Nik Software HDR Efex Pro NIK-1406 User Guide

After you have created a profile using either the 

Manual or 

Automatic methods, you can save your profile for later use or to 
share with other Dfine 2.0 users.

Click on the 

Save button to call up a file naming dialog. Dfine 2.0 

will recommend a name for the file automatically based on the 
camera and ISO settings, along with the current date. You can 
change the name if you like, and then press OK.

You can access and share the file directly from within your operating 
system, and other users can load the shared file easily by loading 
the profile from within the Dfine 2.0 interface.

From time to time, you may find that you have an image that cannot 
be profiled. Typically, this occurs if the image you are working on has 
such a high level of detail that there is no appropriate area on which 
to place a 

Measurement Rectangle.

In these situations, you will need to create a profile based on 
another image and then load that profile into Dfine 2.0. This can be 
done very simply by taking a picture of a blank piece of paper with 
the camera at the ISO setting of the image that you wish to work on.

When photographing the blank sheet of paper, underexpose it 
slightly to ensure that the paper comes out close to middle gray. 
The absolute tonal value of the paper is not important, as long as 
it is not too close to pure white or pure black. Also, try to provide 
as even lighting as possible, however it is only important that you 
create even lighting in an area large enough to add a 

Rectangle.

After you have shot the image of the blank sheet of paper, open 
that image in your host application without making any adjustments 
to the image at all. That is, ensure that there is no contrast, 
sharpening, noise reduction, etc. applied to the image.

Launch Dfine 2.0, and then use the 

Automatic measuring method 

to create a profile. Save the profile using the 

Save button and then 

cancel out of the Dfine 2.0 interface.

Next, open the original image you need to work on, launch Dfine 2.0, 
and then using the 

Load button, load the profile you just created.

You can now apply optimal noise reduction to your image, as the 
noise structures that are created are based on the characteristics of 
the camera and ISO combination.

Photography 
of blank paper 
for custom 
profiling