Workbench V5 User Guide

Workbench is a desktop application that lets you evaluate the powerful capabilities of Perfectly Clear automatic image correction technology in real time. It also allows you to fine-tune corrections and create your own custom presets.

If you’re using Workbench version 5.0 or later, start with our video Introducing Workbench V5, which provides an overview of the interface and core features. You can then refer to the guide below for detailed instructions on navigating and using Workbench V5.

If you’re using Workbench version 4.9 or earlier, we recommend upgrading to the latest version to take advantage of new features and improvements. For information specific to earlier versions, please see this video and visit our FAQ page.

What’s New in Workbench V5

Workbench V5 introduces several enhancements designed to improve usability, organization, and workflow efficiency, including:

  • Enhanced Preset Management: You can now easily see which preset is set as the default for each scene within an AI Model—indicating which preset is automatically applied for a given scene.
  • Improved Navigation Structure: The left panel has been reorganized to provide clearer separation and better visibility between AI Models, Scenes, and Presets. For a detailed explanation of the updated layout and how to use it, see the Left Panel section below.
  • New and Improved Interface Design: Workbench V5 features a refreshed design for a cleaner, more modern user experience.

Preset Migration for Existing Workbench Users

When upgrading from Workbench V4 to V5, the following preset migration behavior applies:

  • All existing presets from Workbench V4 will be migrated to Workbench V5.
  • If presets from custom models are identical to system presets, they will be removed during migration. In these cases, the custom model will be linked to the corresponding system preset.
  • Presets from custom models are migrated into the Custom Presets section and grouped under a preset group with the same name as the original custom model.
    • The number of presets in these groups may be fewer than the number of scenes, since presets that match system presets are removed during migration.
  • Legacy skin tone presets are automatically converted to the new 10-level skin tone preset system.

Installing Workbench

Workbench is quick and easy to set up. Follow the steps below to install and activate the application.

1. Install Workbench

Run the automated installer. If you’re reading this guide, you’ve likely received a download link for Workbench. Click the link, follow the on-screen installation instructions, and then launch the application.

If you do not have a download link, please contact your Perfectly Clear account representative or request one here.

2. Activate Your License Key

A valid license key is required to use Workbench beyond the trial period. If you have not already received a license key, contact your Perfectly Clear account representative or reach out to us here.

Once you have your license key:

  1. Launch Workbench.
  2. Click the version number in the lower-right corner to open the Manage App screen.
  3. In the License Information section, enter your email address and license key.
  4. Click Activate License.

Navigation Overview

Workbench is organized into four main sections:

Main Panel

The Main Panel is where you add and view images. Any image added to Workbench is automatically corrected upon import.

Top Panel

The Top Panel provides viewing and workflow controls, including zoom options, before/after comparison views, Simple and Edit modes, and buttons for saving images.

Left Panel

The Left Panel displays AI Models, Scenes, and Presets, allowing you to manage and apply them efficiently.

Right Panel

The Right Panel contains all image correction controls, including Core Corrections, Retouching, and Creative Filters, as well as additional tools such as auto crop and face detection.

In the following sections, you’ll find detailed explanations of the tools and features available in each panel.

Main Panel Controls

Adding Images

You can add images to Workbench by dragging and dropping them into the main window or by clicking to open files. To add additional images after your initial import, click the “+” icon in the lower-left corner.

Navigating Through Images

You can select a specific image by clicking it directly or by opening the image dropdown menu and choosing an image from the list.

To move through images sequentially, use the on-screen left and right arrows or the corresponding arrow keys on your keyboard.

Sync all/sync forward

Sync all applies the current correction settings to all images loaded in Workbench.

Sync forward applies the current settings to all images that follow the currently selected image.

Top Panel Controls

Zoom In / Zoom Out
Allows you to zoom in and out of the image for closer inspection.

Before / After Views
Provides multiple comparison views with sliders to easily compare the original image with the corrected version.

Simple Mode / Edit Mode
Offers two viewing modes:

  • Simple Mode is ideal for quickly reviewing images without making adjustments.
  • Edit Mode provides full editing capabilities, allowing you to fine-tune corrections and manage presets.

Undo / Redo
Lets you undo or redo any edits or adjustments made to an image.

Save / Save All
Allows you to save the currently selected image or all images loaded in Workbench.

Left Panel Controls

Perfectly Clear core corrections are built around three interrelated concepts: AI Models, Scenes, and Presets.

AI Models

AI Models use machine learning to detect and categorize images into scenes, then automatically apply optimized presets for each scene. Each AI Model contains multiple scenes, with targeted presets designed for those image types.

Perfectly Clear provides three default AI Models—Universal, Pro, and School & Sports—each tailored for different types of imagery. You can view a detailed description of each AI Model and the presets it includes here.

The AI Model dropdown displays:

  • The three default Perfectly Clear AI Models (identified by the green Perfectly Clear icon)
  • Any custom AI Models you create or import
Cloning AI Models

Cloning an AI Model is useful when you want to customize presets while preserving the original, out-of-the-box model.

To clone an AI Model:

  1. Select the AI Model you want to clone from the AI Model dropdown.
  2. Click the three-dot menu next to the model.
  3. Select Clone AI Model.
  4. Enter a name for the new AI Model.

Note: AI Model names must be unique. You cannot have multiple models with the same name.

Scenes

Scenes represent the categories an image may belong to, such as Sunset or Newborn. By default, the scene shown is the one the current image was categorized into.

  • The Scenes dropdown lists all scenes within the selected AI Model.
  • The detected scene is marked with a target icon. This indicates the scene automatically assigned to the current image and cannot be changed.
  • The selected scene is highlighted with a green bar. By default, the detected scene is also selected, but you may select a different scene to preview or adjust its presets.
    • When the detected scene is selected, the target icon appears white.

Scenes themselves cannot be edited or modified; however, the presets associated with each scene can be customized.

Presets

Presets are predefined collections of settings—such as color, exposure, and contrast—that can be applied to an image to achieve a consistent visual result. The highlighted preset is the one currently applied to the image.

Presets are organized into groups. There are two types of preset groups:

  • Perfectly Clear preset groups, indicated by the green Perfectly Clear icon.
    • There is one group for each default AI Model (Universal, Pro, and School & Sports).
    • Default Perfectly Clear presets and groups cannot be edited.
  • Custom preset groups, indicated by the person icon.
    • By default, no custom groups exist.
    • Custom presets and groups can be edited, added, or removed.

Default Presets

A default preset is automatically applied whenever a specific scene is detected. The default preset is indicated by a star icon.

To change the default preset for a scene:

  • Hover over a preset and click the star icon that appears on the left, or
  • Click the three-dot menu next to the preset name and select Set as Default.

Note: Default presets for Perfectly Clear AI Models cannot be changed. To modify defaults, you must first clone the AI Model and work within the custom version (see Cloning AI Models above).

Exporting Presets

You can export either an entire AI Model or an individual preset.

  • To export an AI Model:
    1. Select the AI Model from the AI Model dropdown.
    2. Click the three-dot menu.
    3. Choose Export AI Model.
  • To export an individual preset:
    1. Select the preset you want to export.
    2. Click the three-dot menu next to the preset.
    3. Choose Export Preset.

Importing Presets

You can import a single preset, a group of presets, or an entire AI Model.

  • To import a preset or preset group:
    1. Click the three-dot menu in the Presets section.
    2. Select Import Preset/Group.
    3. Browse to the desired file(s) and import them.
  • To import an AI Model:
    1. Click the three-dot menu in the AI Models section.
    2. Select Import AI Model.
    3. Browse to and select the AI Model to import.

Right Panel Controls

The Right Panel is where you adjust photos and presets.

The tabs at the top are organized into three sections:

Core Color Correction
Improves image accuracy by correcting color balance, removing color casts, adjusting exposure, and recovering highlights for natural-looking results.

Retouching
Automatically enhances portraits with dark circle reduction, skin smoothing, and teeth whitening.

Creative Filters
A collection of stylized photo and video filters, including modern color looks, black-and-white treatments, and film-inspired styles. Filters can be applied with a single tap.

Tool Groups & Controls

Within each tab, tools are organized into groups.

Use the slider to control the strength of each tool. Higher values apply stronger adjustments. A value of zero applies no correction.

Use the toggle next to a group name to turn the entire group on or off.

To enable or disable an individual tool, check or uncheck the box next to its name.

Saving Presets

To save a preset after making adjustments:

  1. Click Save Preset in the lower-right corner.
  2. Select the preset group where you want to save it.
  3. Enter a name for the preset.
  4. (Optional) Add a description. You can view this later by selecting See Info from the three-dot menu next to the preset name.

Other Tools

Auto Crop
Automatically crops images to maintain consistent head sizes and eye alignment. See the Workbench documentation for instructions on testing Auto Crop.

Face Detection
Displays detected faces in the image.

  • Eyes appear green when open and red when closed.
  • Mouths appear green when smiling and red when not.

Flip & Rotate
Allows you to flip or rotate the image.

For any further questions regarding Workbench, you can always contact your Perfectly Clear account representative or get in touch with us here.

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