Almost everyone is familiar with Photoshop and its basic uses. However, design enthusiasts and photographers use this cutting-edge software in designs and digital photography to tweak images and pictures.
To cater to the varying needs of end users, new features are constantly added to Photoshop for betterment.
One of the recent additions is the Content-Aware technology/tool. It has actually stormed the design and photography world by leaps and bounds.
However, you should get familiar with the basics of the tool to use it effectively. Here is how to use the tool.
What is Content-Aware?
In a nutshell, it is a technology that enriches the capabilities of various tools within Photoshop.
The technology assists in removing, patching, filling, scaling and extending pixels in any rasterized images including digital photography. It shows in various tools throughout the Photoshop software.
However, the technology behaves in accordance with the tool where it is applied. When activated, the technology recognizes and identifies the content in the image to determine how to make up the differences made in the processes of editing.
Designers, as well as photographers, can now use this tool to give special effects and add enrichment to their images for better results.
How to use Content Aware?
Using the tool is pretty simple. The technology comes with so many handy instructions. However, you should learn the tricks properly for efficient usage.
The technology lets you move, remove, patch, fill and scale the objects (in the image) and images in Photoshop.
Content Aware Fill Tool
Let’s begin with the simplest option – the Content-Aware Fill. This option is good for smaller areas.
- First of all, upload the desired image. Use a lasso tool to highlight the area.
- Then go to Edit>Fill and use the pull-down menu for highlighting Content-Aware.
- Finally, click on OK. The Content-Aware technology will fill up the highlighted spot with pixels it can pull from the surrounding parts.
However, this doesn’t work very well for larger areas. Although the tool will work just as it does in small areas, the end result is unprofessional.
The image will look smudgy and blur. You can easily overcome this problem by expending time and working with smaller areas.
For instance, you can select a small portion of the larger image and use the Content-Aware Fill option.
Once you are done with a small area, you can extend the same work on other areas of the image. In this way, you will get desired results for the whole image using the Fill.
The Content-Aware Patch Tool
Now let us move onto something that presents a few more levels of fineness to your digital photography – the Content-Aware Patch Tool.
- To start with, upload the image in Photoshop and highlight the area to be patched. You will find the Patch Tool below the Spot Healing Brush Tool.
- Click on it and you will get choices as Color and Structure.
The Structure option that matches quality and texture has seven levels, while the Color option has up to 10 levels.
- Choose the levels and click OK to patch up the area. Make sure you choose a small area first for patching.
- When you have completed patching on this smaller area, repeat the same process by selecting other areas till the image is completely patched up as desired.
Note that the Content-Aware Patch and Fill tools can also be used for removing objects from the image.
The Content-Aware Move Tool
In digital photography, you might often come across images filled with objects you no longer want or wish to move an object to a particular location.
It is here the Content-Aware Move Tool comes in handy. You can find this tool below the Patch Tool under the Spot Healing Brush Tool.
- Upload the image in the Photoshop software and just marquee the portion that you wish to move with the use of the lasso tool.
It is best to give a lot of space around the picture as it generates the best results and let you complete the work effortlessly.
- In case the image has drop shadows, include them in the marquee. With the use of the Move Tool highlighted, re-position the image where you wish to move the image.
- Once you are satisfied with the positioning, double-click on your object to start the calculations. Give some time to the algorithm to make necessary adjustments.
Within 30 seconds, you will find that the object has moved and the area where the object used to be is now filled up with a perfect background.
However, the tool doesn’t give instant result in your first try. You will need to use it constantly to get used to with the option as well as the overall tool.
Content-Aware Scaling Tool
It is a cool feature for sizing images. The method lets you reshape and re-size image without distorting the composition and content of the image.
Additionally, it preserves the image quality in a much better manner than traditional transformation methods.
- To start with, upload the image in Photoshop and choose the desired layer in the Layers panel.
- Next, choose Edit>Content Aware Scale.
- Specify the options including the reference point, positioning, amount and protection.
- After choosing the options, click and drag one of the handles of the scale box surrounding the layer or selection for re-sizing the image.
- Once completed, double-click inside the scale box or press “enter” on your keyboard.
Bottom line
Photoshop has always presented designers, image creators, and photographers with a wealth of handy tools within the software.
Content-Aware is one such innovative tool that can take your image creation and editing process to a new level.
All you should do is get familiar with the usage of this handy tool to produce the best results. If you lack info in this matter, just check the above tips and guide on how to use the Content-Aware technology in Photoshop.
ithin no time, you could be using the tool like a pro for digital photography and design chores.
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