Introducing
the BW Workflow Pro
Plugin.
Taking black and white conversion to the next
level
This workflow is not
like any other plugin available. There are tons of options,
features, and endless possibilities for creating your masterpiece.
In addition to manual modes, and custom tweak options, I have packed
this plugin full of carefully designed preset options to help you
get the best image quality out of your files. You have 8 preset
filter selections, 32 duotone presets, 18 tritone presets, 6
quadtone presets, 3 film grain presets and 4 dynamic range presets.
Everything you do, can be easily previewed as you work on your
image. High quality B&W has never been easier to achieve. Let
the BW workflow Pro give you the control you need to get the best
B&W look from your image.
*16-bit color depth available with Photoshop
CS. FM Plugins will work with both 8-bit and 16-bit files. However
when using Photoshop 5.5, 6, or 7 this plugin will only work in
8-bit mode.

Note: Mac version illustrations will be
shown throughout this page. Identical features are available for PC
and Mac users. The new interface functionality and concept is based
on the feedback from many professional photographers looking for the
highest quality black and white output.
BW
Workflow Pro PC version includes an automatic installer that detects
all versions of Photoshop on your system and installs itseflt. For
the Mac version, installation is very easy and quick and can be done
by the user.

Launching the BW Workflow Pro
Plugin
If Photoshop was open during the BW Workflow
Pro plugin installation, close it.
Re-open Photoshop and open a new Image. You are
ready to load the Plugin.
Go to: Menu / Automate / BW Workflow
Pro
See the illustration below: When clicking on 'BW Workflow
Pro', the plugin interface will launch.

BW
Workflow Pro settings:
The BW Workflow Pro plugin is packed with
features and options. Every setting has been designed to ease your
workflow when converting RGB color images to black &
white.
There are 3 main options to choose from: Preset
Mode, Smart Mix or Manual Mode.
Preset Mode:

Although this mode is fully automated, it
provides options to tweak the filter preset selections in order to
achieve custom and unique results. From the drop down menu, you can
choose from 8 presets that have been carefully calculated for
optimal conversion results. They are:
-
B&W (no filter)
-
B&W + Red Filter
-
B&W + Orange Filter
-
B&W + Yellow Filter
-
B&W + Green Filter
-
B&W + Blue Filter
-
B&W High Contrast
-
B&W Very High
Contrast
The default option is B&W (no filter). This
preset mimics the look of black and white film without any filter
attached to the lens. The other options were designed to mimic the
look of black and white film with red, orange, yellow, green and
blue filters attached to the lens respectively.
The Preview button (Located on the right side
of the plugin interface) is very helpful when choosing between the
Filter Selection options. Whenever the "Preview" button is checked,
you will preview the changes on your original file.
Within the Preset Mode, you will find 2 extra
settings:
Tweak
Filter: The Tweak Filter feature provides you with
numerous possibilities to tweak chosen filter selections. It can be
used with any preset, except for the "High Contrast" and "Very High
Contrast". You will have a range of (-150% to 150%) to tweak the
look of the desired filter selection. This can be done by either
adjusting the slider or entering a number from -150 up to 150 in the
percentage field.
Intensity: The Intensity slider
accentuates and enhances the results from the preset filter
selections. The available range is from 0% to 50% and it can either
be adjusted from the slider or by entering a number up to 50 in the
percentage field.
Smart Mix
Mode:

BW Workflow Pro works with RGB (color) files
and because of that, it bases its algorithms on three channels: Red,
Green and Blue. The Smart Mix mode, provides a very effective way to
isolate one of the color channels and then tweak the remaining two
without overexposing or underexposing your images. It's smart
because whichever setting you choose, your file will retain your
original exposure.
For example, if you have a landscape image that
you wish to convert to black and white and would like to make the
blue sky as dark as possible while maintaining a "healthy" exposure,
you could select the "Red" channel and give it a max of 200
percentage setting. (The Master channel range is -200 to
200%)
Then you could tweak the Green and Blue
channels to obtain the look you desire. If more Green is desired,
move the slider towards the Green side and if more Blue is desired,
move the slider towards the blue side. The settings will auto-adjust
in between an amazing range of -300 to 300%. Possibilities are
infinite!
Manual
Mode:

This mode is similar in concept to the Smart
Mix mode, except that it will not correct exposure by default. In
Manual mode, you have the option to use settings for any color
channel individually and therefore you can create custom and
creative looks for your black and white images. Again, by default,
exposure will not be balanced and images could end up severely
overexposed or underexposed. However, when checking on the
"Calculate Average" option, the plugin algorithms will maintain the
intended black and white look while balancing exposure to
perfection.
Add
Effects:

Add Effects offers a multitude of looks for
your black and white images. It can be used with any of the Plugin
modes like: Preset Mode, Smart Mix Mode or Manual Mode.
You can choose from 32 Duotone presets, 18
Tritone presets and 6 Quadtone presets. You can also tweak "Tone"
and "Intensity" from any Effect preset to achieve a custom look for
your black and white work. Tone Tweak will range from (-150 to 150)
and Intensity from (-50 to 50). With all of these Effects, you could
really create a unique look for your black and white work when
deciding to go beyond the provided preset options.
Add Grain:

The Add Grain feature will emulate the look of
film grain. You can choose from ASA 100, 200 or 400. It can be used
with any of the plugin modes: Preset Mode, Smart Mix Mode or Manual
mode.
Add Dynamic
Range:

The Add Dynamic Range feature opens up the
shadows and rescues as much highlight detail as possible. You can
choose from Level 1, 2, 3 or 4 (4 = strongest level). It can be used
with any of the plugin modes: Preset Mode, Smart Mix Mode or Manual
mode.
Image Zoom and
Reset:

The Image zoom feature provides the following
optional views for your preview file: Zoom in, Zoom out, Fit on
Screen, Actual Pixels and Print size. *Before using this "View"
option, make sure you have the Preview button checked.
The Reset button will return the image to the
initial default setting of the plugin. (Which is Preset mode with
Filter selection B&W - no filter.)
Shortcut to access BW Workflow
Pro:
There is a great way to use your BW Workflow
Pro Plugin faster and easier. All you need to do is create a simple
action in Photoshop to open the BW Workflow Pro plugin
automatically, instead of having to go through using the Automate
menu every time. More details included in the User
Manual.
Batching BW Workflow
Pro:
Normally, plugins are not compatible with
Photoshop's batch mode. However, BW Workflow Pro has an internal
batch capability that has been added (Scripting support). More
details included in the User Manual.