Tom,
KPT filters don’t effect the way gausian blur works. I think you are misunderstanding what gausian blur does. It will blur to the specified radius all pixels in the selection equally leaving a hard edge where it meets the selection. The outside edge looks "fuzzy" because it is blurring opaque and transparent pixels. If you take a closer look the diameter of your circle will actually be larger than what you started with because of the blurring.
Now there are ways to do what you want. One way would be to duplicate the layer first. select the object and create a layer mask. Now use the your technique on the layer mask and the object 1 at a time. The layer mask will dictate what parts of the blurred image you wish to display.
Ok, that being said….can you explain in greater detail the operations to achieve what I’m after.
Specifically…the "layer mask" part. I work in Photoshop every day, but admittedly have some big holes in my skills. One is the layer mask…I guess I have no idea what it is, how it functions, what it’s benefits are, and how exactly to implement it in achieving the "fuzzy fadeout" I’m after on the edges of an image.
Can you give me the "Fuzzy Edge tutorial for Dummies"? And if you have, can you give me the "Fuzzy Edge Tutorial for Even Bigger Dummies"? Thanks for your patience.
I really appreciate your help. 🙂
Tom
I found a simple way if you have a solid background and all you want is for it to fade out at the edges.
Create your object on a new layer and texture it. Go to Layer -> Layer Style -> Inner Glow.
Set Blend Mode to Normal.
Set Opacity Slider to 100%
Set the color the same as the background color.
Adjust size as needed.
Click ok and you should have the effect you are looking for.
Photo help,
Thanks for the "inner glow" tip……I’ve actually done that before using a white background. Normally I use a transparent background.
The problem is when I have several layers with a texture layer on "top"….and need to fuzz out the edge of that "top" image layer so that it appears to blur into the image layer below it.
I suppose I could use the "blur" tool and manually "touch up" the entire perimeter…but that is a pain in the rump and I was hoping for a much simpler function.
This seems like it should be a basic function of PS, don’t you think? To be able to automatically be able to apply a "gradient edge blur" to a selection.
Is there anything I can do to blur out the edges of an image located on a "top" layer in which there are several other image layers below, and which extend beyond the space used by the top layer?
Thanks for your brainstorming on this.
Tom,
Ok, Here we go.
Create your top layer with the shape finish it up to the point before blurring. CTRL-J (Duplicate the layer) and go back to the original layer (Which should be below the duplicate).
1) Lock the transparency and fill with white.
2) Unlock transparency.
3) CTRL-CLick the layer and contract the selection (like you were before).
4) Invert selection and CTRL-X (Cut).
5) Apply your blur to the entire layer.
6) Go to the duplicate and CTRL-G (Group with previous)
Sorry I didn’t think to do this in the first place. You can still do the same thing with a layer mask. The "tutorial" is just a little more difficult to type up.
Select your top layer and add a layer mask. Activate the layer mask by clicking on it, put a black frame (vary the size according to your need) on the layer mask (this will reveal the underlying layers). Apply a gaussian blur at the black frame on the layer mask.
To make the layer mask an easier way. CTRL-Click the layer you wish to blur. Contract the selection. Go to Layer -> Add layer Mask -> Reveal selection. Now add the gaussian blur.
Note: Make sure the radius of the gaussian blur does not exceed 1/2 the distance of the contraction. For Example if you contract the selection 16 Pixels before adding the layer mask do not set your gaussian blur radius above 8 pixels.
Photo help –
I went step-by-step on your instructions but it didn’t do it for me….the only way I could get a blur at all was to go back to "layers" (after your "Reveal" step) and click on "remove layer mask" and then apply…..but then I got the equal blur from outside the selection to inside the selection……not the "fadeout/edge blur" type of blur I’m looking for.
When I followed your steps…nothing at all blurred when I added the Gaussian Blur step regardless of the slider position……it didn’t blur inside or outside the selected area.
Am I missing something? Pretend I’m a three year old and go through each step leaving nothing to the imagination. Sorry I’m so dense about this. I really appreciate your help.
Eco – you lost me on "black frame" …. can you detail this more for me?
Thanks….and again, I apologize for being so difficult a student. Thanks for hanging in there…I’d be so grateful if I could get through this.
Tom,
I want you to figure it out yourself so that you’ll find out how layer mask works. So instead of making a frame at your layer mask, try to put a circular gradient from black (foreground color) to white (background color) to the layer mask of your top layer and see what happens.
eco
Photo – Exactly what I was looking for! But I swear I did this for the last 3 years by using the Gaussian Blur filter….I can’t understand why "Blammo!", now it doesn’t do it. I can’t see where my files are layed out any differently.
But yes, that’s it Photo….
Can you go though a simple step-by-step, assuming I’m a total beginner, and guide me through it? I’d be the happiest camper! Thanks a ton.
In the mean time, I’ll try and work through your last instructions again….
Tom
Dang, I tried running through your tutorial Photo…but I didn’t end up anywhere near your results….
I must have been working on one of the wrong layers or something…..can you re-detail this and spoon feed the directions to me? Ie: "now go back to Layer 1 and contract the selection X pixels. Next, make layer 2 active and ……."
Sorry for being so dense….hope I’m not wearing out my welcome.
I’m a visual guy, if I could see it done, i’d pick it right up….thanks for your patience.
Tom
CTRL + N.
Click "OK".
SHIFT + CTRL + N.
Click "OK".
The (new) top layer should be the active layer.
Press the "M" Key (Rectangular Marquee Tool).
Draw a selection.
Edit -> Fill -> Pattern.
Click "OK".
Select -> Modify -> Contract. (10 Pixels should work fine) Layer -> Add layer Mask -> Reveal selection.
Filter -> Blur -> Gaussian Blur. (Radius 4.9 Pixels)
Photo Help –
Thanks a ton for the detail. I got it to work!
My only questions are: Why do you need the bottom, first (blank)layer? And what do you do with that layer after the blur is applied to the top layer which has the texture and fuzzy edge?
I was able to get the same effect by only using one layer, contracting the selection, adding a layer mask, and then applying a blur. So I’m not sure the significance of the two layers.
Also, should I somehow embed the texture layer along with the layer mask or just leave it alone?
Thanks PH….That’s the effect I was trying to achieve.
Tom
Tom,
No problem, glad you got things working the way you wanted. Like Eco said keep playing around now that you know how the layer mask works.
The second layer was to make sure you were on a layer with transparency. Since you were having trouble I was worried you were on a locked background layer. That step was just to make sure you wouldn’t have any problems with the mask.
"I was able to get the same effect by only using one layer, contracting the selection, adding a layer mask, and then applying a blur. So I’m not sure the significance of the two layers."
If your image doesn’t need a background layer feel free to remove it.
"Also, should I somehow embed the texture layer along with the layer mask or just leave it alone?"
If you are asking if you should apply the mask that would depend on what you plan on using this for. If you think you may want to change the mask in the future than leave it there. If you have a slower computer and don’t want to make your system process any more than it needs to you can delete the mask and apply it.
If you have a different layer with the texture on it that you want masked just create the mask on that layer.
Photo Help –
Awesome! Thanks for working that through with me. I sincerely appreciate it. Now I can proceed with a new measure of confidence. Have a great day.
Tom
