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Do you want to learn how to smooth edges in Photoshop?

Smoothing edges in Photoshop is a vital skill for any real estate photographer or Photoshop enthusiast. It enhances the visual appeal of your images, making them appear more natural and polished.

In this guide, we’ll cover 3 simple yet effective techniques on how to smooth edges in Photoshop to conceal flaws and enhance your photos. 

Let’s first take a look at why smoothing edges in your images is important to enhance their overall visual appeal.

Why Should You Smooth Edges in Photoshop?

how to smooth edges in photoshop

Whether you’re a real estate photographer or a passionate Photoshop user, smoothing edges can make your images look more polished and professional. 

Sharp edges can sometimes make photos look unnatural. By smoothing edges, you ensure a cleaner, more appealing finish. 

Smoothing edges in your images is beneficial for the following reasons:

  • Enhanced Visual Appeal – Smooth edges create a more refined and professional look
  • Natural Aesthetic – It helps blend objects seamlessly into backgrounds, making them appear more realistic
  • Focus on Key Elements – By smoothing edges, you can guide viewers’ attention to the main subjects of your photos
  • Tweaking Your Design – Smoothing out textured elements can help you create a sleeker look for your graphic
  • Finetuning After Object Removal – After removing unwanted objects in your photos, smoothing the edges will help to cover up the evidence of removing the object

Overall, smoothing or softening the edges of your images can help to conceal flaws, enhance visual appeal, and make them look more professional. 

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How to Smooth Edges in Photoshop (3 Techniques)

With this in mind, let’s show you how to smooth edges in Photoshop using 3 different techniques, starting with the anti-aliasing method.

You can either watch the video tutorial or continue reading the text below:

1. The Anti-Aliasing Method

Anti-Aliasing is a technique used to smooth jagged edges by blending the edge pixel with the background pixels. 

Here’s how to use it:

Step 1. To smooth edges using Anti-Aliasing, first launch Photoshop and open the image you want to edit.

Step 2. Use a selection tool like the Lasso Tool or Magic Wand Tool to select the object with rough edges.

Step 3. When using the selection tool, ensure the “Anti-Alias” option is checked in the Options bar at the top. This will smooth the edges of your selection by blending the pixels along the edge.

2. Using Feathering

Feathering is an easy feature to help you smoothen edges quickly.

Step 1. To smooth edges using Featherings, go to Select> Modify> Feather.

Step 2. Enter a value for the feather radius and click OK. This will create a soft transition between the selection and the surrounding pixels.

3. The Blur Tool Method

The Blur Tool allows manual smoothing of edges by blurring the pixels. This is ideal for selective smoothing. This is how to do it:

Step 1. To smooth edges using Blur Tool, select the Blur Tool from the toolbar.

Step 2. Next, adjust your Brush Settings. In the Options bar, adjust the brush size and strength according to your needs. A larger brush size and lower strength are usually better for subtle smoothing.

Step 3. Carefully paint over the edges you want to smooth. Use short strokes and gradually build up the effect to avoid overblurring.

Step 4. Lastly, zoom in to check the edges and make additional adjustments as needed

And there you have it! You have now learned how to smooth edges in Photoshop using three simple yet effective techniques.

FAQ

When should you smooth edges in Photoshop—before or after other edits?

It’s recommended to smooth edges at the end of your editing process. This is because adjustments like transformations, warping, or applying filters can create new jagged edges that will need further smoothing.

How does smoothing edges impact image quality in Photoshop?

Applying a slight edge smoothing won’t significantly affect image quality. 

However, using excessive smoothing can blur details and soften the image. It’s best to use this tool sparingly and apply it selectively with masking techniques.

What tools should you use to smooth edges in Photoshop?

You can smooth edges in Photoshop using anti-aliasing, feathering, or the Blur tool.

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With the techniques presented above, you’ll be able to smooth edges in Photoshop and enhance your photos. 

But let’s face it, editing photos can take up precious time and effort. And maybe you need help with more advanced editing as well?

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We hope this guide helped you learn how to smooth edges in Photoshop. Before you go, you may want to check out the following resources as well:

Stina Pettersson

Professional Blogger

Stina is an entrepreneur, digital marketer, and professional blogger who's passionate about real estate photo editing, being outdoors with her pup, and sweaty gym sessions. She loves the written word and has been writing for publications like Forbes and Thrive Global. Originally from Sweden, she's called South Florida her home since 2013.

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