This component is obsolete and its use in filters is not recommended. Use the recent version of the component.
The Step component generates a step function which provides a transition from the output level of 0 to the level of 100%. Depending on the width of the transition zone (specified by the Smooth parameter), the transition can be smooth or sharp. This component is specially designed to have the curve always start at 0 and end at 100% (unless Invert is turned on) with any value of Threshold. This is a curve component, it can be located in the Curves category on the Components Bar.
Threshold: Map Input
Defines the position of the transition zone center. Smaller values shift the position to the left, greater values shift it to the right. Since Threshold is a map input, its value can be controlled separately for different image areas by connecting a map component to this input.
Smooth: Map Input
Defines the width of the transition zone. When set to 0, the transition zone has zero width, which makes the transition sharp. In this case, the Shape and Linear parameters have no effect. Since Smooth is a map input, its value can be controlled separately for different image areas by connecting a map component to this input.
Note that the actual width of the transition zone also depends on the Threshold value. If the resulting zone goes beyond the visible range of the curve, its width is clipped so that the entire transition zone always fits in the visible range, and it is still centered around the center point specified by Threshold. For example, if the transition zone center is set to 10, and Smooth is set to 40, the resulting range will be -10 to 30, which will be clipped to the range of 0 to 20.
Shape: Map Input
Adjusts the shape of the transition zone. Technically, this is done by remapping the amplitude of the entire transition zone with a Bias curve. Negative values make the transition curve more concave; positive values make it more convex. This parameter has no effect when Smooth is set to 0. Since Shape is a map input, its value can be controlled separately for different image areas by connecting a map component to this input.
When turned on, the transition zone is linear, otherwise it is smooth. This parameter has no effect when Smooth is set to 0.
Inverts the curve, converting its value at each point to its opposite: 0.05 to 0.95, 0.25 to 0.75 etc.
