How to install Custom Picture Controls and Curves with Nikon Capture NX

(a big thank you to monte12345 from dpreview.com forum who was the first to explain how this process worked)

1. Begin by formatting a memory card in your camera. If you format it with your operating system it will not work. After the camera finishes formatting the card, insert it into your card reader and wait for the operating system to recognize it.

2. Start Nikon Capture NX and open a NEF file to work with. Capture NX requires a NEF file to allow you to open the Picture Control Utility. It does not work with Jpegs or Tif files.

3. Once your NEF file has loaded click on BASE ADJUSTMENTS. It is located on the panel to your right.

4. Click on CAMERA ADJUSTMENTS.

5. Double click on PICTURE CONTROL to open the PICTURE CONTROL panel.

6. Click on the box icon.

7. Click LAUNCH PICTURE CONTROL UTILITY

8. The Picture Control Utility will open up.

9. Click on NEW to create a new Picture Control.

10. Name your Picture Control accordingly ( you can always rename it later).  Click OK.

11. Click on USE CUSTOM CURVE

12. At this time you can either choose to LOAD a custom tone curve or you can create your own. If you would like to LOAD a custom tone curve simply click on the LOAD button and search for the curve on your computer. If you would like to create your own you can simply tweak the curve to your liking. After you are satisfied with the curve click on SAVE to store it on your computer.

**** You can change the default picture to your own NEF file by clicking on the SAMPLE IMAGE button. You can then locate your own NEF file to work on.

13. To export your Picture Control to use in your camera make sure that your curve is highlighted in the STORED PICTURE CONTROLS BOX. Click on EXPORT. (You might get a warning if you did not save your curve, you can either cancel and go back to save the curve, or you can continue without saving. The software is talking about the curve you modified in step 12 and not the Picture control that you are exporting to your camera)

14. Now you choose which location you would like to save your Custom Picture Control in. There is space for up to 99 Picture Controls, I'm not sure why so many, but it's there if you need it.

15. Click OK and the Picture Control will be loaded to your memory card automatically.

16. You can repeat these steps as many times as you'd like (actually 99 is the limit per compact flash card session). Once you are ready to transfer the Custom Picture Controls you have created to your camera, simply remove the memory card from your card reader and insert it into your camera.

17. Power on your camera and click on the MENU button.

18. Go to the Shooting Menu.

19. Go to MANAGE PICTURE CONTROL and click OK or push RIGHT on the Multi Selector.

20. Scroll down to LOAD/SAVE and push OK.

21. Then select COPY TO CAMERA and push OK.

22. Select the Picture Control you would like to load and push OK to confirm. The screen will show the settings for the Picture Control, push OK.

23. Choose an empty location to Save the Picture Control to.

24. Rename the Picture Control if you would like and push OK.

25. Congratulations the Picture Control is loaded and ready to use. You can select it by going to the SHOOTING MENU and select SET PICTURE CONTROL. Choose the Picture Control you would like to use and push OK.

26. Enjoy!!