Keep 32-Bit image w/o losing quality??

#1

This may be rhetorical question since I couldn’t find any answers from google or else where. But here my try on asking you guys…

Here, I have 32-bit .hdr files that I’d like to edit in photoshop, Unfortunately, in Photoshop, with mode at 32-bit, several tool would be limited such as magic wand tool, gradient and etc.
Only way to get those tool is to degrade mode to 16 or 8 bit, So Once I degrade 32-bit image, I’d loose precision quality which I do not want it to happen…

Are/Is there a way, I could just preserve 32-bit image w/o losing quality and that I could use any of PS tool to edit them??

P.S. is it possible for 8-bit image converted into 32-bit image (Increasing quality??)

#2

Hi, for the first part, what is it exactly that you want to do to a 32 bit image? They are rarely pretty to look at until tone mapped to a 16 or 8 bit version. If you need to keep it 32 bit I am assuming you are using for lighting a 3d scene right?

For the second part, no. and don’t be fooled, image quality is not about bits. The more bits, the more capability in editing, if there is alot of retouching, then 16 bit will do nicely.

Hope that helps some.
-Jim

#3

As long as your editing does not create a step that causes the image to go above white then 16-bits is a lot to work with.

If your editing DOES create a step that goes above white, then here is the difference in a short youtube clip

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=icchwBKmZ_w

and more on the topic…

http://www.digitalartform.com/archives/2009/03/32-bit_composit.html

I don’t know of any way to get Photoshop to give you all the tools you want in 32-bits, and simply converting from 8- to 16- or 32-bits does not in itself create quality.

#4

3dj and Jfrancis… Thank you for useful information.

About “Quality”… It’s wrong word… The correct word should be “Exposure”… After researching for entire weekend I finally found what I am looking for. 8, 16, 32 bit does “White Blance” helping removing noisy image/photo from cheap or low quality camera thats all. But it also help to what I’ve been looking for.

Well, my research is all based on IBL “Lighting up the scene” in 3d environment, not only that but also allow quality image to display on a glossy object, based on glossy material. As far as I know, I have found few solution.

If I wish to turn 8 or 16 bit images, .hdr or high exposure level… I’d first have to create 8 duplicate images, and set each images on different exposure level before I could merge them all into HDR using Photoshop Merge to HDR tool… AMAZING TOOL

For “Already” 32-bit image…If I wish to do retouch, edit, composite and etc…I could do it on 32 bit mode…But again, some tools are not available such as Magic wand, clone, fill bucket, gradient and etc on 32-bit mode. I don’t know why, (I wish to know) But, I guess all because of white balance that PS cannot calculate… perhaps! But… to be able to use all of PS tools, I d have to degrade 32-bit image into 16 bit the problem is, it will lose exposure setting.

However, I found a solution on preserving exposure level after degrade/upgrade from 32-bit to 16 bit mode to 32 bit mode again…And the solution is…

-Decrease exposure to -2 or more until image get real dark except for white part. (Memorize exposure value)
-Degrade mode to 16 bit.
-Increase Exposure until you can see everything on image
-do retouching, edit, composite and etc.
-After done, again decrease exposure as following first step.
-Upgrade mode to 32-bit
-Increase exposure again until you can see everything

I can’t guaranteed it’d be success for everyone, I just tested it, and it seem to work…Honestly, onlt 85% perfect :slight_smile:

So thanks guys for your help, thats some information I need to look at.

#5

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