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Blurring a hard edge

Discussion in 'Photoshop' started by kenoli, Nov 11, 2016.

  1. #1
    I commonly have a need to add a layer with a hard edge on top of a background layer. The top layer is commonly a figure with no background, not even a transparent background.

    I then need to slightly blur the edge of that figure so it doesn't stand out from the background too sharply. What I imagine I should be able to do is to drag along the edge and soften it using, say, the healing brush tool. This doesn't work, however as there is nothing beyond the edge for the tool to blend with. Is there some way I can just blur the hard edge of the figure on the top layer?

    Thanks,

    --Kenoli
     
    kenoli, Nov 11, 2016 IP
  2. Chris-

    Chris- Greenhorn

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    #2
    On way would be to add a layer mask to the figure, select the space outside the figure, Fill that area of the mask with black, then either Gaussian blur the mask, or first expand the selection, Fill it, then blur.

    Hope that helps !

    Chris
     
    Chris-, Feb 12, 2017 IP
  3. cadavr

    cadavr Active Member

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    #3
    I guess a drop shadow wont give you the effect you're looking for?
     
    cadavr, Mar 6, 2017 IP
  4. csalmon

    csalmon Peon

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    #4
    I agree with Chris → layer masks and blur the edges, sometimes I need to manual brush a blur around the subject if the level of gaussian blur doesn't work for the whole subject/background
     
    csalmon, Apr 18, 2017 IP