Regional Contrast

Regional Contrast operator properties for Script Engine. Adds punch and depth to the midtones of an image without sharpening fine detail or producing the harsh edges of a normal sharpener. Often called "clarity" in photo tools. Useful for giving interview shots more presence, lifting hazy or flat outdoor footage, adding texture to landscapes and architecture, making product shots pop, and giving sports highlights a richer look. Shadow and highlight protection let you keep dark areas clean and bright areas free from clipping.

Property	Type	Access	Description
`Amount`	`int`	`get/set`	Strength of the contrast boost. [min=0, max=100, default=50]. 0 leaves the picture flat. Mid values (40-60) give a natural lift suitable for most broadcast material. Higher values produce a punchier, more dramatic look that suits stylised content but can start to look gritty.
`Radius`	`int`	`get/set`	Size of the area each pixel is compared against, in pixels. [min=5, max=50, default=20]. Smaller values affect very local regions and emphasise fine texture; larger values affect broader tonal areas and add an overall sense of depth without sharpening detail.
`Mix`	`int`	`get/set`	Blend between the original and the processed image. [min=0, max=100, default=100]. 0 shows the untouched source, 100 shows the full effect. Useful for dialling the look back to taste after setting `Amount` and `Radius`.
`Mode`	`ContrastMode`	`get/set`	How colour is treated. RGB applies the contrast boost to all colour channels, which can also slightly increase saturation. Luminance applies the boost to brightness only and keeps the original colour, which is usually safer for skin tones and broadcast.
`Output`	`OutputMode`	`get/set`	What is shown in the output. Final is the normal processed picture. The other modes are diagnostic: Difference Only shows just the contrast detail being added, Blurred shows the smoothed reference image, and Original bypasses the operator entirely.
`Quality`	`BlurQuality`	`get/set`	Quality of the blur used to drive the effect. Fast is the cheapest and gives a slightly boxy look. Normal is a good balance for live use. High produces the smoothest, most natural result and is recommended for finished material when performance allows.
`ShadowProtect`	`int`	`get/set`	How much the effect is held back in dark areas. [min=0, max=100, default=50]. Higher values keep shadows clean and stop noise or grain from being amplified. Lower values let the effect work fully in the dark parts of the picture.
`HighlightProtect`	`int`	`get/set`	How much the effect is held back in bright areas. [min=0, max=100, default=50]. Higher values stop highlights from clipping to white. Lower values let the effect push the brightest tones harder.
`ResetCmd`	`Command`	`get`	Reset all settings to their defaults (Amount 50, Radius 20, Mix 100, Mode RGB, Output Final, Quality High, Shadow/Highlight protection 50).
`Minilog`	`FormattedMessage`	`get/set`	Status message from the operator (read-only, debug).

Inherits from: AbstractOperator, AbstractAudioMetering.

See also: Regional Contrast in Operators — user-facing introduction, screenshots, and section summaries.