Converting from Mode-8 bit to Mode 16-bit and back – please help

BF
Posted By
Brian_Felsen
Apr 25, 2004
Views
405
Replies
5
Status
Closed
Hi,
I use Extensis Mask Pro 3 for masking when I use lots of layers on an image; I like to composite. It doesn’t work with 16-bit and is grayed-out. I capture from my camera’s Raw using Capture 1 Pro.

My question: using Capture 1, should I convert my RAW images to 16-bit, open them in Photoshop, and, when I need Mask Pro 3, change Mode (in Photoshop) to 8-bit, use Mask Pro 3, and then change it back to 16-bit, or should I just do the conversion to 8-bit and keep it in 8-bit? I’d rather use the higher bandwidth of 16-bit, but if my flipping back and forth in Photoshop in order to use Mask Pro 3 is causing degradation, I’d rather stay in 8-bit.
Thanks!
Brian
Related Tags
16-bit back bit conversion help mode

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HK
Harron_K._Appleman
Apr 25, 2004
Brian,

When you convert from 8- to 16-bit, the additional data is created using some form of interpolation. You’ll never get back the precise information you had in your 16-bit original.

Moreover, if you flip back and forth enough times, rounding errors introduced during conversion may eventually cause noticeable degradation.

The standard advice is to work in 16-bit mode for as long as possible and stay in 8-bit once you’ve downconverted. You might be able to "get away" with a couple of back-and-forths, but there is no advantage to doing so.

=-= Harron =-=
MR
Michael Riddle
Apr 25, 2004
The way you do it (if you have CS) is to make a copy of your 16-bit file, convert it to 8-bit and then use Mask Pro on the 8 bit version. When you have your mask, convert it to a selection and then, using the Retuangular Marquee tool set to New Selection, drag it into the 16-bit file, pressing the Shift key before releasing the mouse button. You can then use the selection to create the mask which was generated in Mask Pro.

I hope this helps,

Mike

On Sun, 25 Apr 2004 11:59:53 -0700,
wrote:

Hi,
I use Extensis Mask Pro 3 for masking when I use lots of layers on an image; I like to composite. It doesn’t work with 16-bit and is grayed-out. I capture from my camera’s Raw using Capture 1 Pro.

My question: using Capture 1, should I convert my RAW images to 16-bit, open them in Photoshop, and, when I need Mask Pro 3, change Mode (in Photoshop) to 8-bit, use Mask Pro 3, and then change it back to 16-bit, or should I just do the conversion to 8-bit and keep it in 8-bit? I’d rather use the higher bandwidth of 16-bit, but if my flipping back and forth in Photoshop in order to use Mask Pro 3 is causing degradation, I’d rather stay in 8-bit.
Thanks!
Brian
BF
Brian_Felsen
Apr 26, 2004
Harron –
Thank you so much! Will stay in 8-bit on this one and hope Extensis moves to 16-bit at some point. Thanks once again –
Best,
Brian
MM
Mike_Marketello
Apr 26, 2004
Does CS offer more options & filters with 16 bit than PS7?
CC
Chris_Cox
Apr 26, 2004
Mike – yes, that’s one of the major feature items for PS CS, as you saw when reading the box, or the web pages, the reviews, etc.

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