NOTE: The bonus tools are not necessarily described in the text of the Hidden Power book. These are mostly made up of tools requested by readers and released for free from the website in the Elements 2 version of the Hidden Power book. The lone exception is the Basic Color Correct tool which is created from procedures described in the book but is not mentioned in the text. For more information on these tools, see the forum on the Hidden Power website: http://www.hiddenelements.com/forum

Tool

Accelerated Effects

One of several tools in this set that will allow the user to control playback speed of the tools. This tool allows you to reset tools to accelerated speed after you have slowed them down playback using Slow Effects, Step & Long Pause or Step & Pause tools.

Basic Color Correct

Leads the user step-by-step through basic color correction with Levels and Color Balance as explained in the Hidden Power book. This was previously released with the Hidden Power Mend tool. Best used with a flattened image.

Fade

Based on Photoshop's Fade tool. This tool creates a layer from the changes you made to the image in the last step of your image correction (e.g., a filter application or any other adjustment) and makes a layer named Fade Control from the result. This allows you to use the layer opacity and mode to blend in the change.

Highlight Mask

Creates a selection that protects the highlights from change. If you create an adjustment layer with the selection active, the mask will protect the highlights. This allows the user to make changes to the shadows in the image with greater influence than the highlights.

Layer Mask

Based on Photoshop's Layer Mask. Allows the user to add a layer mask to any currently active layer that does not already have a mask, with the exception that the Layer Mask cannot be applied to a background layer. This is an alternative to clipping layers as described in The Hidden Power of Photoshop Elements 3. This method may be more convenient for following some step-by-steps in Photoshop books. It is just another form of applying masking to layers.

Select Color

Invokes an interface for Photoshop's Selective Color tool. Allows the user to adjust color based on a preset color range selected from a drop menu. It may be considered an alternative to Hue/Saturation or Color Balance as described in The Hidden Power of Photoshop Elements 3.

Shadow Mask

Creates a selection that protects the shadows from change. If you create an adjustment layer with the selection active, the mask will protect the shadows. This allows the user to make changes to the highlights in the image with greater influence than the shadows.

Slow Effects

One of several tools in this set that will allow the user to control playback speed of the tools. This tool allows you to slow down the playback so that each step of the process is redrawn before moving on to the next step. Reset the speed using the Accelerated Effects tool.

Step & Long Pause

One of several tools in this set that will allow the user to control playback speed of the tools. This tool allows you to slow down the playback so that each step of the process is redrawn and then there is a pause for three seconds before moving on to the next step. Reset the speed using the Accelerated Effects tool.

Step & Pause Effects

One of several tools in this set that will allow the user to control playback speed of the tools. This tool allows you to slow down the playback so that each step of the process is redrawn and then there is a pause for one second before moving on to the next step. Reset the speed using the Accelerated Effects tool.

Trim

Invokes Photoshop's Trim function. Allows the user to trim away/crop an image automatically on any side based on transparency or color in the lower right or upper left of the image. This can be handy for cropping images with drop shadows or frames to make the smallest image dimension without losing image content.

Tool

Add Luminosity

Creates a Luminosity layer for the current image at the top of the layer stack. This allows the user to adjust the image tone separately from the color.

Apply Black

Part 5 of the Hidden Power CMYK separation suite. Should be used after applying the previous 4 steps. Allows the user to generate a custom scheme for adjusting CMY component colors under black. This is similar to gray color removal (GCR) or under color removal (UCR) in Photoshop. The idea is to reduce the possibility of over-inking in dark and unsaturated image areas. The tool allows custom adjustment and allows the user to make further adjustments before committing the change using part 6, Remove Black Color.

CMY Color

Part 2 of the Hidden Power CMYK separation suite. Should be used after applying the previous step. Adds colors layers as filters to the CMY Setup to filter each component for the appropriate color based on RGB processes. The image is prepared for step 3, CMY Separation.

CMY Separation

Part 3 of the Hidden Power CMYK separation suite. Should be used after applying the previous 2 steps. Layer properties are used again to convert CMY color components into their tone representations, then color layers are re-applied to create color on screen. The next step in the process is CMYK Black.

CMY Setup

Part 1 of the Hidden Power CMYK separation suite. Provides a means of quickly setting up the image in preparation for the separation. This step duplicates the background layer into several different layers as preparation for the next step, CMY Color.

CMYK Black

Part 4 of the Hidden Power CMYK separation suite. Should be used after applying the previous 3 steps. Information in the original RGB color is used in a calculation to generate a black component via a process that can be customized. Default settings render a very simple black component separation at the top of the layer stack. This should be followed with part 5, Apply Black.

CMYK Process

Runs through the first 6 parts of the Hidden Power CMYK separation process in a single tool. Can be followed with the files setup steps: Make CMYK Split and Preview CMYK.

Delete Duotone Bar

Removes the duotone bar created by using the Duotone Bar tool. Can be used successfully only after that tool has been applied.

Duotone Bar

Creates a duotone bar preview in an image that has been set up as a separated duotone using Duotone Setup. The bar can be previewed and then quickly removed using the Delete Duotone Bar tool.

Duotone Setup

Creates a duotone separation setup from any RGB image with a Black component and a Spot 1 component. Can be used with the Duotone Bar tool to preview your curve setup.

Make CMYK Split

Part 7 of the Hidden Power CMYK separation suite. Should be used after applying the previous 6 steps, or after the CMYK Process tool. Copies the CMYK color components created by using the 6 parts or the CMYK Process tools into separate images. These components can be saved in a custom DCS file for use.

Preview CMYK

Part 8 of the Hidden Power CMYK separation suite. Should be used after applying the previous 7 steps or after the CMYK Process tool and Make CMYK Split. Allows a preview of CMYK files that have been moved to separate images using Part 7 of the Hidden Power CMYK separation suite, Make CMYK Split.

Preview RGB

Adds color back to RGB components split using the Split RGB Hidden Power tool.

Remove Black Color

Part 6 of the Hidden Power CMYK separation suite. . Should be used after applying the previous 5 steps. This step commits the color removal components created during the Apply Black processes.

Split Luminosity

Makes a separation of any RGB image into Color and Luminosity components. This separation is recommended for adjusting color separately from tone.

Split RGB w-Preview

Separates an image into RGB components and completes the full color preview. This separation can be handy for adjusting color in RGB and applying Hidden Power Curves (see PowerTools1).

Split RGB

Separates an image into RGB components without the preview. To complete the preview, use the Preview RGB tool. This separation is good for splitting out RGB components prior to making calculations, when making custom masks from RGB components, or when converting color files to black-and-white.

Split RGBL

Creates a 4 component separation using RGB layers for color and an additional Luminosity layer to control tone. This allows the user the advantage of correcting color in RGB while keeping tone alterations to the Luminosity channel. It is the best of both worlds when it comes to color separation. It is also a unique Hidden Power hybrid – not a standard color correction separation found anywhere else.

Tool

Blend Mask

A unique Hidden Power tool that creates a mask based on a user-selected range of image tone. Best used with a flattened image or by duplicating a target component temporarily to a new image.

Channel Mix Gray

A unique Hidden Power tool based directly on Photoshop's Channel Mixer, yet providing more flexibility than the channel mixer tool. This tool produces a monochromatic/grayscale result. The tool sets up a channel mixing scenario in the Layers palette and allows the user freedom to combine multiple channels in any combination (Photoshop limits the combination to 3 channels) while simultaneously applying corrections to the channels.

Channel Mix

A unique Hidden Power tool based directly on Photoshop's Channel Mixer, yet providing more flexibility than the channel mixer tool. This can be used on individual components created by separating RGB components in an image with Split RGB w-Preview. The tool sets up a channel mixing scenario in the Layers palette and allows the user freedom to combine multiple channels in any combination (Photoshop limits the combination to 3 channels) while simultaneously applying corrections to the channels.

Clear Black

A unique Hidden Power tool. Creates transparency in the current layer based on tone. Clear Black will make only pure black transparent. Transparency is preview only (adjustments to the layer will continue to affect the transparency calculation) and must be committed with the Commit Transparency tool.

Clear Grayscale

A unique Hidden Power tool. Creates transparency in the current layer based on tone. Clear Grayscale will make only pure black transparent. Transparency is preview only (adjustments to the layer will continue to affect the transparency calculation) and must be committed with the Commit Transparency tool.

Clear White

A unique Hidden Power tool. Creates transparency in the current layer based on tone. Clear Grayscale will make only pure white transparent. Transparency is preview only (adjustments to the layer will continue to affect the transparency calculation) and must be committed with the Commit Transparency tool.

Color Balance

Invokes Photoshop’s Color Balance function. Initiates creation of a Color Balance adjustment layer in the current image. These layers cannot be edited once they are created, but they can be deleted and replaced.

Commit Transparency

A unique Hidden Power tool that works in conjunction with Clear Grayscale, Clear Black and Clear White. This commits transparency so that it is actual (adjustments to the layer will not affect the transparency calculation).

Curves

Invokes Photoshop’s Curve function in a monochromatic mode. Initiates creation of a Curve adjustment layer in the current image. These layers cannot be edited once they are created, but they can be deleted and replaced. This Curve tool can be used with separations (e.g., Split RGB w-Preview) to make adjustments to individual color channels.

Del Selections and Alphas

A unique Hidden Power tool. Purges all saved selections and alpha channels from an image by splitting all the channels and then prompting the user through recompiling the RGB using a merge channels function.

Drop Black

A unique Hidden Power tool that creates actual transparency (the transparency does not need to be committed separately) in gradient between 0 levels (100% black) and 31 levels (87% black). This is used to blend shadow transparency.

History Brush

Created based on Photoshop’s History Brush tool. Should be used in conjunction with the Hidden Power Snapshot tool. Selects the Brush tool and turns on the visibility of the selected layer. This selected layer should be a Snapshot Mask layer created with the Snapshot Hidden Power tool.

Preview Selections

A unique Hidden Power tool. Provides a means of previewing any selection in the current image. The display process creates a temporary preview of any desired saved selection in a new layer, then deletes the layer.

Reduce Color Noise

A unique Hidden Power tool. Separates an image into color and tone components, then allows the user to apply a blur to the color to mediate color noise.

Saturation Masking

A unique Hidden Power tool that allows you to make selection of image areas based on sampled colors and saturation. This is useful for isolating image colors and components in the image quickly.

Sharpen Plus

A unique Hidden Power tool that uses the Hidden Power Sharpen tool and follows by opening the Unsharp Mask filter.

Sharpen

A unique Hidden Power tool that uses layer properties to enhances image sharpness. Based on layer calculations similar to darkroom sharpening. Can be used in conjunction with the Unsharp Mask filter.

Snapshot

A tool based on Photoshop’s Snapshot functionality. This tool creates a new layer and stores a flattened version of the current image grouped with a Snapshot Mask layer. Can be used in conjunction with the History Brush tool.

Transparent Grayscale

A unique Hidden Power tool. Creates a new layer from the current layer that has transparency applied and committed. Transparency in the resulting layer is based on tone. White areas will become completely transparent, and black will be completely opaque; gray areas will vary in transparency based on tone—the lighter the original tone, the greater the transparency of the result.

Tool

Align Horizontal

Invokes the Photoshop Align Horizontal Centers function. Aligns the horizontal center of the contents of all the layers currently linked to the active layer. At least two layers need to be in the linked relationship, and neither can be a Background layer or an adjustment layer.

Align Vertical

Invokes the Photoshop Align Vertical Centers function. Aligns the vertical center of the contents of all the layers currently linked to the active layer. At least two layers need to be in the linked relationship, and neither can be a Background layer or an adjustment layer.

Clear Guides

Invokes the Photoshop Clear Guides function. Removes all guides placed in the image using the Make Guides Hidden Power tool.

Combine

Invokes the Photoshop Combine function. Allows the user to merge multiple path components in a single Shape layer into a single unit as a complex-vector result. Retains vector functionality (unlike the Simplify button).

Delete Clipping Path

Invokes the Photoshop Delete Clipping Path function. Removes an image clipping path from an image. The clipping path must have previously been assigned to the image using Make Clipping Path.

Make Clipping Path

Invokes the Photoshop Make Clipping Path function. Allows users to use a vector shape and convert it to an image clipping path. Most often used to convert effective image boundaries from rectangular shapes to any other shape.

Make Guides

Invokes the Photoshop Make Guides function. Opens the Create Guides dialog which allows the user to create a horizontal or vertical guide. Once created, guides can be moved using the Move tool. Guides can be removed in bulk using the Clear Guides tool.

Save Slice

A unique Hidden Power tool that enables Elements users to create image slices for use with HTML tables.

Shape From Selection

Invokes the Photoshop Shape from Selection function. Changes any selection into vector outlines.

Shape From Text

Invokes the Photoshop Make Work Path function. Changes any text layer into vector outlines.

Space Horizontal

Invokes the Photoshop Distribute Horizontal Centers function. Distributes the horizontal center of the contents of all the layers currently linked to the active layer. At least three layers need to be in the linked relationship, and none of these can be a Background layer or an adjustment layer.

Space Vertical

Invokes the Photoshop Align Vertical Centers function. Distributes the vertical center of the contents of all the layers currently linked to the active layer. At least three layers need to be in the linked relationship, and none of these can be a Background layer or an adjustment layer.