View Add/Edit Patient Images screen, Image Effects screen. View Video, 1 min. 43 sec.

Sharpen
Move the slider to the right on the Sharpening Settings screen to make an image sharper. Now since sharper seems better, why not just move it all the way to 10 and have the image as sharp as possible? Unfortunately sharpening an image doesn’t work that way. The image often can be improved with some minimum to moderate sharpening. Too much sharpening simply gives a strange distorted look. Trial and error will be the best teacher.

Soften
Soften is the opposite of Sharpen which is discussed above. Some images improve with softening. Trial and error is once again suggested.

Unsharp Mask
Click Unsharp Mask to make an image sharper. The effect is immediate, no pop up adjustor window will display. Usually, if it is going to improve the image, you will notice it on the first click. Continued clicking will intensify the effect, but usually to the detriment of the image. If you don’t like the results simply click Reset to restore the original image.

Despeckle
Despeckle is essentially a “spot remover.” It attempts to remove specks, spots, and blemishes from an image. If your image has unsightly spots, click Despeckle and see if it helps. If it is going to help, usually the first click will do it. Additional clicks will intensify the effect.

Median
Median is a filter that attempts to remove what is called “salt and pepper” noise from images. “Noise” in an image are small, unwanted random specks in areas where the surrounding majority of pixels are of a different color value. The Median filter is specifically designed to work on this type of artifact and does somewhat overlap with the Despeckle filter.

Negate Image
Click Negate Image to make a reversal or negative of an image. Look at the interesting reversal effect achieved by negating this periapical of a first molar: