TK8: New features list and videos

As mentioned in the previous post, launching the TK8 plugin encountered some major issues. They have been taken care of now and the sales page and download server are working properly. Thank you for your patience during this unfortunate event. I’m staying caught up on email for the most part now and the feedback has been mostly positive. I’m happy to hear that the transition from TK7 was straightforward for most users and that the interface, especially the Multi-Mask module, is easier to navigate. As a reminder, the discount codes sent to previous customers are good until October 22, and there is also a site-wide 25% discount on everything using the code: TK25off

There are a lot of new and improved features in TK8. I wanted to take it well beyond what TK7 offered. I know no one will use ALL the buttons and functions in TK8, but hopefully there will be enough favorites for everyone to make the plugin an important tool in their Photoshop workflow.

It would nearly impossible to cover all the new features in detail in one blog post, but I did want to provide a list so readers have an idea of what to look for and what to expect. Below this list are several videos (in different languages) that review some of the new features.

All modules

• Tooltips are persistent unless turned off, but even turned off, holding down the “ALT” key on Windows or the “option” key on Mac displays them when moving the mouse over a button.
• New selection indicators are more prominent, easier to see, and less likely to be overlooked.
• Improved error message alerts for when user does something that could cause an unexpected result, and these are now translated into different languages.
• More icons/fewer words.

Multi-Mask module (replaces TK7 Go and RapidMask modules)

• New smart-phone-like interface for accessing different types of masks and functions.
• Color-wheel-based color grading (like in Camera Raw).
• Edge masks that find edges in the image.
• Edit selections as masks.
• Workflow extras which include sketch actions and gradient actions.
• One-click add-adjustment-layer buttons at the bottom of the main interface for quickly making favorite adjustment layers.
• Layer Mask mode with changeable luminosity masks (Lights, Darks, and Midtones) for quickly testing the effect of different masks on the image.
• 2-UP mode also returns to Layer Mask mode.
• Real-time Levels and Curves modification for any mask.
• Mask calculator has been moved to the output section and has bigger buttons.
• “Paint Color” output option for adding color to the image through a mask selection using Linear Light blend mode for the layer being painted.

Combo/Cx modules

• Many new buttons: Linear Light blend mode at 15% fill opacity (replaces Hard Light) • Merge Visible is now Stamp Visible (CTRL+click on Windows/command+click on Mac moves it to the top of the layer stack) • Select Subject • Select Sky • Feather Selection • Expand Selection • Contract Selection • Free Transform • Export As… • Gradient and Solid Color adjustment layer options added to the Adjustment Layers menu.
• New “TK” actions: Fill Transparent • Align+Focus • Fill Edges check box • CTRL/command+click on the Clarity action runs it without the result being turned into a smart object.
• Expanded web-sharpening options including presets, file-naming, and file-saving.
• Add your personal watermark/logo with ease.
• Smart object indicator visually specifies the contents of smart objects.
• New, easier method to add user and button actions to the module.
• Ability to add unlimited user actions to the User Actions list.
• Preference available to NOT close “TK” and “User Actions” menus automatically.  This makes it possible to use Combo or Cx module with an alternate interface (TK or User actions) and thereby use both modules with one set to an alternate interface.

New feature videos

Several of the affiliates I work with have recorded videos discussing the new TK8 features. I’ve linked to them below. Some are in languages besides English.

Sean Bagshaw is basically the Dean of Luminosity Masks. He probably knows the TK8 plugin better than anyone (except maybe me) and has the skills to explain it so that photographers get the most out of it. His TK8 Video Guide is the definitive guide to TK8 for the English-speaking world. In the video below, he reviews his five favorite new TK8 features. Sean’s YouTube channel has a TK Quick Tips playlist.

Dave Kelly is basically an enthusiastic lab assistant at Professor Bagshaw’s Luminosity Mask University. Dave does a weekly series (“TK Friday”) where he focuses on explaining different features in the TK8 plugin and applying them to various images. Dave’s actually a student of many different photography techniques and enjoys sharing what he learns with others. In the video below, he too looks at some of his favorite TK8 features. Dave’s YouTube channel is here.

I’m not a big video maker, but I usually try to make one when updates are released. Below is the video I made for Sean’s, Antonio Prado’s, and André Distel’s video guide courses. It goes over where to find the new features in the TK8 plugin.

Antonio Prado is the Spanish world’s leading expert in everything TK. He too has a very deep understanding of the different pixel-based masks made possible by the TK8 plugin and explains everything in his Videoguía TK8 series. In the video below, in Spanish, he goes over the new features, and only he could cover this much territory in such a short amount of time.

Rafael Coutinho was a major source of ideas for TK8. He was constantly asking for new features and refinements, and they were all good, so I kept adding them. It’s great to have someone like this to prod me into constantly making a better product. In his video below, in French, he also covers the new features in TK8.

Isabella Tabacchi has been working with and teaching about luminosity masks for many years. In the video below, in Italian, she goes over the differences between the TK7 panel and TK8 plugin.

I hope you enjoy the new TK8 plugin.