fractals - unsharp mask?

[jonsimpson]

Hey Guys:
I've been messing with Genuine Fractals with good results.

The instructions say do NOT unsharp mask image before using
the Fractals program.......but is that the case with our D30 images?
They are so soft.....that it seems like the program blows up and converts
a soft image lacking detail......and then you sharpen THAT soft image
with unsharp mask before printing.

Thoughts?
Jon

[Dick]

>>The instructions say do NOT unsharp mask image before using the Fractals program.......

Ideal sharpening is image size and resolution dependent. It is best left to the final output stage.

If you use GF to rez up a sharpened image you will rez up the sharpening artifacts and possibly cause undesirable effects in the finished photograph.

[Alexandre]

Dick is right.
Even if you intend to resize an image for internet display, you will need to sharpen once the image has been resized too.
Sharpening should be the last step.

Alexandre