Unsharpening Mask settings

I read some tutorials on USM that showed how it works, but luckily for us, PS does it all internally. However, how I know what settings are best for what I'm working with? I don't really know how each setting affects the USM.

Any help would be great, thanks

I think there are lots of different people who have different ideas about what settings are best. For me the following rule of thumb works pretty well:

Amount: between 120-150%
Radius: Output ppi / 150 (so for web viewing, about 0.67; for printing, about 2.0)
Threshold: Anywhere from 0-15 depending on the situation

Amount:

Is the percent of USM

Radius:

Width of USM

Threshold:

Is the difference of contrast level limit to apply the USM to.


There is no magic numbers for all pics.

USM varies with output also.

Once you understand what the controls do, it's much easier.

for me when I use USM after resizing for web .. i typically use

75 - 200% (depending on the picture)
0.3


im sure there are better methods though

I like lower amounts like 85 for people and like 150 for buildings . Sometimes I will sharpen strong on some pics and use fade effect to bring it back to where it looks ok.
But like others have said there are no perfect settings. I like less sharpen better than too much though.

Try this:

200,0.3,0

then again

15,100,0

resize

then 100,0.3

In my limited experience, I find that using really a really small radius and a relatively higher percentage usually yields good results. Also, don't be afraid to use USM 2 or 3 times, using a smaller radius. I read that somewhere, but can't remember where.

If the image is already decently sharp, I do a 150, .3-.5, 0.

Then, I'll often punch up an image with a 15,150,0.

My settings, I use for EVERY Image, since I mostley
shoot my little one, is as follows...
Amount: 125%
Radius: 1 Pixels
Threshold: 3

It my one of my favorite actions.

Thanks guys, I'll have to play with it more to see what affects it has, but I'll try out your settings too

Generally (when I was shooting jpg): No sharpening in camera, something like USM 300%; radius 0.3; threshold 0 as capture sharpening. (Or rather: An action I made using this)

For output: Depends on image content, size, and useage.

I read somewhere (of course I don't remember where) about the Smart Sharpen tool. Supposedly, it's a newer sharpening tool than USM in Photoshop. The recommended settings were 100, .2 and Lens Blur. The first time I used these settings it yielded what I think are great results.

For the web, after resizing I've been using 40-150%, 0.3, 0
For printing, after resizing, 40-200%, 1.0, 0 (slightly oversharpening)

What blending mode does everyone use?
After resizing, I duplicate the layer and set the blending mode to Luminosity and then apply the USM.

The radius controls what size of the detail objects are brought out.
The larger the number the bigger the detail objects affected.

generally
.3 for small details
1 or 2 for midsized details.
5 or 10 for large details.

I don't bother with this on every image...
For an image I really care about that has a wide dynamic range of detail I will use 3 or 4 passes.
Generally 5,1,.3 for radius in that order.
The lower the radius the less effect 1 step in amount has on the image so generally .3 will be applied in a greater amount.

One way to tell what needs doing is set the amount to 500 then vary the radius until the detail you most want to bring out is the primary thing being affected then back off the amount.
Then apply and repeat as needed for other details.
The biggest thing people do wrong is try and bring out small details with a large radius or large details with a small radius.
Both lead to over sharpening.