versions of the macros that have been affected by this change. These include the Infrared Simulation Effect as well as the more-recently posted Saturation Mask macros. They are labelled as "v1.1" macros, since they have been re-coded with the new versions of the adjustments. Additionally, minor changes were made to the Infrared macro such that all the added layers are contained within a Group (which can be easily turned on or off with a single click).
Both of these are attached to this post, and can be downloaded here. They are macro categories and therefore should be imported into the Library panel (not directly into the Macros panel). You can feel free to delete the older versions, although those older macros will still work - they will just give you the "nag screen" each time they are invoked.
For reference, here are links to the original posts for both sets of macros:
Infrared Simulation: https://forum.affinity.serif.com/index.php?/topic/40759-infrared-simulation/
Saturation Masks: https://forum.affinity.serif.com/index.php?/topic/76900-saturation-masks-a-simple-method/
Please enjoy the updated macros.
Infrared Simulation v1.1.afmacros
Saturation Masks v1.1.afmacros

Here’s the old videos...
https://forum.affinity.serif.com/index.php?/topic/10119-legacy-official-affinity-photo-desktop-video-tutorials/
 

In the past few years, I have posted a number of Macros for anyone who wants them. Some have been more widely downloaded than others. With the release of version 1.7, however, I have found that a number of them are using Adjustment Layers that have been updated by Serif. The macros now contain a step invoking the "legacy" version of the adjustment which , once the macro completes, is then automatically updated to the new version.
So far, so good.
But, version 1.7 puts up a notification stating that the adjustment has been updated, and this notification appears each and every time the macro is invoked. Even though the notification eventually goes away on its own, it's certainly an eyesore if you use the macros more than sporadically.
Bummer.
So, I am attaching updated versions of the macros that have been affected by this change. These include the Infrared Simulation Effect as well as the more-recently posted Saturation Mask macros. They are labelled as "v1.1" macros, since they have been re-coded with the new versions of the adjustments. Additionally, minor changes were made to the Infrared macro such that all the added layers are contained within a Group (which can be easily turned on or off with a single click).
Both of these are attached to this post, and can be downloaded here. They are macro categories and therefore should be imported into the Library panel (not directly into the Macros panel). You can feel free to delete the older versions, although those older macros will still work - they will just give you the "nag screen" each time they are invoked.
For reference, here are links to the original posts for both sets of macros:
Infrared Simulation: https://forum.affinity.serif.com/index.php?/topic/40759-infrared-simulation/
Saturation Masks: https://forum.affinity.serif.com/index.php?/topic/76900-saturation-masks-a-simple-method/
Please enjoy the updated macros.
Infrared Simulation v1.1.afmacros
Saturation Masks v1.1.afmacros

In the past few years, I have posted a number of Macros for anyone who wants them. Some have been more widely downloaded than others. With the release of version 1.7, however, I have found that a number of them are using Adjustment Layers that have been updated by Serif. The macros now contain a step invoking the "legacy" version of the adjustment which , once the macro completes, is then automatically updated to the new version.
So far, so good.
But, version 1.7 puts up a notification stating that the adjustment has been updated, and this notification appears each and every time the macro is invoked. Even though the notification eventually goes away on its own, it's certainly an eyesore if you use the macros more than sporadically.
Bummer.
So, I am attaching updated versions of the macros that have been affected by this change. These include the Infrared Simulation Effect as well as the more-recently posted Saturation Mask macros. They are labelled as "v1.1" macros, since they have been re-coded with the new versions of the adjustments. Additionally, minor changes were made to the Infrared macro such that all the added layers are contained within a Group (which can be easily turned on or off with a single click).
Both of these are attached to this post, and can be downloaded here. They are macro categories and therefore should be imported into the Library panel (not directly into the Macros panel). You can feel free to delete the older versions, although those older macros will still work - they will just give you the "nag screen" each time they are invoked.
For reference, here are links to the original posts for both sets of macros:
Infrared Simulation: https://forum.affinity.serif.com/index.php?/topic/40759-infrared-simulation/
Saturation Masks: https://forum.affinity.serif.com/index.php?/topic/76900-saturation-masks-a-simple-method/
Please enjoy the updated macros.
Infrared Simulation v1.1.afmacros
Saturation Masks v1.1.afmacros

In the past few years, I have posted a number of Macros for anyone who wants them. Some have been more widely downloaded than others. With the release of version 1.7, however, I have found that a number of them are using Adjustment Layers that have been updated by Serif. The macros now contain a step invoking the "legacy" version of the adjustment which , once the macro completes, is then automatically updated to the new version.
So far, so good.
But, version 1.7 puts up a notification stating that the adjustment has been updated, and this notification appears each and every time the macro is invoked. Even though the notification eventually goes away on its own, it's certainly an eyesore if you use the macros more than sporadically.
Bummer.
So, I am attaching updated versions of the macros that have been affected by this change. These include the Infrared Simulation Effect as well as the more-recently posted Saturation Mask macros. They are labelled as "v1.1" macros, since they have been re-coded with the new versions of the adjustments. Additionally, minor changes were made to the Infrared macro such that all the added layers are contained within a Group (which can be easily turned on or off with a single click).
Both of these are attached to this post, and can be downloaded here. They are macro categories and therefore should be imported into the Library panel (not directly into the Macros panel). You can feel free to delete the older versions, although those older macros will still work - they will just give you the "nag screen" each time they are invoked.
For reference, here are links to the original posts for both sets of macros:
Infrared Simulation: https://forum.affinity.serif.com/index.php?/topic/40759-infrared-simulation/
Saturation Masks: https://forum.affinity.serif.com/index.php?/topic/76900-saturation-masks-a-simple-method/
Please enjoy the updated macros.
Infrared Simulation v1.1.afmacros
Saturation Masks v1.1.afmacros

In the past few years, I have posted a number of Macros for anyone who wants them. Some have been more widely downloaded than others. With the release of version 1.7, however, I have found that a number of them are using Adjustment Layers that have been updated by Serif. The macros now contain a step invoking the "legacy" version of the adjustment which , once the macro completes, is then automatically updated to the new version.
So far, so good.
But, version 1.7 puts up a notification stating that the adjustment has been updated, and this notification appears each and every time the macro is invoked. Even though the notification eventually goes away on its own, it's certainly an eyesore if you use the macros more than sporadically.
Bummer.
So, I am attaching updated versions of the macros that have been affected by this change. These include the Infrared Simulation Effect as well as the more-recently posted Saturation Mask macros. They are labelled as "v1.1" macros, since they have been re-coded with the new versions of the adjustments. Additionally, minor changes were made to the Infrared macro such that all the added layers are contained within a Group (which can be easily turned on or off with a single click).
Both of these are attached to this post, and can be downloaded here. They are macro categories and therefore should be imported into the Library panel (not directly into the Macros panel). You can feel free to delete the older versions, although those older macros will still work - they will just give you the "nag screen" each time they are invoked.
For reference, here are links to the original posts for both sets of macros:
Infrared Simulation: https://forum.affinity.serif.com/index.php?/topic/40759-infrared-simulation/
Saturation Masks: https://forum.affinity.serif.com/index.php?/topic/76900-saturation-masks-a-simple-method/
Please enjoy the updated macros.
Infrared Simulation v1.1.afmacros
Saturation Masks v1.1.afmacros

The Picker can only be activated if you click on one of the color ranges (the 6 right-most circles) rather than the “Master” circle, which is what is chosen by default.

I just developed a Raw file in the AP Beta. Here's the Lens Correction filter from after the development. The camera, lens, and focal length are correctly identified.

This is a screen grab (just made a few minutes ago) from Beta build 127. I'm on a Mac, but Focal Length has been in my EXIF Summary for multiple builds, now.

So, I didn't initially realize that the top picture was pre-processed by the drone, and the bottom picture was the one you were having problems with. I have never had Affinity Photo do this to a panorama, but I also have ZERO experience with drone photography, and perhaps this is part of the problem.
Nonetheless, you can still use the Mesh Warp tool to correct that unfortunate bend on the right side (and could apply it in multiple places, if the situation warranted it):

Un-Bend Horizon.m4v

I’ve created a macro that can simulate the look of Infrared Photography. It expands on the method that James outlined in his tutorial video, adding a few additional flourishes. The macro is attached and can be imported into Affinity Photo.

To import the macro, select the “hamburger” icon at the top, right of the Library panel. Choose “Import Macros…”



Start by choosing a Pixel layer. Click the macro and you will get a lovely infrared-looking image.

1) If you adjust the opacity of the layer named “Infrared Inverted” you can add more or less color to the image.
2) True infrared images have a softness and graininess to them. Because of that, I have included a Noise layer and a Diffuse Glow layer. Feel free to adjust them, or turn them off.
3) If the image has too much pink to suit your liking, open the HSL layer and switch to the Reds. Lower the Saturation until the pinkish color is muted or gone.
4) I have placed a Lens Filter adjustment at the top of the layer stack. It is a blue filter, which will cool the image a bit. By default, it is turned off. Turn it back on to apply it.

Here is the macro in action:


 
Infrared.afmacros.zip

When I've had curved horizons (whether from stitching panoramas, or from lens distortion) I've used the Mesh Warp tool very successfully. It's simple, but it's destructive, so you might want to do it on a duplicated layer. See the short video below...

Un-Curve a Horizon.mp4

So, I didn't initially realize that the top picture was pre-processed by the drone, and the bottom picture was the one you were having problems with. I have never had Affinity Photo do this to a panorama, but I also have ZERO experience with drone photography, and perhaps this is part of the problem.
Nonetheless, you can still use the Mesh Warp tool to correct that unfortunate bend on the right side (and could apply it in multiple places, if the situation warranted it):

Un-Bend Horizon.m4v

Andy...
I know this is more a cosmetic change than a functional one, but thank you (!) for adding "Focal Length" to the EXIF Summary. It was the one piece of data I thought was missing, and it's nice to have it so readily available. I continue to enjoy this application so much!

Andy...
I know this is more a cosmetic change than a functional one, but thank you (!) for adding "Focal Length" to the EXIF Summary. It was the one piece of data I thought was missing, and it's nice to have it so readily available. I continue to enjoy this application so much!

I am attaching an Affinity Photo macro that turns a photo into a “Paint by Numbers” image. The attached file is a macros category, and should be imported through the “hamburger” menu at the top right of the Library panel. The category can also be imported into the iPad version of Affinity Photo, although there is one important limitation (more on this later).
When you use the macro, it creates a Group called “Paint by Numbers Effect.” All of the changes are inside of this group, so you can turn it on and off simply. Once you look inside the group, you will see multiple layers. From bottom to top, these are:
1) Original Image - Merge Visible
This is a “merge visible” version of your photo. It includes all of the editing you may have done up until that point.
2) Posterization Adjustment
This is a Posterize adjustment layer, and is meant to reduce the number of colors/tones used in the effect.
3) Outlines
This is a separate layer, created (in part) by using a Detect Edges filter. It provides outlines for the areas of color. This mimics the outlines that were present on the Paint by Numbers boards we used as kids.
4) Normalize Colors
This is a copy of the original Merge Visible image, and has its blend mode set to Color. This is used to reset the posterized colors to more natural ones.
5) Adjust Brightness & Contrast
This is a finishing adjustment, and can provide a better final effect.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Once you click the macro, you will be presented with a default version of the effect. A dialog box allows you to set a number of parameters. As you change each of these parameters, the Paint by Numbers effect is updated. You are asked:
Posterize - How Many Colors?
The default value is 4, but values between 3 and 6 generally give good results. If your image is a portrait, judging the final result by looking at what the different values do to the subject’s face is a good idea.
Outlines - Adjust the Opacity
The default is 50%. Adjust this upward to make the outlines more prominent; adjust it downward to make the outlines less obvious. Set to 0 to make them go away entirely.
Finish - Adjust the Brightness
Finish - Adjust the Contrast
The default is 10% brightness, and 20% contrast. Adjust these up or down to give you final effect the desired finish.
When you click Apply, the effect is finalized. Obviously, you can manually change any of the settings after the fact. However, you should know that while the number of posterization levels for the image is non-destructive, the originally chosen number is also used to create the outlines, and this is a destructive change. Although you can change the posterization level after the fact, it is not advisable to do this. The outlines might no longer line up with the individual areas of color.
Also, for some reason, the iPad version of Affinity Photo handles the macro pretty well but will not allow you to change the number of posterization levels before finalizing the effect. It is baked in at 4 levels. You can change this after the fact, but (as above) the number of levels in your posterized image may not match your outlines very well.
Here is the macro in action. The original image is top left; the parameters dialog is shown in its default state, and then changed during the course of the macro; the final effect is shown top right

As always, I am one person with one computer and have not tested this in every possible scenario. Try it and, if you like it, keep it and enjoy it. This forum has provided me with so many good ideas and answers to questions; this macro is my attempt to “pay it forward.”
[Note: Credit where credit is due. I am indebted to Dave Straker, whose recent YouTube video gave me some excellent ideas for this macro. Dave’s channel is called “InAffinity,” and is a steady source of helpful information. Thanks, Dave!]
 
Paint by Numbers.afmacros