If you are interested in photo editing, you might have noticed sharp edges in pictures that look odd. These odd sharp points can be removed by feathering in Photoshop.
The term “Feathering” in Photoshop refers to softening the edges of images or drawings, which you may need frequently. For blending photographs, softening edges, or making targeted alterations to your images, it’s quite a dependable process.
In this following discussion, you will learn how to feather edges in photoshop.
What is “Feathering”?
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In Photoshop, the term feather describes delicate edges. These soft borders surrounding a selection remove harsh edges, merge pictures beautifully, or apply targeted modifications to specific objects in an image.
Additionally, you can use it to mix brush modifications, fade certain areas of an image, and give cutouts a more realistic appearance. You can use Photoshop’s brush tool or selections to change the feather setting.
Why should you use feathering in Photoshop?
Feathering in Photoshop is used to soften the edges of a selection or a layer mask. This can help to create a more natural and subtle transition between the selected area and the surrounding pixels. Feathering can also help to reduce the visibility of jagged edges that can occur when making selections or masks, particularly when working with low-resolution images. It can also be used to create a subtle vignette effect by decreasing the feather amount in the edges of an image.
How to Feather Edges in Photoshop [Step by step guideline]
To give your photographs or designs a smoother appearance, you must understand how to use Photoshop’s feather edges.
Follow the process of feathering edges in Photoshop given below:
Step 1: View the picture
The first thing you should do after starting Adobe Photoshop is open the picture you want to feather. We advise using photos of a high caliber.
Step 2: Choose the portion of the image you wish to feather
- To choose a specific area of an image, Photoshop provides several techniques. The ‘Elliptical Marquee Tool’ in the left corner of the screen will be your go-to tool because it is the easiest.
- After you have chosen the area of your image you want to feather, a dotted circle will show up there.
Step 3: Feather your selected area
- Look at the feathering procedure now that you have decided on the area to feather.
- Then, choose “Select” from the menu and click on “Select and Mask.” You may also locate this function in the upper right corner of the screen.
- After you select it, a menu similar to this one labelled “Properties” will appear.
Step 4: Shift Edge and Feather
- Adjust the value of Feather in the section where it says “Feather,” and the results appear on the screen.
- Keep in mind that the borders will get blurrier as the feather value increases when individuals inquire about using feather edges in Photoshop.
- It is better to select a figure between 40 and 60 pixels, although this choice will be highly influenced by how you want to use the image.
- If you select higher, your image will be completely blurred; if you select lower, your image will resemble a circle, which you need to avoid.
- Keep the “Shift Edge value” 0.
- To make the modifications to the option, click “OK.”
- When you click “OK,” the “Feather” effect will no longer be visible on the screen, but your chosen image will still be visible.
Step 5: Copy the selected portion to another layer
- Copy the selected area from the primary picture. You may overlay a colorful backdrop with it or set it over another image.
- In Windows, press “Ctrl + C” to copy the choices. Then, press “Ctrl + V” to paste it into a new layer.
- Remove the first layer from view, and there you are.
Step 6: Put in the last changes
- After feathering the image, you may apply it as you like to come up with creative patterns.
- You may also modify the backdrop color or add a background picture or new layer on top of it.
- Select “Edit,” then “Fill,” and then choose your preferred color to fill it with.
- Click ‘OK,’and now you have found your new Background.
To Wrap Up
There are always several methods to get whatever you want with Adobe Photoshop, one of its finest features. Every technique has benefits and drawbacks, and you will find several solutions for every issue.
It’s vital to understand those approaches for a task when you are working with Photoshop so that you may use your skills in various situations. Just keep polishing your skills to perfection.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does feathering an edge mean?
Adding “soft edges” to a picture using Photoshop is referred to as feathering. An excellent method to combine photos, emphasize an object inside an image, or soften sharp edges for online graphics is to create a soft edge around a selection.
How do I soften the edges of a shape in Photoshop?
- Select the picture’s editing mode. To carry out the following procedures, every object must be transformed into a picture.
- Turn a vector object into an image if it isn’t already one, and select “Modify > Image Object” (Fireworks 1) or “Modify > Merge Images.”
- Choose the pixels with a feathered border within the picture using a tool like a marquee, lasso, or magic wand.
- Set the feather radius by choosing “Select > Feather” or “Edit > Feather” (in Fireworks 1 and Fireworks 2 and 3, respectively).
- Select ‘OK.’
- Remove the extra area in the selection to create the complete feather effect.
How do I get rid of jagged edges in Photoshop?
- Open Photoshop and then the image by selecting the program’s icon.
- From the toolbox on the left side of the page, choose the Blur tool. A sign of a grey teardrop will be there.
- While holding the left mouse button, trace the ragged edges with the blur tool. The blur tool smoothes only the areas where you click and move the cursor.
How do I fade the edges of a photo in Photoshop?
- Select ‘Feather’ from the drop-down menu and click ‘Select’ in the top menu bar, then click ‘Modify’ at the top. The Feather Selection dialogue box will be there on the screen.
- Then, input the desired number and select OK in the Feather area. Between 20 and 40 pixels are available for selection as the pixel value.
- You may try changing the value later if you want another result. How rapidly the Feather fades in your image is fixed by the feather radius.
