This Action splits a layer into high and low frequency layers. It can be applied even if the layer is a smart Object. This action automates the first step in the Frequency Separation editing workflow that can typically take several minutes (you could rejoin the movie below at the 6-minute mark). The Frequency Separation workflow is typically used in skin retouching projects, but can be used for a broader range of retouching tasks such as cleaning up studio backgrounds etc. This Action requires subsequent manual steps and does NOT automate the entire retouching workflow. NOTE > If you are looking for a plugin that automates 95% of a skin retouching workflow you may want to explore plugins such as Imagenomic Portraiture
My Frequency Separation action pauses at the Gaussian Blur dialog so that you select the appropriate amount of blur radius that will remove most of the surface detail. This setting varies depending on the resolution of the image and the size of the fine detail. Choose a setting that removes most of the surface texture and leaves only the broader shapes and colours of the image and then click OK. After the action has finished you will NOT see any visible difference to the image you are editing until you edit the layers that the action has created.
After the action is played the high and low frequency layers are placed inside a layer group and are named. The action also creates a Snapshot in the History panel so that you can return, with a single click, to the step in your editing workflow prior to applying the action.
Download the Action HERE
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