Shape Plugin for Photoshop Interface and Prefernces window plus a sample of Shape appliedC

Shape | Midtones Global/Local Contrast Manager

Shape is a Plugin for Photoshop CC to manage contrast, sharpness, and color, in just one step. Its shaping effect is mostly concentrated in the mid-tones, using a sophisticated 32bit internal masking tool protecting highlights and shadows, that the user can control by just moving the sliders.

A unique feature, Shape allows changing not only the amount but also the kind of contrast as the user can modify the default global/local contrast mix. The color behavior can be controlled as well, thanks to the color boost control and the two color modes.

Midtones Contrast

Shape adds contrast and sharpness to midtones in just one step, thanks to a masking tool that protects highlights and shadows.

Global/Local Mix

Shape pops-up contrast and colors with no halos using a customizable mix of Global/Local contrast with great artifacts-free transitions.

Midtones USM

Shape is a unique and powerful sharpener that you can exclude in shadows and highlights where USM creates most of the artifacts.

Color Control

Shape allows full color-control thanks to its 32bit engine, the color boost tool and two color modes, with a natural and photographic look.

What else can you customize? The Preview mode so you can, for example, select the manual preview instead of the live one. The Color Boost. You will never again experience the lack of saturation when increasing the contrast. By default it’s 15, so with a standard boost of contrast you will get exactly the same color feel. The Color mode by choosing the Color Accuracy (RGB) option, great with landscape images. And last but not least, the Sharpening mode by adjusting the High Frequency (low radius) value. With a lower number you will get a thinner USM, with and higher number a more aggressive one. Whatever value you choose will have a powerful sharpener, that you can exclude in shadows and highlights where USM creates the most of the artifacts - the only one in the market that lets you do this.

Try Shape yourself

1. By downloading the trial version. Find the Trial button on the top right.

Download the Shape Trial

2. By downloading the package including most of the files used in the video and in the before/after booklet.

Download the test files

3. By downloading the 60 pages interactive booklet with before/after comparison with all settings used. The booklet also includes comparisons of SHAPE vs NEXT.

Download the comparison booklet

Compatibility, version, and manual

Photoshop CC and later, CC 2020 included
Mac: OSX Lion and later, Catalina included
WIN: WIN 7 and later, WIN 10 included, 64bit only
Current Version: 1.1.0

Download the new manual, completely redesigned, with comparison pages, suggested settings, and advanced techniques.

Download the new user manual

Shape user manual 2020 completely redesigned

Trial version available

BUY AT ADOBE EXCHANGE $39.95

Contrast Enhancement Evolution. From ALCE, to NEXT, to SHAPE.

We currently have two contrast enhancer plugins in our product range. SHAPE was developed four years after NEXT, capitalizing on the experience made with many other plugins, especially Wow! Frequency Equalizer. SHAPE was also designed to work alongside or even improve NEXT. The two plugins are different in terms of behavior, color engine, and algorithm. However, what NEXT does can ben easily be reproduced in SHAPE but, not the opposite,