To retouch photos using AKVIS Retoucher, follow these steps:
Step 1.Start the AKVIS Retoucher standalone or a graphics editor, if you wish to use the AKVIS Retoucher plugin.
Step 2. Open the image, which needs to be restored or edited, from which unnecessary details and defects need to be removed.
To use the plug-in:
Select File -> Open from the graphics editor's menu or the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+O (+O in Macintosh) to call the open file dialog and select the desired image file.
- In the standalone program (using a file in RAW, TIFF, BMP, JPEG or PNG formats):
The Select File To Open dialog box can immediately be called after opening the program by dragging the cursor into the Image Window and double clicking the mouse or by clicking on the Control Panel. Also, you can drag and drop the image into the program's workspace.
Step 3. If you are using the AKVIS Retoucher plug-in, call it from the menu by choosing Filter –> AKVIS –> Retoucher in Adobe Photoshop; Effects –> Plugins -> AKVIS –> Retoucher in Corel Paint Shop Pro; or Effects –> AKVIS –> Retoucher in Corel Photo-Paint.
Selections made in the graphics editor will be transferred to the plug-in.
Step 4. The first time the program starts it will be in Express mode, with a simplified interface and a minimal set of tools designed to quickly achieve a satisfactory result.
AKVIS Retoucher Workspace ("Express" Mode)
Experienced users can work in the advanced editing mode. Switch to this mode by clicking Advanced in the Control Panel: the interface's appearance will change, providing access to the full functionality of the program.
AKVIS Retoucher Workspace ("Advanced" Mode)
Step 5. Mark the areas of the image which need to be retouched. It might be a scratch, text, or a small object which needs to be removed. Selections made in the graphics editor will be transferred to the plug-in.
You can use the following tools to make a selection: Selection Brush, Exclusion Tool, Eraser, Selection Bucket, and Magic Wand.
The selected areas will be highlighted in red.
Defects Marked
You can save your work on a selection to a file (in .retouch format) with the button. You can then load this selection at any time by pressing the button.
Step 6. When working in Advanced mode, selection areas can be processed further using the toolsLinear Retouch and Patch.
More about using these tools can be learned from these examples.
Step 7. Press to start reconstructing the image. The hot key for this operation is Ctrl+R (+R on Macintosh).
If you are not satisfied with the result, you can make correct the selection areas or adjust the algorithm's parameters in the Settings Panel and start processing the image again.
The result will immediately begin to appear after processing has started. If you are sure that the result will not turn out as you would like, you can interrupt processing by pressing Esc or the Cancel button, which is located to the right of the progress bar, then make changes to the parameters and start processing again by pressing .
Note: In Advanced mode you can use Local Run to focus more clearly on individual selections in the image. Press L to quickly access this tool. Processing begins after you click on an individual selected area. You can work step by step, selection by selection, fine-tuning the parameters to restore each selection more effectively. This is useful when you want to remove a large, complex object. If the processing result is not entirely successful, it is possible to undo the change with the / buttons and make a correction (for example, remove unnecessary fragments, change the selection or the algorithm's parameters, apply a patch, etc.)
Step 9. Press the button to apply the result (in the plug-in only). The AKVIS Retoucher plug-in's window closes, and the image is returned to the graphic editor's window.
Result
Step 10. Save the resulting image.
- When using the plug-in:
Open the save file dialog File -> Save As in the graphics editor, type a file name, specify a file format and choose a folder, in which to save the file.
- When using the standalone:
Press the button and in the Save Image dialog window, type a name for the file, select a format (TIFF, BMP, JPEG or PNG), and choose a folder in which to save the file.
Step 11. In the standalone version of AKVIS Retoucher it's possible to print the resulting image. To do this press the button, set the printing options and press the Print button.
Step 12. Close AKVIS Retoucher.
See our video tutorials on YouTube (AKVIS Video Channel). The step-by-step instructions will give you a glimpse into the way it works.
+O in Macintosh) to call the open file dialog and select the desired image file. 
on the Control Panel. Also, you can drag and drop the image into the program's workspace. 
, Exclusion Tool 
, Eraser 
, Selection Bucket 
, and Magic Wand 
.
button. You can then load this selection at any time by pressing the 
button.
and Patch 
. 
to start reconstructing the image. The hot key for this operation is Ctrl+R (
to focus more clearly on individual selections in the image. Press L to quickly access this tool. Processing begins after you click on an individual selected area. You can work step by step, selection by selection, fine-tuning the parameters to restore each selection more effectively. This is useful when you want to remove a large, complex object. If the processing result is not entirely successful, it is possible to undo the change with the 
/
buttons and make a correction (for example, remove unnecessary fragments, change the selection or the algorithm's parameters, apply a patch, etc.)
, Chameleon Brush 
, and Spot Remover 
.
button to apply the result (in the plug-in only). The AKVIS Retoucher plug-in's window closes, and the image is returned to the graphic editor's window.
button and in the Save Image dialog window, type a name for the file, select a format (TIFF, BMP, JPEG or PNG), and choose a folder in which to save the file. 
button, 
— How To Use The Program