master Refine Edge and Select & Mask in Photoshop 2024

Welcome to Day 12 of your Photoshop course! Today, Learn how to master Refine Edge and Select & Mask in Photoshop for complex selections like hair. A step-by-step guide with an easy assignment is essential for refining edges on tricky areas like hair, fur, or soft objects. Whether you’re editing portraits or complex objects, this lesson will teach you how to create clean, professional selections.

Selections are vital in Photoshop, but getting precise edges—especially around fine details like hair—can be challenging. The Select and Mask feature helps solve this problem by giving you greater control over edge refinement, making it easier to blend selections seamlessly into different backgrounds.

1. Introduction to the Select and Mask Workspace

The Select and Mask workspace is a specialized interface that lets you refine your selections with precision. It’s a combination of tools and settings designed to help you isolate complex elements from the background, making it easier to cut out objects or people.

• Refine Edge Brush: This helps clean up the edges, particularly for hair or fur.
• Global Refinements: Adjust overall selection settings like smoothness, feathering, contrast, and shift edge.

You can access the Select and Mask workspace after making an initial selection using any selection tool (Magic Wand, Quick Selection, Lasso, etc.).

2. Steps to Use the Select and Mask Workspace

Let’s go step-by-step through using the Select and Mask feature, focusing on how to refine tricky edges like hair or soft details.

a. Step-by-Step Guide to Refine Edges

1. Step 1: Open an image with a person or a complex object.
   • Ideally, use an image where the subject has fine details, like flowing hair or fur.
2. Step 2: Make an initial selection.
   • Use the Quick Selection Tool (press W) to make a rough selection around the person or object. Don’t worry if the edges aren’t perfect—you’ll refine them in the next steps.
3. Step 3: Open the Select and Mask workspace.
   • After making your selection, click the Select and Mask button at the top of the screen (it’s located next to the selection tools). This opens the workspace where you can refine the selection.
4. Step 4: Choose a View Mode.
   • The View Mode lets you see your selection against different backgrounds (on black, on white, overlay, etc.). Choose a mode that makes the edges easiest to see—On Black is usually a good choice for light-colored selections.
5. Step 5: Use the Refine Edge Brush.
   • Select the Refine Edge Brush Tool from the left toolbar. Brush around the hair or complex edges where the selection isn’t clean. This tool is perfect for tricky areas like hair strands or feathers.
6. Step 6: Adjust Global Refinements.
   • After refining with the brush, use the Global Refinements sliders on the right panel to fine-tune the entire selection:
     • Smooth: Smoothens out any jagged edges.
     • Feather: Softens the edges for a more natural transition.
     • Contrast: Sharpens the selection’s edges.
     • Shift Edge: Moves the selection border inward or outward.
7. Step 7: Output your selection.
   • Once you’re happy with the result, choose Output To: New Layer with Layer Mask. This creates a layer mask so you can fine-tune the selection even more if needed.

3. Refining Edges for Hair, Fur, and Other Complex Areas

Refining selections with delicate details like hair requires practice, but the Select and Mask workspace makes it easier. Here are a few tips to help you master edge refinement:

• Use a Small Brush Size: When using the Refine Edge Brush, choose a small brush size to work on small areas at a time. This gives you more control over the final selection.
• Zoom In: Don’t hesitate to zoom in on tricky areas like hair to see the fine details better. Use Ctrl + + (Cmd + +) to zoom in and Ctrl + – (Cmd + -) to zoom out.
• Refine the Edges Gradually: Start by refining broad areas, then gradually move to more detailed sections like individual hair strands. Use the brush gently around the edges to avoid over-selecting.

4. Assignment: Cut Out a Person and Place Them on a New Background

Now it’s time to apply your skills! Your assignment today will help you practice using the Select and Mask workspace by cutting out a person from one image and placing them onto a new background.

Step-by-Step Assignment Guide

1. Step 1: Choose an image of a person with some visible hair.
   • The image should have a background that contrasts with the person’s hair or other complex elements.
2. Step 2: Make an initial selection.
   • Use the Quick Selection Tool to select the person roughly. Focus on getting the larger areas selected first.
3. Step 3: Open the Select and Mask workspace and refine the edges.
   • Use the Refine Edge Brush around the hair and other detailed areas to clean up the selection. Adjust the Global Refinements to make the selection as smooth as possible.
4. Step 4: Output your selection.
   • Choose to output your selection as a New Layer with a Layer Mask. This will separate the person from the original background.
5. Step 5: Add a new background.
   • Open another image in Photoshop to use as your new background. Drag the person you cut out onto this background and position them.
6. Step 6: Adjust the placement and blending.
   • Use the Move Tool to position the person on the new background. If needed, adjust the Layer Mask further to make the edges blend seamlessly with the new environment.

5. Key Tips for Better Results

• Work with High-Resolution Images: The higher the resolution of the image, the easier it will be to make detailed selections.
• Pay Attention to Light and Shadows: When placing a cut-out person on a new background, ensure that the lighting and shadows match to create a realistic result.
• Use Additional Layer Masks: If needed, use layer masks on both the person and the new background to blend the two layers better.

6. Quiz: Select and Mask Workspace

Test your knowledge with this short quiz to see how well you’ve understood the Select and Mask workspace.

1. Which tool is best for refining complex edges like hair?
   • a) Magic Wand
   • b) Refine Edge Brush
   • c) Polygonal Lasso Tool
2. What does the Feather option in Global Refinements do?
   • a) Softens the selection’s edges
   • b) Sharpens the selection
   • c) Increases the selection area
3. Can you refine a selection after creating a layer mask?
   • a) Yes
   • b) No

Answers:

1. b) Refine Edge Brush
2. a) Softens the selection’s edges
3. a) Yes

Congratulations! You’ve completed Day 12, mastering the Select and Mask workspace and learning how to refine complex selections like hair and fur. This is a crucial skill for creating polished, professional Photoshop projects.

Previous Chapter:

• Day 11: Basic Selection Tools – Mastering Magic Wand, Quick Selection, and Lasso

Next Chapter:

• Day 13: Working with Text and Typography – Designing with Fonts

In the next lesson, we’ll explore text and typography, diving into how to design with fonts and create visually appealing layouts with text.