Creating Vignettes

[Alan9940]

Over the years, I haven't used PL all that much but I've started using it more because it runs so well on my mid-2015 Macbook Pro. I've done a search about creating vignettes, but couldn't find any help that I could follow.

Ideally, I'd like to be able to create vignettes where and how I want them. To start, I was using the circle tool with a very, VERY soft edge, then inverting and using a curves adjustment layer. However, even with the edge set to 400 - 500 on the tool settings panel the transition isn't all that soft. I've tried creating a freehand vignette with the lasso tool but, again, I can't get a soft enough edge such that it's not particularly visible. Can anyone provide me with some simple steps that even I could follow for creating a simple, wide transitioning vignette? Is it possible to create a more organic vignette?

Thanks for any help provided.

[shijan]

just create vector shape or draw 16 bit grayscale layer, add blur and set layer mode to "Clipping". You may need to add few blur layers because maximum possible size of blur is rather small. See attached PLD example.

Note that Lasso soft edge and brush soft edge are 8-bit only, so if you use large soft edge sizes and apply some color correction, you can see banding. But if you blur 16 bit gray image and use it as mask, it use true 16 bit bit depth and have no banding problems.

Screen Shot 2025-06-14 at 3.13.34 AM.jpg

[Alan9940]

Thanks for the help, but I guess PL is beyond my comprehension; and, I've used PS for 25 years! Anyway, I tried to duplicate your pld file, but my result isn't what you showed. The main issue with mine, I believe, is the group layer at the top of the stack. The thumbnail of mine looks, basically, like yours but the blending mode is grayed out and set to "Normal" vs "Pass Through" on yours. To make this layer, I did the following:

1. Highlighted the vector shape and gaussian blur layers, then right-click and choose "Group Marked Layers."
2. Select Layer>Clipping Layer>Clip Previous
3. Left-click the little box with what looks like scissors

What I'm left with looks very close to your example, but I don't see any way to invert this layer and I still have the "Pass Through" blending mode problem. It seems like I really don't know how to properly create the clipping layer at the top of the stack. I've attached my version, if you'd like to review it.

Thank you.

myvignette.zip

[Alan9940]

After another hour or so playing around, I finally found the invert option in the Layers Attributes panel which made my duplication effort look like your example. Great! I, also, figured out that "Pass Through" is assumed, by default, for a group and is likely the only blending option allowed on a group layer. Therefore, the blending option dropdown is grayed out, since you're not allowed to change it to anything else.

But, then I tried these exact steps on a real image and as you can see by the attached example I didn't get a vignette. So, there is a crucial step that I'm obviously missing here when creating these layers. Please tell me where I'm going wrong as it doesn't seem that what I'm trying to do should be this hard.

I had to reduce the document size small enough to fit within the max attachment parameter of 128KB. I hope it's large enough for you to clearly see what I'm getting when trying this exercise on an actual image.

Thanks, again.

-Alan

Vig-Test2.zip

[shijan]

I just explained global logic for vignette. In your exact situation just add black background under that blurred mask and group everything.
P.S. Instead "Select Layer>Clipping Layer>Clip Previous" it is way simpler just right click on layer eye icon and change layer mode like explained here https://www.pl32.com/forum3/viewtopic.php?t=6443 (In last beta versions that menu looks slightly different)

Screen Shot 2025-06-15 at 4.38.26 AM.jpg

Instead of multilayered structure with blur and masks you also may use circle vector gradient with transparency point color. Use Edit Vector Points Tool to enable gradient on screen controls to adjust gradient size and proportions. If you use more than 2 points it make sense switch to Cubic interpolation to make it look smoother.

Screen Shot 2025-06-15 at 4.50.40 AM.jpg

Screen Shot 2025-06-15 at 4.47.27 AM.jpg

[Alan9940]

Thank you so much for all your help.

By following your first example, I was able to fix what I had previously posted. However, it was your second example that I'm going to use going forward as its straightforward and simple. As an exercise for myself, I played around with modifying the gradient in the Color Editor and edit/transform of the vector path. Very powerful stuff there!

Question: When transforming the vector points, can I bend the connecting line like I can with the pen tool in PS? It seems that once I've got the "box" around two vector points, my only options are: moving things, rotating, warping into a parallelogram. These options would allow me to be slightly more organic about how a vignette appears and its position in the image, but I don't see anyway to be kind of "freehand" about it. Isn't this the way it always goes? Folks always want more?!

[shijan]

You can convert vector gradient layer to Placeholder and change shape with Distort Tool.

[shijan]

You can also use Layer Styles to create vignette. Shadow Inside may looks logical, but it is 8-bit only and size is limited (old unfixed problems).
Instead you may use Outline Inside with Gradient and disabled Show Planar.

Screen Shot 2025-06-16 at 11.29.39 AM.jpg

Screen Shot 2025-06-16 at 11.30.30 AM.jpg

[Alan9940]

Perfect!! So much to learn with this software. Thanks, again, for all your help.

[Herbert123]

Another nice option is to use an adjustment layer (such as the hue-saturation-brightness one) with a simple gradient mask. That way we can control saturation and even colour hue change in the vignette.

2025-06-23 20_36_53-#1.png

vignette.jpg

Download the sample (overcooked) PLD file here:
https://gofile.io/d/VhuRgK