CS2 - Sharpening adjustment layer possible?

Is it possible to do a sharpening adjustment layer in a similar way to doing a channel mixer adjustment layer? I'd like a non-destructive way of doing it that doesn't mean duplicating the layer, just to save on disk space (I use a lot of disk and would rather not).

tim, you're going to have to duplicate some part of the layer since sharpening (USM, Smart Sharpen, etc.) are filters, not adjustments.

Ah well, it was worth a try, thanks

Just so I understand, you want to apply sharpening to an image, but be able to back out of the sharpening without losing the quality of the original image? Take a look at TLR Pro Sharpen Kit. Open the script itself in a text editor, ,and you'll see that you can turn off the GUI, and setup presets. Then what you would do is create an action that runs the edited script. In that action, maybe you could add a step that merges the layerset that the TLR script creates.

Here is how to mimic a sharpenng layer in CS2

1. Make a copy layer of background layer
2. Apply Filters-Others-High pass and select 3.0 pixels select . Whole pic will turn grey (don't worry)
3. From layers menu, chage blending mode to"soft light".
4. Now you have a sharpening adjustment layer. You can vary the effect of sharpening by changing opacity of this layer.

Note: For more sharpening use "hard light", "pin light" or "vivid light" as blending mode.

If you have any prbolem doing it, write to me

Thanks guys, i'll try Sajjad's idea because it seems easier, i've heard good things about TLR but it's to complex for me and there's not a lot of documentation.

Here is a 24 page pdf: http://www.thelightsri​ght.com …onalSharpeningT​oolkit.pdf. I agree that it's bulky and somewhat mysterious...but the results keep me coming back.

Well, did you try it I have used the method quite often and it is very effective.

One more tip: If you are working in layers, select top layer, press alt and then slect merge visible from layers menu. Your layers will remain intact but you will get a new merged layer on top of them. Apply high pass filter on this merged layer as I told before & then select appropriate bleding mode.
Hope it was helpful

I haven't needed to do any sharpening since you told me about it Saajad, i'll try it next time I have a large print to get done

Tim, the hi-pass filter Sajjad mentions can to a good job. However, don't rely on a single pixel width, or a single blend mode. Also try hard light, vivid light, etc. Overlay works better sometimes also. Like all sharpening technics, one size doesn't fit all... Once printed, why not just delete the layer and enter the settings you used in a comments field. Might save a little space for you.

how about a reverse of sharpening !!!!

Just as a help here is method reverse of sharpening (a softening layer !!!!). Use it give your portraits a soft glowing look. It is very effective. Just try it.

Here is a good method to give your portraits a good glowing look. Use this method in the last when you have done all other retouching.
1. make a copy of layer
2. apply filters-Blur-gaussian blur (20-25 pixels)
3. Decrease layer's opacity to 20-30% depending on how soft look you want.
4. this will also soften eyes & teeth & jewlery (if any). To bring them back click on layer mask icon and pait on eyes, teeth etc. with black brush to bring their sharpness back.