How to use Refine Edge tool in Photoshop

When processing images in Photoshop, having perfect selections allows users to manipulate in more detail. But the Pen and Lasso tools don't help easily capture small details in complicated areas. The Magic Wand tool may be helpful, but not very stable.

If the selection is incorrect, the design will be affected. Don't worry, because Photoshop's Refine Edge tool can help solve this problem. Refine Edge is one of the most useful functions that Photoshop CC provides. Let's find out more details in the following article!

When should I use Refine Edge in Photoshop?

You can use Refine Edge on any image, but this tool is really powerful when the foreground part is selected in contrast to the background behind.

Refine Edge is also very useful when working with images with complex edges, such as hair (which will be covered in detail in this tutorial).

After learning how to use Refine Edge, readers can use this tool on any image. This tool is especially useful when changing photo backgrounds. Gradually, users will learn how Refine Edge is best used on images. Now also learn how to use Refine Edge!

How to use Refine Edge in Photoshop?

Step 1: Create a basic selection

You can use the Refine Edge tool on the entire image, but to get better results, help Photoshop focus on the area you care about. This is the image the article will use:

To separate the subject from the background, we will create a selection that covers the entire part of the girl's hair. Creating a selection will be difficult (if not impossible) with the Pen tool, especially the area on the left.

However, before starting to use the Refine Edge tool, create a basic selection. First, copy the layer by right-clicking on Layer 0 and selecting Duplicate Layer. After that, name the new layer 'Background'.

Use the Pen tool to outline the woman's face and narrow the selection around the hair.

Now, select the Paths tab , right-click on the Work Path and turn this path into a selection.

Finally, turn that selection into a layer mask.

Step 2: Open Select and Mask

Nothing happens to the image when adding mask layer. To see the selection more clearly, make the Background layer invisible.

Now, you will better visualize the selected area. To access the Refine Edge tool, open the Select and Mask window. Select the Rectangular Marquee tool (shortcut M ) or the Lasso tool (shortcut L ).

You will see a button in the menu bar named Select and Mask . Click that button to open a new window.

Note : To see where the Refine Edge tool makes changes easier, the author added a layer and filled it with pink.

Select Refine Edge Brush Tool .

Step 3: Scan to selection

With the Refine Edge Brush Tool selected, scan around the edges that Photoshop wants to tweak. However, before starting, change the brush size if needed. Size options on the menu bar allow users to quickly increase or decrease the brush size.

Starting with a large brush, then switching to a smaller brush may be a good idea.

Now scan through the edges.

Photoshop extracts contrast pixels for the selection much faster than using a manual tool. As you can see, the selection is not perfect (it's only a lot faster than the manual method). Continue scanning until you get the desired selection.

Step 4: Refine the selection

Once you've created the selection with the Refine Edge tool, it's time to make some adjustments to improve the selection. The first option to try is Decontaminate Colors. In the Properties tab , scroll down until you see the Decontaminate Colors check box . Check that and check the results.

Here you can see the difference:

In the example case, some edges will be slightly sharper, so the Decontaminate Colors option will remain the same.

Below this check box, you will find options for Output To :. You can add this selection to a new layer mask or to an existing layer mask. For example, select Layer Mask to add it to the current mask.

Click OK.

Now, we can make some adjustments. For example, in this area, the Refine Edge tool made part of the hair become transparent.

Select the layer mask and the Brush tool (shortcut B ). Set the foreground color to black and paint over the ignored area.

You can use a brush to 'clean up' any unsatisfied selection. Once you have the desired selection, you can start adjusting the background.

Although edge detection tools are very advanced in Photoshop, they are not perfect. So you will need to practice with them and adjust the final selections, such as using a very small brush to capture the little details that Photoshop can't do.

You can also experiment with Refine Edge settings, such as Feather and Contrast, to see how they affect the selections. Like any other Photoshop tool, it takes a while to master Refine Edge.

But in practice, you can become a 'master' of refining the edge and taking advantage of all Photoshop techniques.

Hope you are succesful.