Adobe AFTER EFFECTS CS3 PROFESSIONAL User Manual page 406

You can import and apply an arbitrary map file with Options in the Effect Controls panel. When loaded into After
Effects, the specified arbitrary map is applied to the layer or to one or more channels of the layer, depending on how
it was created. If you don't select an arbitrary map, After Effects applies the default map (linear distribution of
brightness) to the layer. Although you can't import .acv or Photoshop spline files into the After Effects PS Arbitrary
Map effect, you can convert these files in Photoshop to create files that are compatible with the After Effects Curves
effect.
To convert .acv and Photoshop spline files, load the .acv file (Windows) or the Photoshop spline file (Mac OS) in the
Curves dialog box, click the Pencil tool, and then save the file as an .amp file (Windows) or Photoshop lookup file
(Mac OS).
Cycles through the arbitrary map. Increasing the phase shifts the arbitrary map to the right (as viewed in the
Phase
Curves dialog box); decreasing the phase shifts the map to the left.
Apply Phase Map To Alpha
doesn't include an alpha channel, After Effects uses the default map (linear distribution of brightness) for the alpha
channel.
See also
"Curves effect" on page 394
Shadow/Highlight effect
The Shadow/Highlight effect brightens shadowed subjects in an image and reduces the highlights in an image. This
effect doesn't darken or lighten an entire image; it adjusts the shadows and highlights independently, based on the
surrounding pixels. You can also adjust the overall contrast of an image. The default settings are for fixing images
with backlighting problems.
This effect works with 8-bpc and 16-bpc color.
Original (left), and with effect applied (right)
If this option is selected, the Shadow Amount and Highlight Amount values are ignored, and
Auto Amounts
amounts are used that are automatically determined to be appropriate for lightening and restoring detail to the
shadows. Selecting this option also activates the Temporal Smoothing control.
The amount to lighten shadows in the image. This control is active only if you deselect Auto
Shadow Amount
Amounts.
The amount to darken highlights in the image. This control is active only if you deselect Auto
Highlight Amount
Amounts.
The range of adjacent frames, in seconds, analyzed to determine the amount of correction
Temporal Smoothing
needed for each frame, relative to its surrounding frames. If Temporal Smoothing is 0, each frame is analyzed
independently, without regard for surrounding frames. Temporal Smoothing can result in smoother-looking correc-
tions over time.
Applies the specified map and phase to the layer's alpha channel. If the specified map
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