feathering

"Neil" wrote:

Dear All,
I have an image on one layer. I have carefully erased the background of that image, on the same layer, so that it is transparent. I would now like to soften the edge of that layer, perhaps by feathering. How can I do this? Thanks,
Neil

Instead of using the Erase tool, you may want to use the Quick Mark tool which works similar to Advanced Erasing as it gives you the unlimited UNDO features.

Since you already have a carefully erased background (it doesn’t sound like carefully to me else you shouldn’t have this kind of problem in the first place), you still be able to use the Quick Mark command with lesser or more limitation on the final result (why? because you probably already carefully areased part of the foreground).

So I would suggest to start all over from begriming cuz it would give you more room to work with than the already erased background.

1. Making a dupe of the original photo (for safety and you can use to finetune later if needed)

2. Creating another layer and place the Background image here (on lower layer or 2nd layer).

3. ZOOM IN 100-200% (or whatever works best for you) then use Lasso tool to make a quick selection of the foreground or background (whatever works best for you) then delete the background (you know you can use Inverse command to inverse the selection). Remember this is a quick and dirty selection or it doesn’t have to be perfect, or it shouldn’t take more than some seconds to probably 1-2 minutes depending on how handy your hand is.

If you don’t want to use Lasso then of course you can use the ERASE tool with different Opacity setting to do the job. Example, Opacity = 100% and LARGER brush size around the EDGE, then reducing the brush size and opacity around the edge.

4. After done the above you should see the background with dirty edge of the foreground (the object you want to keep). Now

a. Click on the [ o ] Quick Mask command and applying Quick Mask command *directly* around the edge. This sounds too simple but it’s actually is an advanced technique.

b. Paying real close attention to the "Brush Size" and "Opacity". ZOOM IN 200-300+% and use real small brush size, and very low Opacity right on the edge. Using a little larger brush size with low Opacity on area close to the edge which will soften and blending the background + foreground together.

c. For best result, you may need to carefully select a good background so you can hide the error around the edge. Or with good background will cut down the time.

5. IF you have to deal with some HAIR or FUR then I would suggest to take advantage of some HAIR BRUSHES. And if you are good with PEN (tablet) then you shouldn’t have much problem replacing the background.

If you are real good with Quick Mask command, it wouldn’t take more than 1-3 minutes for small print (probably around 1 minute for displaying), and around 10-15 minutes or so for large print (depending on the detail).

6. FINE TUNING, it’s pretty much a license to be sloppy or reducing time spending on the above. So after done the above and you want to correct some error on the main object (foreground) then.

a. Merging the 2 layers above (copied of original and background)

b. Click on the [o] Quick Mask command

c. Studying and carefully UNDO the damage or sloppy by bringing back the *original* to replace the sloppy spot/area that you don’t want to waste to much time on it.

** this is an OPTIONAL for spedding up the whole thing. Or this is an addional trick for speeding thing up. And this is why I can do lot of crazy things in seconds or few short minutes.

Dear Joel,
Thanks for such a detailed reply, it looks like a useful tutorial. I have to come clean and say that I normally use Corel Photopaint, where I could feather an irregular object with one click. However, softening the edges has two functions, one to make look less mechanical and ‘cut out’ and secondly to mask any mistakes. Perhaps Photoshop can do it better. I have to work away from home sometimes and everyone uses Photoshop. It leaves puzzled why Photoshop so completely dominates the market.

"Joel" wrote in message

"Neil" wrote:

Dear All,
I have an image on one layer. I have carefully erased the background of that
image, on the same layer, so that it is transparent. I would now like to soften the edge of that layer, perhaps by feathering. How can I do this? Thanks,
Neil

Instead of using the Erase tool, you may want to use the Quick Mark tool which works similar to Advanced Erasing as it gives you the unlimited UNDO features.

Since you already have a carefully erased background (it doesn’t sound like carefully to me else you shouldn’t have this kind of problem in the first place), you still be able to use the Quick Mark command with lesser or
more limitation on the final result (why? because you probably already carefully areased part of the foreground).

So I would suggest to start all over from begriming cuz it would give you more room to work with than the already erased background.
1. Making a dupe of the original photo (for safety and you can use to finetune later if needed)

2. Creating another layer and place the Background image here (on lower layer or 2nd layer).

3. ZOOM IN 100-200% (or whatever works best for you) then use Lasso tool to
make a quick selection of the foreground or background (whatever works best
for you) then delete the background (you know you can use Inverse command to
inverse the selection). Remember this is a quick and dirty selection or it
doesn’t have to be perfect, or it shouldn’t take more than some seconds to probably 1-2 minutes depending on how handy your hand is.
If you don’t want to use Lasso then of course you can use the ERASE tool with different Opacity setting to do the job. Example, Opacity = 100% and LARGER brush size around the EDGE, then reducing the brush size and opacity
around the edge.

4. After done the above you should see the background with dirty edge of the
foreground (the object you want to keep). Now

a. Click on the [ o ] Quick Mask command and applying Quick Mask command *directly* around the edge. This sounds too simple but it’s actually is an advanced technique.

b. Paying real close attention to the "Brush Size" and "Opacity". ZOOM IN 200-300+% and use real small brush size, and very low Opacity right on the edge. Using a little larger brush size with low Opacity on area close to the edge which will soften and blending the background + foreground together.

c. For best result, you may need to carefully select a good background so you can hide the error around the edge. Or with good background will cut down the time.

5. IF you have to deal with some HAIR or FUR then I would suggest to take advantage of some HAIR BRUSHES. And if you are good with PEN (tablet) then
you shouldn’t have much problem replacing the background.
If you are real good with Quick Mask command, it wouldn’t take more than 1-3 minutes for small print (probably around 1 minute for displaying), and around 10-15 minutes or so for large print (depending on the detail).
6. FINE TUNING, it’s pretty much a license to be sloppy or reducing time spending on the above. So after done the above and you want to correct some
error on the main object (foreground) then.

a. Merging the 2 layers above (copied of original and background)
b. Click on the [o] Quick Mask command

c. Studying and carefully UNDO the damage or sloppy by bringing back the *original* to replace the sloppy spot/area that you don’t want to waste to much time on it.

** this is an OPTIONAL for spedding up the whole thing. Or this is an addional trick for speeding thing up. And this is why I can do lot of crazy
things in seconds or few short minutes.

I have tried it and would give the effect I want. However let me put it another way.
I use the extract command, I create an irregular object, and I want to soften/feather the irregular shape.
Is there a one click solution or do I have to go round the irregular object with something like the magic eraser?
Thanks,
Neil

"Neil" wrote in message

Dear Joel,
Thanks for such a detailed reply, it looks like a useful tutorial. I have to come clean and say that I normally use Corel Photopaint, where I could feather an irregular object with one click. However, softening the edges has two functions, one to make look less mechanical and ‘cut out’ and secondly to mask any mistakes. Perhaps Photoshop can do it better. I have to work away from home sometimes and everyone uses Photoshop. It leaves puzzled why Photoshop so completely dominates the market.
"Joel" wrote in message

"Neil" wrote:

Dear All,
I have an image on one layer. I have carefully erased the background of that
image, on the same layer, so that it is transparent. I would now like to soften the edge of that layer, perhaps by feathering. How can I do this?
Thanks,
Neil

Instead of using the Erase tool, you may want to use the Quick Mark tool which works similar to Advanced Erasing as it gives you the unlimited UNDO
features.

Since you already have a carefully erased background (it doesn’t sound like carefully to me else you shouldn’t have this kind of problem in the first place), you still be able to use the Quick Mark command with lesser or
more limitation on the final result (why? because you probably already carefully areased part of the foreground).

So I would suggest to start all over from begriming cuz it would give you more room to work with than the already erased background.
1. Making a dupe of the original photo (for safety and you can use to finetune later if needed)

2. Creating another layer and place the Background image here (on lower layer or 2nd layer).

3. ZOOM IN 100-200% (or whatever works best for you) then use Lasso tool to
make a quick selection of the foreground or background (whatever works best
for you) then delete the background (you know you can use Inverse command to
inverse the selection). Remember this is a quick and dirty selection or it
doesn’t have to be perfect, or it shouldn’t take more than some seconds to
probably 1-2 minutes depending on how handy your hand is.
If you don’t want to use Lasso then of course you can use the ERASE tool with different Opacity setting to do the job. Example, Opacity = 100% and
LARGER brush size around the EDGE, then reducing the brush size and opacity
around the edge.

4. After done the above you should see the background with dirty edge of the
foreground (the object you want to keep). Now

a. Click on the [ o ] Quick Mask command and applying Quick Mask command *directly* around the edge. This sounds too simple but it’s actually is an advanced technique.

b. Paying real close attention to the "Brush Size" and "Opacity". ZOOM IN
200-300+% and use real small brush size, and very low Opacity right on the edge. Using a little larger brush size with low Opacity on area close to the edge which will soften and blending the background + foreground together.

c. For best result, you may need to carefully select a good background so you can hide the error around the edge. Or with good background will cut down the time.

5. IF you have to deal with some HAIR or FUR then I would suggest to take advantage of some HAIR BRUSHES. And if you are good with PEN (tablet) then
you shouldn’t have much problem replacing the background.
If you are real good with Quick Mask command, it wouldn’t take more than 1-3 minutes for small print (probably around 1 minute for displaying), and
around 10-15 minutes or so for large print (depending on the detail).
6. FINE TUNING, it’s pretty much a license to be sloppy or reducing time spending on the above. So after done the above and you want to correct some
error on the main object (foreground) then.

a. Merging the 2 layers above (copied of original and background)
b. Click on the [o] Quick Mask command

c. Studying and carefully UNDO the damage or sloppy by bringing back the *original* to replace the sloppy spot/area that you don’t want to waste to much time on it.

** this is an OPTIONAL for spedding up the whole thing. Or this is an addional trick for speeding thing up. And this is why I can do lot of crazy
things in seconds or few short minutes.