Sharpening Effects¶
Enhance image clarity and detail using unsharp masking or simple sharpening algorithms.
Parameters¶
usm¶
Unsharp mask intensity for professional-grade sharpening.
Type: float
Range: 0.5 - 5.0
Default: 1.0 when using unsharp mask
usmrad¶
Unsharp mask radius controlling the width of sharpening effect.
Type: float
Range: 1.0 - 10.0
Default: 2.0 when using unsharp mask
sharp¶
Simple sharpening algorithm for basic enhancement.
Type: float
Range: 1.0 - 100.0
Default: None
Usage¶
Unsharp Mask Sharpening¶
Professional sharpening with controlled intensity and radius.Simple Sharpening¶
Basic sharpening enhancement.Combined Sharpening¶
Apply both unsharp mask and simple sharpening (advanced use).Sharpening Methods¶
Unsharp Mask (Recommended)¶
The unsharp mask technique provides precise control over sharpening:
- Lower USM values (0.5-2.0): Subtle enhancement
- Higher USM values (2.0-5.0): Strong sharpening
- Smaller radius (1.0-3.0): Fine detail enhancement
- Larger radius (3.0-10.0): Broader edge enhancement
Simple Sharpening¶
Direct sharpening algorithm suitable for: - Quick enhancement without fine control - Batch processing scenarios - Simple workflows
Use Cases¶
- Photography: Enhance detail in portraits and landscapes
- Product Images: Improve sharpness for e-commerce
- Print Preparation: Compensate for print softening
- Thumbnail Generation: Maintain detail at smaller sizes
- Upscaling: Enhance clarity after size increases
Best Practices¶
For Different Image Types¶
- Portraits:
usm=1.0&usmrad=2.0- Gentle enhancement - Landscapes:
usm=2.0&usmrad=1.5- Detail enhancement - Products:
usm=2.5&usmrad=2.0- Crisp definition - Text/Graphics:
sharp=30.0- Strong edge enhancement
Quality Considerations¶
- Apply sharpening after resizing operations
- Higher quality source images respond better to sharpening
- Avoid over-sharpening which creates artifacts
- Test with your specific image content