Adobe Photoshop CS2 On Demand [Electronic resources]

Using the Healing Brush and Patch Tools

Since these tools have become my favorite tools for working and correcting problems with digital images. The Healing Brush tool allows you to correct small imperfections, making them disappear into the surrounding image. This tool works from a sample of the original image, and then matches the texture, lighting, transparency, and shading of the sampled pixels into the source pixels. If an image contains a lot of random noise, before working with the Healing brush try lowering the amount of noise with the new Reduce Noise filter. Once applied you can use the Healing brush to clean up the rest of the troubled areas. The Patch tool works with the Healing Brush tool. It takes a sample and matches the texture, lighting, transparency, and shading of the sample to the source, creating an almost seamless repair of the image. You can also use the Patch tool to clone isolated areas of an image. When you use healing operations in a separate layer, you gain control over the process; you can even use the opacity and blending mode settings to further control the healing process. Always use the Healing brush in a separate layer… always.

Use the Healing Brush Tool

Select the

Healing Brush tool.

Select a soft round brush on the Options bar.

Create a new layer above the layer you want to modify.

Select the

Sample All Layers option.

Hold the Alt (Win) or Option (Mac) key, and then click on the area of the image for a sample.

This area should represent the texture (not color) of the areas you want to heal.

Use small short strokes and carefully drag over the areas you want to change, then release your mouse and move to the next area.

The Healing brush works to match the sample to the source.

If the texture of the area you are healing changes, repeat step 4, and sample a different area of the image.

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Use the Patch Tool

Select the

Patch tool.

Select the layer you want to modify.

Using the Patch tool, select the damaged area of the image you want to repair (the Patch tool functions just like the Lasso selection tool).

Click the

Source option on the Options bar.

Move into the middle of the selection marquee, and drag the selection over the area you want to repair and release. As you drag you will see a copy of the area you are moving over appear in the original selection.

Release your mouse when you see the best match.

The Patch tool corrects the damaged area of the image.

Repeat steps 2 through 6 to patch any other damaged areas of the image.

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