It's that time again where I offer up the latest re-write/replacement. This time it's the Life module.
It has been re-written from the ground up with a much faster model generation algorithm, which is particularly quick on GPUs.
The much faster processing times and new presets (making better use of old and new functionality) should hopefully make it much easier to take advantage of this module, as well as invite experimentation.
To recap what the Super Structure module does;
(Upper left: original, upper right: Brightness preset, bottom left: Dim Small preset, bottom right: Saturate)The Super Structure module isolates super structures (such as very large scale nebulosity, galaxies and spiral arms) and allows you to manipulate these super structures in varying ways, independently of the rest of the image.
Uses include pushing back busy star fields obscuring super structures, emphasising super structures, or enhancing colouring in super structures.
The super structure model is constructed by remodelling uniform light diffraction of the input image. Throughout the various processing stages, light diffraction (a subtle 'glow' cause by diffraction by a circular opening, also known as an Airy disc profile) may be distorted and suppressed through the various ways dynamic range is manipulated. The Super Structure module restores light diffraction uniformly throughout a processed image, which can be used to impart a subtle depth and ambience to an image that is hard to restore or retain otherwise
Having many uses for final image presentation after colour and detail have been brought out to taste, the usage of the Super Structure module is chiefly recommended as one of the last processing steps. The use of a mask is possible for selective processing, however if uncompromised documentary value of the final image is desired (e.g. the image is to be presented as a photo, rather than art), then relying on the model as extracted from the dataset itself is highly preferable.
The venerable Isolate preset is also still available, but now has a cousin that retains apparent brightness too.
Overall, like its predecessor, it is a great module to give extra dramatic effect to your images in a way that can be elusive with other tools.
Clear skies!