|  | # Quick Tutorial of Photomatix Pro |
## Step 4: Prepare the HDR image for output The generated HDR image looks disappointing... This is because it can't be represented properly on screen without further processing. An unprocessed HDR image is in a way similar to a film negative, or the RAW file of a digital camera. It needs further processing for display or printing. In Photomatix, this processing is called Tone Mapping. Tone mapping reveals the details in highlights and shadows contained in the original HDR image. It converts the HDR image in 32 bits/channel mode into an image in 16 or 8 bits/channel mode that can be saved as TIFF or JPEG. To tone map your HDR image, click on the Tone Mapping button on the HDR viewer window.
Note: Before processing through Tone Mapping, you may want to save the HDR image using the Save HDR As from the File menu. This allows you to process the same HDR image in different ways later on.