Long delay in using the burn tool

[mmjoshi]

GIMP Version: 2.10.24
Operating System: Windows
GIMP Experience: Experienced User

---

I have been using Gimp for quite some time now and currently am using 2.10.24 on Windows 10. I have noticed that whenever I use the burn tool, it takes quite some time for the command to execute. I am on a pretty fast machine with SSD memory. All other tools get executed pretty fast almost instantaneously. Since there is no real time feedback about the burn action, I tend to overburn my image. Has anyone else faced this problem? Any workaround.

This does not happen with the dodge tool.

mj

[ofnuts]

Have you set the "Smooth stroke" option on Dodge/Burn? If so try disabling it.

[mmjoshi]

No, I don't have that option selected.

[sallyanne]

Try resetting to default values. If it works ok then put your values back in. (Maybe write them down before resetting).
I find that some tools take longer when using a larger brush.

[mmjoshi]

Try resetting to default values. If it works ok then put your values back in. (Maybe write them down before resetting).
I find that some tools take longer when using a larger brush.

This could very well be the case. I played with different brush sizes and the delay is more when the brush size is larger. I guess it also depends on the number of strokes.

Need to experiment a bit more. However, if this is indeed the case can it be called a bug? Its tedious to burn a big area with a small brush size.

mj

[Erisian]

Maybe you could try experimenting with a normal paintbrush on a burn layer. I don't know if that would work the same or not.

[mmjoshi]

Maybe you could try experimenting with a normal paintbrush on a burn layer. I don't know if that would work the same or not.

Haven't used a burn layer. Is it used for normal burning/dodging? Gimp documentation is not very helpful.

[PixLab]

Maybe you could try experimenting with a normal paintbrush on a burn layer. I don't know if that would work the same or not.

Haven't used a burn layer. Is it used for normal burning/dodging? Gimp documentation is not very helpful.

Yes, it's a common practice to be able to get back later on if needed,
2 options (that I'm aware of):

1) the common one, above your picture put a transparent layer, fill it with a 50% gray (HTML/Hexa #808080, or R 50%, G 50%, B 50%) Soft light mode(50% gray in soft light mode won't show up), use your dogde and burn tool on that layer...
If you bleed, take the paint brush and paint with a 50% gray where you did bleed.

2) above your picture put an empty transparent layer, Soft light mode but this time put opacity around 20-50% depending the hardness of your paint brush (yes you use the paint brush on this one), use black brush (paint brush) or any gray below 50% to burn..., and white colored brush (or any gray above 50%) to dodge (try brush hardness around 20%), you can play opacity on the brush as well instead of the layer (which either you feel good with or both at the same time)
Advantage of this method is that you can see better what you're drawing and it's easier to get back as you don't have to take a brush and paint back with a 50% gray, just erase with the eraser tool.

But in the end... I do prefer the first method, OK, less setting and fine tuning to play with, but way much simpler/easier.

50% gray

[Erisian]

I was thinking that you could use a normal paintbrush, rather than the burn tool on a layer in burn mode, using grey paint like this.

[mmjoshi]

Thanks PixLab & Erisian. Never used this technique. Always used to do the burning and dodging on the image itself Hopefully that was not a horrible practice. Well, you always learn something new every day!

Will try this technique in the next few days.

[Erisian]

Here is an example of using a paintbrush on a burn layer and a dodge layer using 60% grey paint.