Essential AI Window Pull Mask for Architectural Photography Workflow

Urgent Feature Request: Essential AI Window Pull Mask for Architectural Photography Workflow

To the Capture One Development Team,

I am writing on behalf of the significant number of Architectural and Real Estate photographers who rely on Capture One Pro as their primary editing application. For years, the community has repeatedly requested a critical feature necessary for professional interior photography: an automated, intelligent window masking tool (a "Window Pull Mask").

Despite the numerous posts and evident need, this functionality remains unaddressed, forcing users into highly inefficient, external workflows.

The Problem and Its Business Impact

Architectural photography requires precise control over exposure balance, particularly when blending interior and exterior light sources. We frequently use RAW merged bracket files where the necessary dynamic range data exists, but the current masking tools—including luminosity masks and manual painting—yield subpar, inconsistent results.

This forces us to:

Export to Photoshop solely for the tedious process of complex window layer selection and blending.

Significantly increase processing time, harming our efficiency and profitability.

Break the core benefit of the Capture One workflow, which should keep us in a non-destructive RAW environment.

The Required Solution: AI-Powered "Window Pull Mask"

Given the advanced masking tools already available (e.g., for humans, backgrounds, etc.), creating an AI-driven tool for windows should be highly achievable. Windows possess predictable characteristics:

They are predominantly square or rectangular.

They feature straight lines and distinct casing borders.

The area within the glass is often overexposed or blown out.

We need a mask that can automatically and accurately select the glass pane area, while omitting the casing, sashes, muntins, and any adjacent curtains or treatments.

A Competitive and Retention Necessity

This isn't a niche request; it is a fundamental need for an entire professional segment. I, along with many others, have supported Capture One for years with perpetual license purchases. However, the absence of this basic, industry-standard necessity is now a deal-breaker.

We urge the Capture One team to prioritize the development of this AI-based Window Pull Mask. Fulfilling this common request is essential for retaining architectural photography professionals and maintaining your competitive edge against other software solutions.