To use the Refine Edge tool in Photoshop, you typically start by making an initial selection, then enter the "Select and Mask" workspace where the Refine Edge brush is located.
The process involves:
- Making an Initial Selection: Begin by selecting the subject or area you want to isolate. As referenced, a common starting point is using the Quick Selection Tool.
- Accessing Select and Mask: Once you have an initial selection, click on the "Select and Mask" button. This opens a dedicated workspace specifically designed for refining selections.
- Using Automated Selection (Optional): Within the Select and Mask workspace, you can often use automated tools to enhance your selection. The reference specifically mentions clicking "Select Subject". This is useful for automatically detecting the main subject in your image.
- Enabling Decontaminate Colors (Optional but Recommended): The reference also points out the option to "enable decontaminate colors". This helps remove color fringing or halos around the edge of your selection, especially on complex backgrounds.
- Using the Refine Edge Brush: This is where you use the Refine Edge Brush itself. As stated in the reference, "this brush basically removes hard to select" areas, particularly soft edges like hair, fur, or translucent objects that are difficult to select accurately with standard tools. You paint over the edges you want to refine, and Photoshop analyzes the pixels to determine which ones should be part of the selection.
Key Steps for Refining Edges
Here's a breakdown of the workflow, incorporating the referenced information:
- Step 1: Initial Selection: Use a tool like the Quick Selection Tool to get a base selection.
- Step 2: Open Select and Mask: Click the "Select and Mask" button in the Options bar.
- Step 3: Use Select Subject (Optional): Click "Select Subject" in the Properties panel for an automated start.
- Step 4: Enable Decontaminate Colors (Optional): Check the "Decontaminate Colors" box in the Output Settings section to help clean up edges.
- Step 5: Activate Refine Edge Brush: Select the Refine Edge Brush tool from the toolbar on the left side of the Select and Mask workspace.
- Step 6: Paint to Refine: Carefully paint over the edges you need to refine, such as hair or intricate details. The brush helps Photoshop intelligently refine the selection boundary in these challenging areas.
The Refine Edge brush is a powerful component within the Select and Mask workspace, specifically designed to handle the tricky parts of selection making, improving the accuracy and quality of your cutouts.
