But this ignores middle grey as the anchor when you use the base curve and so does this not have some implication on modules in the SR workflow…maybe it minor with that later pipeline position…
Indeed, I forgot about that… It has been a long time since I’ve used basecurve 
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But it’s still the responsability of the user to make sure that the rgb values are in the range of 0…1 when the basecurve is applied. Basically, the user has to do a large part of the tone mapping part of filmic.
From what I remember, that means more work with exposure, masking, tone equaliser and such.
Thanks @elstoc for looking this up and clarification, unfortunately I did not have time at the computer to check it.
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One could use the scene referred way, and use the exposure module to correct for the midtones, so all scene-referred modules can interpret shadows, midtones and highlights properly, then add another instance of exposure just before base curve to scale everything back to 0…1.
But this is no longer about rants. Don’t get me wrong, I much prefer discussing ways to process photos over talking about rants.
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Fully agree.
Collections has been removed? 
What replaced it?
P.S. I’m still on 3.8
By default, there is now a history button instead of recent collections module, which doesn’t have an expanded state like the old recent collections. However I just learnt recent collections has not been removed, but needs to be enabled via a preferences menu in collections module (I don’t know why none of the devs in this thread didn’t correct me on that - perhaps even they didn’t know!).
It is in the manual.
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There are plenty of bugs and what bugs one to write about. The missing files browser, chromatic aberrations not working (if lens not db) and maybe a few more annoyances.
The workaround is to stick to functions that work.
Ah, there is an extra preference popup for the module. I was looking in the darktable preferences for that setting.
There are only the modules collection and export which have this “internal” preferences?
Hmm, I’m just thinking loud:
Would it be more obvious to add a gear icon in the module bar for those modules who have “internal” preferences. But maybe this would add even more confusion.
A few alternatives were considered:
- Keeping the module options in the global preferences window. People were concerned at how many preferences were present in this window and thought it was becoming unwieldy. Rather than remove the preferences, the decision was made to spread them out so that the weren’t all in the same place.
- Removing options entirely, thereby reducing flexibility but also code complexity (this has been done for a few options iirc)
- Hiding the options in the darktablerc configuration file. Very undiscoverable and not really better than removing them entirely.
- An icon in the module header would indeed look cluttered/cramped. There are already four icons plus the module name and those with large fonts or small side panels would not have space to fit them all. It would be more discoverable/logical though.
- There used to be a gear icon in the export module (beside the export button) for its internal preferences. If we were to duplicate this in other modules, they would need to be in a consistent (discoverable) location, and this would probably increase their vertical size.
- The import module has its internal preferences in a collapsible section. Again, this increases its vertical size, though that module is pretty small to start with. Some processing modules have collapsible sections for other purposes (per-image settings) so this might be confusing.
- A tabbed interface might also be a possibility, though again, some modules already use a tabbed interface for other purposes.
- The existing solution (an option in the presets menu) was considered the “least bad” but it’s not discoverable and it’s surprising how many people don’t know it’s there (though it is documented in the manual).
Personally I’m in favour of moving these options (perhaps with the exception of the import/export modules) back into the global preferences (in a separate tab, maybe with collapsible sections like the presets tab) or in a more discoverable place in the main module UI.
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Thank you for the detailed response!
Because it is new and just used in a few places right now?
Yes, after @g-man hint, I clicked the manual, read preferences and thought: ah it is in the preferences.
Well, reading competence might not be my strength and following old paths is always easier.
I remember that gear icon in the export module and just discovered today that this has been moved. Some preferences you don’t change and sit there untouched for years.
But, after clicking a little bit around, I found that
quite nice, as it can be reached quickly and the pop-up dialog is short and easy to understand.
Maybe it just needs some optical and naming refinements?
In the German translation it says “Voreinstellungen”, “neue Voreinstellungen” and so on.
Switched to English: Oh, it says “preset” and “preferences …”
So it is “lost in translation” at least for German!
A bit of balance. I’ve learnt more from Aurelien’s latest video on DT 4.0 than anything else I’ve seen, and I’m just taking a break after watching the first half hour. He’s a remarkably clear and entertaining communicator on complex topics, even ignoring his critical role in developing transformative core modules for DT. I can’t say whether I would want to work with him or not as I haven’t had that experience and I’m not technically competent, but my comprehension of what I am doing with both my camera and files has utterly changed for the better thanks to his efforts. My 2 cents
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I haven’t watched the latest but his instructional videos are indeed very good and his contribution to darktable’s processing pipeline has been phenomenal. Not sure it balances anything out but definitely worth saying.
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From a position of total ignorance - I don’t know any of you - some of these threads, while no doubt containing much useful info, start to look from the outside a little like self-affirming pile-ons. That’s almost certainly ridiculously unfair coming from someone who knows sweet FA about what’s been going on - or the many hands that have made DT what it is today - but maybe it’s useful to see how it might look to dumbers like me. Thanks
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That would be my preference as well.
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AP posted a new video today on highlight recovery and filmic v6 – I recommend it (but beware, it’s still an AP video 
)
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