ON1 Portrait AI 2021.5 for Mac: A Comprehensive Guide

Source: 爱上MAC  |  Software download link: ON1 Portrait AI 2021.5 for Mac

ON1 Portrait AI 2021.5 is an artificial intelligence portrait editing software designed specifically for macOS. By integrating advanced AI technology, it can automatically recognize facial features and perform intelligent analysis and retouching on skin, facial features, makeup, and more. This greatly simplifies the workflow of professional-grade portrait retouching, enabling photographers and retouchers to quickly produce high-quality portrait works.

I. Detailed Explanation of the Core Interface and Workspace

After the software launches, the main interface is divided into the following core areas:

1. Top Menu Bar and Toolbar: Includes standard menus such as File, Edit, and View, as well as commonly used tool icons on the left side (such as crop, brush, gradient filter, etc.).
2. Left Panel – “Portrait AI” Module: This is the core of the software. The panel displays all automatically detected and adjustable portrait attributes in a collapsible list, such as “Skin,” “Eyes,” “Lips,” “Teeth,” etc. Each attribute has fine slider controls underneath.
3. Central Viewing Area: Displays the image currently being edited. Above it are view mode toggle buttons (such as “Original/Edited” comparison, split-screen view).
4. Right Panel – “Effects” & “Presets”:
   • Effects Panel: Provides global adjustment tools such as color tone, color, detail (sharpening and noise reduction), lens correction, etc., similar to a streamlined RAW processor.
   • Presets Panel: Offers a large number of one-click presets, allowing users to quickly apply different styles.
5. Bottom Workflow Bar: Clearly displays the core workflow of “Browse” -> “Portrait AI” -> “Effects” -> “Export”, with clickable quick mode switching.

II. Complete Workflow: From Opening to Export

1. Create/Open a Project

Method 1: Start from the “Browse” Module

1. After launching the software, it defaults to the “Browse” module.
2. Use the top path bar or the left sidebar folder directory to navigate to the location of the target image.
3. Double-click the target image thumbnail, or select it and press the Return key to enter the “Portrait AI” module and begin editing.

Method 2: Open a File Directly

1. Via the menu bar File > Open… or use the shortcut Cmd + O.
2. In the file selection dialog, locate and select one or more portrait photos, then click “Open”.

2. Core Editing: The “Portrait AI” Module

After opening an image, the software will automatically enter this module and begin analyzing the face.

1. Wait for AI analysis: Detection boxes will appear on the image. Once the analysis is complete, each option in the left panel will provide AI-based initial adjustment values.
2. Global adjustment and refinement:
   • At the top of the left panel, use the “Portrait Enhancement” overall intensity slider to control the overall effect of all AI adjustments.
   • Expand each sub-item (such as skin, eyes) for fine-tuning:
     • Skin: Adjust smoothness, shine, and softness, and use the “Remove blemishes” toggle.
     • Eyes: Enhance the iris, brighten the whites of the eyes, and adjust shadows and size.
     • Lips, teeth, hair, etc.: Apply targeted retouching.
3. Local control: If the AI’s recognition area is incorrect (for example, if skin is recognized as hair), you can use the “Brush” tool in the toolbar to paint on the image to add or exclude areas affected by the adjustment.

3. Global adjustment: “Effects” module

After completing portrait-specific retouching, click “Effects” in the bottom workflow bar to enter this module.

1. In the “Effects” panel on the right, you can apply and adjust various filters and global parameters.
   • Color grading/Color: Adjust exposure, contrast, saturation, etc.
   • Details: Perform intelligent noise reduction and sharpening.
2. You can also apply style presets directly from the “Presets” panel and adjust their opacity.

4. Final Export

1. Click the “Export” module in the bottom workflow bar.
2. Configure the parameters in the “Export” panel on the right:
   • File Settings: Select format (JPEG, TIFF, PNG), quality, and color space.
   • Resize Image: Set output dimensions and resolution.
   • Add Watermark: Optional.
3. Click the “Export…” button at the bottom of the panel, choose a save location, and the export is complete. You can also use the shortcut Cmd + E to quickly bring up the export dialog.

III. Advanced Tips for Common Features

1. Batch Processing: In the “Browse” module, select multiple portrait photos, right-click and choose “Edit Photos.” All selected photos will enter the “Portrait AI” module in sequence and automatically apply the same AI analysis workflow, enabling efficient uniform style processing.
2. Selectively Apply AI Effects: In the left panel of the “Portrait AI” module, each adjustment item has a “toggle” icon on its right. You can turn off automatic adjustments you don’t want (for example, keep only skin smoothing and turn off teeth whitening) for fully customized results.
3. Use layers and masks for compositing: In the “Effects” module, applied effects will appear as layers in the “Layers” panel. You can adjust layer opacity and blend modes, and use the brush tool to paint on layer masks to control the strength of the effect in different areas of the image.
4. Create and save custom presets: After adjusting an effect to your satisfaction in the “Portrait AI” or “Effects” module, you can click the “Add Preset” button in the upper right corner of the corresponding panel to save the current settings as a custom preset for easy one-click access in the future.

IV. Common Problems and Solutions

V. Summary of Mac Shortcuts