Undo Unsharp Mask in PhotoShop

[Jeff Alperin]

Is it possible to "undo" the Unsharp Mask after a file has been saved (in .psd format)? For example, if I apply an unsharp mask at 87%, save and then later re-open the file, does setting the unsharp mask at 0% have the effect of removing the mask? It doesn't seem to. If not, what's the appropriate way of applying an unsharp mask, yet leaving the flexibility of altering or removing it later? Thanks.

--Jeff Alperin

 

[clausiam]

Is it possible to "undo" the Unsharp Mask after a file has been
saved (in .psd format)? For example, if I apply an unsharp mask at
87%, save and then later re-open the file, does setting the unsharp
mask at 0% have the effect of removing the mask? It doesn't seem
to. If not, what's the appropriate way of applying an unsharp
mask, yet leaving the flexibility of altering or removing it later?

USM and all other filters are cumulative (in lack of a better word). When you apply your second USM it works on the current image no matter if you have already used USM on it previously. Some people actually prefer using multiple small consecutive USM instead of one larger one.

In general once you have saved a file and closed it you cannot undo any of your operations since the history is not saved with the file (the filesize would be HUGE if it was).
I can see two ways that you can accomplish what you want.

1) Save one copy just before the USM and one after. That way you have a copy with all your edits before the USM as well as one with the USM.

2) Copy your existing layers, merge the new layers so you end up with one more layer than you had before the layer-copy and run USM on the new layer before you save. Since layers are saved in PSD format you can throw away this layer after reopening the file, in effect undoing the USM.
-- Claus

 

[Lam Nguyen]

I'm no PS expert and never thought about undo USM after saving file. Since you asked, I just had a thought (have not tried it yet) that you can try duplicate layer first and then apply USM on the new layer, and then adjust the opacity about 70 -75% so you can see the original colors from the previous layer, and then save as .psd without flatten image. To undo, you just need to go to the layer palete and go back to whatever layer prior to USM layer.
Let me know if this works

Is it possible to "undo" the Unsharp Mask after a file has been
saved (in .psd format)? For example, if I apply an unsharp mask at
87%, save and then later re-open the file, does setting the unsharp
mask at 0% have the effect of removing the mask? It doesn't seem
to. If not, what's the appropriate way of applying an unsharp
mask, yet leaving the flexibility of altering or removing it later?
Thanks.

--Jeff Alperin

--LamnC21OOUZ/C3O3OZ

 

[Jeff Alperin]

Thanks. I think the second option suggested by Claus is the easiest and most intuitive.