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ashleymt55
Participant
August 27, 2018
Answered

Refine edge help please [2018]

  • August 27, 2018
  • 5 replies
  • 1063 views

hi, I’m new to photoshop. I’ve been using it for about two months and cannot get the refine edge to work properly. It erases some of my original selection within “moving ants” or whatever they are called, and does not pick up details, mainly hair. I have tried this on multiple, multiple images, with the same result. I have gone back to the old refine edge by holding shift + select and mask, and it doesn’t do any better. I’ve messed with radius, feathering, etc.

I’m on a Mac, don’t know if that makes a difference. It (all of Photoshop) is also super slow on my computer, but I really don’t care as much about that as the fact this tool isn’t working. I’ve watched a gazillion tutorials and read as many threads on how to use it/fix it, without any working result for me.

thank you for any suggestions.

    This topic has been closed for replies.
    Correct answer Trevor.Dennis

    Hi Ashley.   Refine Edge does tend to drive folk mad until they get used to it.   It's been discussed lots of times before, like in this thread.  Note there is a broke link in the thread.  I had Dave Cross' notes from a MAX workshop on my Dropbox account, but I needed the space.

    Re: Refine Edge tool still broken

    What I can tell you is that Refine Edge 'seems' to work better the more you use it, but it is difficult to know exactly why.  That tells me that making it work needs subtle adjustments of the sliders, but that's a guess.   Read the thread and see if that moves you forward.

    If I had to give you just one piece of advice, it would be to output to a new layer with layer mask, and then use other tools to clean up that mask.  That means the Pen tool for hard edges (Ctrl click the path to load it as a selection, and paint inside, or outside the mask with white and black.

    Dave told us a nice story at MAX about how Scott Kelby and thew other Kelby TV experts had been amazed at the quality of his flyaway hair masking.  Dave grinned and admitted that he had in fact painted the hair back in.  That's something I routinely do.   Use a small, fully hard brush with size set to Fade.  Do this on a new layer, and reduce the layer opacity  for best effect.  You can do totally convincing hair this way.    If you want to get more into painting in hair, download Castrochew's skin and hair textures brushes.

    Goog luck, and keep at it.  I promise you'll get there with time.

    5 replies

    M
    marnimum
    Participating Frequently
    February 4, 2024

    Did you ever resolve this issue? I've had it for years - I suspect it might be the driver I have installed, though it's a good one. 
    I came here (again) looking for help - my Photoshop instructor couldn't even help me. It seems to be something no one else has ever seen happen. 😞

    Derek Cross
    Community Expert
    Derek CrossCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    February 4, 2024

    Which version of Photoshop and OS and how much RAM and spare hard disk capacity do you have? And please describe the issue you're having. 
    There have been some changes to selecting subject and refining edges – here's a great tutorial:

    https://photoshopcafe.com/how-to-use-select-and-mask-in-photoshop-refine-edges-on-every-cutout/

      M
      marnimum
      Participating Frequently
      February 4, 2024
      I am using Photoshop 2024. Windows 10 Pro, 16.0 GB RAM, 85.4 GB free
      See photo attached - refine edge erases. I have tried moving Shift Edge and
      Radius, it does the same thing.

      My Advanced Photoshop instructor (Cont Ed at a university) couldn't explain
      it or help me fix it.

      And maybe it's just me, so if you can fix me, that's awesome too!

      Thanks for any help you can provide.
      Marni Farrant
      Trevor.Dennis
      Community Expert
      Trevor.DennisCommunity ExpertCorrect answer
      Community Expert
      August 27, 2018

      Hi Ashley.   Refine Edge does tend to drive folk mad until they get used to it.   It's been discussed lots of times before, like in this thread.  Note there is a broke link in the thread.  I had Dave Cross' notes from a MAX workshop on my Dropbox account, but I needed the space.

      Re: Refine Edge tool still broken

      What I can tell you is that Refine Edge 'seems' to work better the more you use it, but it is difficult to know exactly why.  That tells me that making it work needs subtle adjustments of the sliders, but that's a guess.   Read the thread and see if that moves you forward.

      If I had to give you just one piece of advice, it would be to output to a new layer with layer mask, and then use other tools to clean up that mask.  That means the Pen tool for hard edges (Ctrl click the path to load it as a selection, and paint inside, or outside the mask with white and black.

      Dave told us a nice story at MAX about how Scott Kelby and thew other Kelby TV experts had been amazed at the quality of his flyaway hair masking.  Dave grinned and admitted that he had in fact painted the hair back in.  That's something I routinely do.   Use a small, fully hard brush with size set to Fade.  Do this on a new layer, and reduce the layer opacity  for best effect.  You can do totally convincing hair this way.    If you want to get more into painting in hair, download Castrochew's skin and hair textures brushes.

      Goog luck, and keep at it.  I promise you'll get there with time.

      Marja de Klerk
      Marja de Klerk
      Inspiring
      August 27, 2018

      You can try resetting Select and Mask. In the upper right corner, choose Reset Select and Mask in the dropdown menu.

      Marja de Klerk
      Marja de Klerk
      Inspiring
      August 27, 2018

      What version of Photoshop are you working in?

      A
      ashleymt55Author
      Participant
      August 27, 2018

      Hi, I’m using CC. I just downloaded it two months ago.

      Marja de Klerk
      Marja de Klerk
      Inspiring
      August 27, 2018

      Do you mean Refine Edge as a part of Select and Mask?? Try this workflow:

      • Select your subject with the Quick Selection Tool.
      • Open 'Select and Mask' and zoom in.
      • On the left, choose the Refine Edge tool (or press R). Make the size of the brush so that it covers the edges of your subject and some space around it. Paint over the edges.
      • If you see any ereas that are not right, you can adjust them with the Brush tool (press B).

      Good luck!

        A
        ashleymt55Author
        Participant
        August 27, 2018

        Thanks for your suggestions. Yes, this is what I’ve been doing, but the refine edge is not working properly. It erases some of the solid picture I’ve selected and doesn’t pick up details like hair edges. I’ve seen it listed a problem on many threads but most threads are 1-3 years old, so I assume there is a fix that i’m just unaware of?? Unless everyone just reverted back to an old version, because there was never a solution except to use the old refine edge tool. However for me, that doesn’t work any better than the current. I’m at a loss and think it might be a bug?

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