Retouch Tool

Is it just me or does the retouch tool not work very well at all.
Iv watched the tutorial videos and it all seems as simple as photoshop, but when i do a retouch on say a pimple on someones cheek (so plenty of surrounding skin of the same texture to sample off) i just get a blurred dot?
When i turn off 'automatically choose source' it improves and looks relatively good enough i suppose. But not as good as photoshop.
Also 'detect edges' has never worked for me, gives me that annoying blurred dot again right across the edge.
When i do this in photoshop its a dream, automatic samples are spot on, and because i can do a selection edges arnt an issue at all either. However id rather not have to export to photoshop for every image i need to spot heal. (ie: exporting 30 photos of the same person with a pimple is not a quick or streamlined process).
Am i doing something wrong?
I did a photoshoot of a bodybuilder a while ago with some bad chest acne, and it took me weeks to export each photo to photoshop just to do a spot heal on a few pimples. (100 photos) if i gave him the resulting photos from aperture healing he would have pumbled me cause there would be big blur dots all over him lol!
It nearly did my head in...
This is realy the only thing i dont like about aperture at the moment, but i searched and found no one else having this issue so thought maybe im doing something wrong?

In THIS particular case, I would suggest lowering the opacity (start at .8 and see how it looks) to allow some of the original texture to remain...
In my experience, the retouch/clone tool takes practice and experimentation before predictable results are possible. All of the tool options work together and trial and error will help you reach the level of comfort that you have with the PS tools. For example, I have found that the "detect edges" process works best when the edge is almost at a 90º angle to the path of the cursor...otherwise its kinda lame...but useable.
So, I don't know if my post will be helpful, but I have found the tool to be quite useful for my needs (portraits, commercial), but only after practice and experimentation. In any case, it is MUCH faster than round-tripping to PS with all that entails....
good luck
cheers,
david

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IPhoto 11 retouch tool: grab not working

Using iPhoto's retouch tool, I want to grab some pixels from one area and put them into another. Apple support instructions say:
...you can “grab” pixels from another part of the photo and apply them to the blemish. Press the Option key while you click an area that has the texture you want, then do step 5.
Yet when I try to do this, I don't get a the perfect replacement of Option-keyed pixels over the pixels-I-wish-to-obliterate. I still get the usual Retouch tool smeary blend, which is not how to get rid of stray blonde hairs on a black background.
What am I doing wrong? For those who use Photoshop, I'm looking for iPhoto's eyedropper.
The problem may be in timing the pressing of the Option key while clicking. I use a Trackpad, if that makes a difference.

Nope, not confused. I'm asking about an iPhoto feature that Apple's help says exists (quoted in my original message).
I'm asking for help/clarification on precisely how iPhoto's retouch grab feature operates, since using the Option + Click isn't working for me. I used the Photoshop analogy for further clarity; apologies if it only obfuscated.

Using the retouch tool, how do you make it change color? The old iPhoto one did, this one seems to be flesh-tone only, which is not how I need it to be. In old iPhoto, used the local color to blend, it was great.

Using the retouch tool, how do you make it change color? The old iPhoto one did, this one seems to be flesh-tone only, which is not how I need it to be. In old iPhoto, used the local color to blend, it was great.

I don't know which old version you're referring to but iPhoto 6's, 7's and 8's retouch tool works exactly the same as iPhoto 9's. The color of the enhance tool's area while applying is a light brown color but the retouch works on any color using the surrounding colors as a basis.
During retouching:
After retouching:
OT

Aperture 3 update. Why is there still no eraser for the retouch tool?

Perhaps I'm missing something, but: Why is there still no eraser for the retouch tool?
I realize you can delete retouch strokes, but they are in linear order so you often have to delete useful ones to go far enough back to get the one that you've decided no longer works.
I would rather have the ability to erase strokes back to the original image, much like the way the History Brush works in Photoshop, and indeed the eraser tool works in many other Aperture bricks.
Example, I retouch an eye, and then move on to retouch an ear. Then I decide I don't like the eye brush strokes. In order to remove one stroke on the eye retouch, I have to delete all the successful brush strokes I've made to the ear (i.e. those that came after the stroke I wish to remove from the eye). This is needlessly complicated and inefficient.
Many of other bricks in Aperture have an eraser tool to selectively remove brushstrokes. Why not the retouch tool?
Also, many other bricks in Aperture allow for stacking or layering bricks of the same adjustment with different brush choices. Why not the retouch tool?
Am I missing something?

We are just users here. Feature Enhancement requests need to be made via Apple's official approved channel. You can get there from within Aperture by clicking "Aperture➞Provide Aperture Feedback".
Retouching (and cloning) involves not just applying a transformation to the selected pixels, but basing that transformation on _other, non-contiguous_ pixels sampled from the image. This leads me to think that there may be intractable technical problems setting up the kind of workflow you propose.

Image won't export after using Aperture 2's new retouching tools

After I used the new retouching tools: clone and repair in Aperture 2 on a small jpeg image from a Canon point and shoot, I tried to export my image to desktop. Although the exporting "wheel" indicated the image was being exported it showed nothing after 10 minutes and I had to cancel the export. After I "Removed Adjustments" it exported in a flash. Other images that had not been retouched and retouched RAW images exported just fine. I have reported a bug to Apple. Any suggestions?

I had a similar problem with the Aperture trial until I deleted my Aperture library and re-installed the trial. I had previously (about a year ago) installed an earlier version Aperture trial and I might have still had the old library file on my hard drive. I wonder if the Aperture 2 trial upgraded the old library and corrupted it. After I reinstalled, export is still slow when retouch is used, but it works. If you don't have much invested in your Aperture library, you might try backing it up, deleting it and creating a new one. I'm just speculating, though.
Message was edited by: Cyrtolite

Iphoto retouch tool issues

Hello,
I've been using Iphoto for the past year for my photos. I use the retouch tool often. This time, I decided to try something new and press the command button down and use it to drag pixels from another area. My problem now is that when I go to certain photos in my new album...I get a "zoom" circle with what looks to be little black scratches throughout. So my photos when I zoom and try to retouch....look as if I am adding dark spots or stranges spots to my new photographs. I cannot fix this. Please help me! I'm hoping there is a way I can fix this. Thank you.

Make a temporary, backup copy (if you don't already have a backup copy) of the library and try the following:
1 - delete the iPhoto preference file, com.apple.iPhoto.plist, that resides in your
User/Home()/Library/ Preferences folder.
2 - delete iPhoto's cache file, Cache.db, that is located in your
User/Home()/Library/Caches/com.apple.iPhoto folder.
Click to view full size
3 - launch iPhoto and try again.
NOTE: If you're moved your library from its default location in your Home/Pictures folder you will have to point iPhoto to its new location when you next open iPhoto by holding down the Option key when launching iPhoto. You'll also have to reset the iPhoto's various preferences.
If that fails then a reinstall of iPhoto is indicated. To do so you'll have to delete the current application and all files with "iPhoto" in the file name with either a .PKG or .BOM extension that reside in the HD/Library/Receipts folder and from the /var/db/receipts/ folder,
Click to view full size
Then install iPhoto from the disk it came on originally.
OT

Retouch tool not working with grayscale images

Upgraded to both Snow Leopard and Aperture 2.1.4 yesterday. Today I notice that the retouch tool doesn't effect black and white images. Still works fine with color, but not BW. Don't know if it's SL, 2.1.4, or both, but really annoying, as much of my photography is BW negs, and almost every scan requires some retouching for dust, hairs, etc.
Is this a know issue that's being addressed? Tried merely reverting to Aperture 2.1.3, but that installer doesn't execute --- says "Aperture 2.0 or later required for this update", then quits.
Jeff.

Having a similar issue here too. Found this thread after doing a search as I've just started editing some old B/W images I had scanned ages ago.
Slightly different here though, I'm only seeing this on some images, not all. All my images were scanned at a similar time, on the same scanner, using similar settings when scanned (greyscale, jpg etc.). Some of the B/W ones will clone/repair fine, others do nothing.
I can see where they differ too. When they work, you can see the area smudging as the tool is drawn over the defect. On images were it doesn't work, the defect is visible through the repair marker.
These aren't mission critical luckily, as they're only some family photos I'm tarting up.
However, surely such tools in Aperture are just a bonus. It is essentially a media manager, and is clearly stated that more advanced editing will need an external app.
It is a shame that these don't work too well though. Like some other comments, I also seem to find other tools almost useless - sharpening and noise reduction to name a couple.

Retouching tool question

Question about retouching from an ACR greenhorn:
When viewing an image at 100% in the retouching window, how do I scroll around the image to inspect it for blemishes? The retouching window doesn't have scroll bars, and there don't appear to be hotkeys for reaching the hand tool from the retouching window.
I can of course click on the hand tool, move the image, then click back on the retouching tool, but this has two disadvantages. One, it is very clumsy. Two, when ACR reactivates the retouching tool the toolbar obscures the top edge of the image, making it impossible to correct blemishes hidden by the toolbar.
Any suggestions?
Thank you,
Andrew Slayman
P.S. I am using ACR 4.4.1 with PS CS3 on Windows XP.

Brilliant. I am impressed that you follow these forums yourself. Many thanks. --Andrew

Cannot use retouch tool

I'm having trouble editing some jpegs in iPhoto. Every tool works perfectly except the retouch tool. The instructions say click the tool, then drag the crosshair over the photo. Nothing.
So far as I can tell, there is nothing unusual about the files. They are not write protected. I can crop, enhance, adjust contrast etc., but not retouch.

I find that the retouch tool works better if you zoom the photo. Use the slider on the lower right to enlarge the photo. I usually slide it at least 1/3 of the way to the right. Also, if retouch seems to be working, but not well, just click 'Done' even if you are not, then re-edit the photo, and you may find that it works better.
Finally, sometimes to remove the little 'spot' you want retouch to do, you have to move the cursor in a circular motion. And, even then, sometimes it seems as if the spot won't be rubbed out until the cursor is either further above it or below it.
I have to say this is and has been a real pain since iphoto5. It worked much better in iP4!

After using various retouch tools, Aperture often returns to the original image and I can't get my retouched image back....any ideas?

After using various retouch tools on an image, Aperture often (but not always) spontaneously returns to the orginal image and I have to start all over again.....this seems to happen most often after I use the clone tool. Is this a new bug or what? It just started happening a few weeks ago.

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Changing the attributes of all music files to unhidden took care of everything.

Retouch Tool in Aperture 2 producing a negative image

Both the repair and clone tools, when applied to scans of B&W prints in TIFF format from a flatbed scanner, are turning my positive B&W image into a negative image. The transition occurs when the adjustment "takes." The only way to get my version back to positive is to CTRL-Z and undo the adjustment. No problem with scans of color images scanned in color but with the color removed via the Monochrome Mixer.
Can't find anyone in the archives with this problem. Any ideas?
I'm running Aperture 2 under Leopard with both fully updated.
Terry

Select the red eye tool.
It is usually good to zoom into 100% - use the Z key.
Adjust the radius slider to only the size of the red-eye you want to remove - maybe a little tiny bit bigger.
Click on the eye - it should leave a yellow circle bullseye thing over the eye that you can see or adjust when the red eye tool is selected.
Repeat.
RB

Retouch tool adjustments not saving

Had this problem in previous version of Aperture (after it worked it just stopped working!).
Changes I make using the repair tool to Repair or Clone are not showing. When I make a repair, there is a long delay with "Loading" showing and when that operations is complete, there is no change to the image.

I am having this exact same problem since updating Aperture, iPhoto, and Mountain Lion in the past week. I notice this problem was originally posted two years ago, however. HELP????

Retouch tools appear to have stopped working??

Hi,
For some reason suddenly, I can no longer repair or clone to tidy up images. I used to do this without a problem. Anyone else ever experienced this? Any suggestions?
Megan

HI Megan,
By now you have probably solved the problem, but just in case something to check is if Quick Preview is turned on.
Try tapping "P" on the key board and seeing if you can now access the tools.
If the histogram goes from being grey to being colored then you are back in business.
Or go to View>Quick Preview to see if it has a check mark. Uncheck and all should be well.
If not, then at least you have taken one possibility of the troubleshooting checklist.
Good Luck
DJ

CS3 Raw Retouching & Red Eye Tool Missing

So I've been using the CS3 Beta and love it but when I open up my Raw images eager to use the retouching tool to get rid of dust from the sensor, the tool isn't there, nor is the red eye tool. It looks like its the raw interface from CS2 even though I opened the raw files from CS3. Any ideas on what's going wrong?

"I can see that you can set the destination for all the shots at once, but don't you then have to go through all shots and individually tailor the source for each? "
No...here's the logic-as long as you don't actually MOVE the source, each image will have the source auto-selected while healing the destination. Pretty swift actually (thanks T & Z). If you DO move the source, then the moved source is used in all the images...so there's two way to play it. Let the auto-source select work and all the resulting images will be auto-source on a per image basis or select a custom source and all the images will then be manually set.
And, it work very well. It's conceivable that some images may need individual source selections moved...I've found it's useful to review images after the healing has been distributed to multiple images.
I've also found it's useful to segregate what is a repeating spot from a one image tweak. So, if you are shooting portraits for example, unless you have registration, the odds are that blemishes will need to be done on a shot by shot basis not done to one and distributed...since the odds of the blemish aligning frame to frame is nil.
So, do the shared healing amongst all the images where the same spot is in registration and then go back image by image for specific touches.

Aperture changing pixel size after using Retouch/Repair/Clone tool?

I apologize if this is a stupid question - I'm new to using Aperture and have a rudimentary knowledge (at best) about the mechanics of Aperture.
I use the retouch tool on a portion of my photo, and the pixel size is reduced. I want to maintain the original 12.0megapixels. How do I work with the photo without changing the pixel size - or, how can I restore the orginal pixel size after editing the photo?
I've also cropped the photo, constraining the aspect ratio at 4:5.
Here is the file info before I start working with it:
And after using the retouch, this happens:

Frank Caggiano wrote:
Again this is not normal Aperture behavior, this doesn;t occur on my system. If you could post the screen shot of the adjustments it might help.
Sure - Here is a sample image. It is not a RAW file. It appears to be happening in every image in the library. I made a new library and it appears to be happening in the same pattern. I'm in Aperture, opened a photo which was imported directly into Aperture from camera.
Now, I'm going to crop to 4:5 ratio - from what I'm hearing, crop should not effect the 12.0 mp?
Notice how the MP is now 10.6?
Now, I'll apply auto enhance:
In this case, it looks like cropping does effect the pixel size. It's a different image from what I was using before.
Now, I use the retouch tool:
The MPs are now 9.7 - it keeps getting smaller and smaller!
When you crop, is it normal for the MPs to reduce?
Thanks so much for your help, I'm so frustrated.

Retouch Tool

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