Radsoft ClipHist: Quick Guide to Installation and SetupRadsoft ClipHist is a lightweight utility designed for quick histogram analysis and clipping operations on images. Whether you’re a photographer needing accurate tonal adjustments, an image-processing developer testing algorithms, or a hobbyist exploring image histograms, ClipHist offers a simple, focused toolset to visualize and manage pixel value distributions.
What ClipHist Does (Overview)
Radsoft ClipHist provides:
- Histogram visualization for grayscale and color images.
- Clip and stretch controls to adjust black/white points and remap intensities.
- Channel-specific operations (apply changes to R/G/B separately).
- Export of adjusted images and histogram data for further processing.
System Requirements
Before installing, ensure your system meets the basic requirements:
- Operating system: Windows 10 or later, macOS 10.13+ (or Linux with compatible builds).
- RAM: 2 GB minimum; 4 GB or more recommended for large images.
- Disk space: At least 100 MB for the app; additional space for image storage.
- Dependencies: Standard system image libraries (most installers bundle what’s needed).
Downloading ClipHist
- Visit the Radsoft official download page or the trusted repository where Radsoft distributes ClipHist.
- Choose the installer matching your operating system (Windows .exe/.msi, macOS .dmg/.pkg, or a Linux .deb/.rpm/AppImage).
- Verify the file’s checksum if provided to ensure integrity.
Installation — Windows
- Run the downloaded .exe or .msi as an administrator.
- Follow the installer prompts:
- Accept the license agreement.
- Choose an installation folder (default is usually fine).
- Optionally select shortcuts and file associations.
- Complete the installation and launch ClipHist from the Start menu or desktop shortcut.
Common troubleshooting:
- If the installer fails, ensure you have permissions and that antivirus isn’t blocking the installer. Temporarily disable antivirus only if you trust the source, then re-enable it afterward.
Installation — macOS
- Open the downloaded .dmg or .pkg file.
- If using a .dmg, drag the ClipHist app icon to the Applications folder.
- If using a .pkg, run the package installer and follow prompts.
- On first launch, macOS may warn about an unidentified developer; allow the app in System Preferences → Security & Privacy if you trust the source.
Common troubleshooting:
- If Gatekeeper blocks the app, right-click the app icon and select “Open,” then confirm.
Installation — Linux
ClipHist may be distributed as a .deb/.rpm or AppImage:
- For .deb: sudo dpkg -i cliphist_version.deb; then sudo apt-get -f install to resolve dependencies.
- For .rpm: sudo rpm -ivh cliphist_version.rpm (or use your distro’s package manager).
- For AppImage: make executable (chmod +x ClipHist.AppImage) and run it.
Common troubleshooting:
- Missing libraries: install common image libraries (libjpeg, libpng) via your package manager.
- If AppImage won’t run, ensure fuse is available or run with –appimage-extract then execute the contained binary.
First Launch and Initial Setup
- Open ClipHist. On first run, you may see a welcome screen or quick tutorial—read the tips.
- Set preferences:
- Default color space (sRGB recommended for general use).
- Histogram bin count (256 bins is standard).
- Auto-save settings and output format (TIFF/PNG recommended to avoid compression artifacts).
- Configure performance options if available (use multi-threading for large images).
Loading Images
- Use File → Open or drag-and-drop an image into the window.
- Supported formats commonly include JPEG, PNG, TIFF, BMP; RAW support depends on bundled libraries.
- For color images, ClipHist typically displays combined and per-channel histograms.
Basic Workflow: Viewing and Adjusting Histograms
- Observe the histogram for tonal distribution.
- To clip shadows/highlights:
- Move the black and white point sliders to exclude extreme tails.
- Optionally enable “Preview” to see changes live on the image.
- To stretch contrast:
- Use a stretch or levels control to remap input to output ranges.
- For channel-specific changes:
- Select the R/G/B channel and adjust sliders independently.
- When satisfied, apply changes and export via File → Save As.
Practical tips:
- Small clips (1–2%) often improve contrast without visible posterization.
- Preserve highlights by clipping midtones before highlights if dynamic range is limited.
- Use non-destructive workflow if ClipHist supports history or save a copy before applying destructive edits.
Advanced Options (if available)
- Histogram equalization and adaptive histogram methods.
- Batch processing: apply the same clipping parameters to multiple images.
- Export histogram data as CSV for analysis in external tools.
- Scripting or command-line interface for automated workflows (check documentation for syntax).
Verification and Testing
- After installation, test ClipHist with a few images of different formats and bit depths.
- Verify that exported images match expected results in other image viewers.
- If color shifts occur, confirm the color profile handling (embed or convert to sRGB).
Troubleshooting Common Issues
- App crashes on load: update graphics drivers, reinstall, or check logs (if available).
- Incorrect colors: ensure color management settings and profiles are correct.
- Slow performance: reduce bin count, close other heavy apps, or enable performance options.
Uninstallation
- Windows: use Settings → Apps or Control Panel → Uninstall.
- macOS: move the app from Applications to Trash; remove preferences in ~/Library/Preferences if desired.
- Linux: use your package manager to remove installed package or delete AppImage.
Conclusion
Radsoft ClipHist is a focused tool for histogram inspection and clipping operations. Installation is straightforward across major platforms, and basic setup involves choosing color space, binning, and output formats. Use per-channel adjustments and conservative clipping for best image quality, and take advantage of batch or scripting features for repetitive tasks.
If you want, I can write step-by-step screenshots-based instructions for a specific OS, or create a quick checklist you can follow during installation.
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