To adjust levels in Clip Studio Paint, you'll use the Level Correction tool to modify the brightness and contrast of a layer. Here's how:
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Select the desired layer: Make sure the layer you want to adjust is selected in the Layers panel.
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Access Level Correction: Go to the Edit menu, then select Tonal Correction, and finally choose Level Correction.
(Edit > Tonal Correction > Level Correction) -
Understanding the Level Correction Dialog:
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Histogram: The Level Correction dialog box will display a histogram representing the tonal range of your selected layer. The histogram shows the distribution of pixels at different brightness levels.
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Input Levels: These sliders control the overall brightness and contrast.
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Black Point Slider (Left): Moving this slider to the right darkens the image by remapping darker tones to pure black.
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Gray Point Slider (Middle): This slider adjusts the midtones. Moving it to the left brightens the midtones, while moving it to the right darkens them.
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White Point Slider (Right): Moving this slider to the left brightens the image by remapping lighter tones to pure white.
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Output Levels: These sliders control the range of tones that will be displayed. Generally, you'll adjust the Input Levels more often.
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Black Output Slider (Left): Controls the darkest possible tone.
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White Output Slider (Right): Controls the brightest possible tone.
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Adjusting the Levels:
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Analyze the histogram to identify areas where the tonal range is lacking. For example, if there are gaps on the left side of the histogram, you might move the Black Point slider to the right to add more contrast in the darker tones.
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Experiment with the sliders to achieve the desired effect. Watch the image as you adjust the sliders to see the changes in real-time.
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Use the Gray Point slider to fine-tune the overall brightness.
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Preview and Apply:
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Preview: Check the preview box to see the effect of your adjustments before applying them.
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OK: Click OK to apply the level correction.
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Cancel: Click Cancel to discard your changes.
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By using the Level Correction tool effectively, you can significantly improve the tonal balance and visual impact of your artwork in Clip Studio Paint. Adjusting levels is a fundamental technique for enhancing contrast, correcting exposure issues, and achieving a desired mood or style.
