How to Smooth Edges in Photoshop: Here is an Easy Guide

Working with different clients, I have found that smoothing edges in Photoshop can be a very big task as it's very confusing to do that, and can ruin the whole image if done wrong. The good news is that I found some easy ways to do that, so that is what we will be looking at in this article. By the end of this article, you will have easily learned how to smooth edges in Photoshop.

How to Smooth Edges in Photoshop

Getting clean edges around objects doesn’t always come naturally with Photoshop’s basic selection tools. That’s why smoothing techniques like feathering or using the Select and Mask workspace are so helpful and are genuinely a lifesaver. While it’s very hard to smooth edges if you don’t know exactly what to do, you’ll quickly learn how to do that with the methods detailed below.

Method 1: Feathering and Smooth Selection

Feathering is one of the easiest ways to soften the edges of a selection, and it works by blending the sharp part of the image into the parts next to it. Kind of like a song fades out, but in a picture. It’s relatively easy and very straightforward to do.

For first time users, it can be a little confusing, so let’s go over how to do it, step by step.

Step 1: First, open your image in Photoshop and duplicate your layer by pressing "Ctrl + J" (or "Command + J" on Mac). It will show on the bottom left menu.

Step 2: Now, choose the "Lasso Tool" or any other method you prefer to select the object or area you want to smooth.

Step 3: Once the selection is active, go to the menu at the top and click on "Select", then hover over "Modify", and choose "Feather".

Step 4: A dialog box will appear asking for a feather radius. I usually go with 5 as it’s the perfect middle ground. Set it, then click “Ok”, and your edges will be smoothed.

This method works great for simple adjustments, especially when blending selections into new backgrounds or fading out rough edges. So, the next time you’re wondering how to soften edges Photoshop, this is a very easy way to do so.

Method 2: Select and Mask

Select and Mask is amazing when you need more precision and accuracy. This is because it not only smooths the edges by blending them with the background, it also gives you more control over how the image looks, and provides editing tools such as contrast, exposure, etc.

In my opinion, it’s a little bit harder than feathering, so let’s take a look at how it’s done.

Step 1: Like before, start by opening your image in Photoshop and duplicating the layer with "Ctrl + J" or "Command + J".

Step 2: Use any selection method to outline your subject, then click the "Select” button on the top left menu, and click on “Select and Mask”.

Step 3: On the right-hand panel, look for the "Smooth" slider under the Global Refinements section. Drag it to the right to soften the edges. You’ll notice changes in real-time in the preview.

Step 4: You can also tweak "Feather", "Contrast", and "Shift Edge" to fine-tune the transition between your subject and the background. Adjust them until the image looks right to you.

Step 5: Once you’re happy, scroll down to "Output Settings". I usually like to leave things as it is, so just click on “OK”, and your image will be smoothened.

This method is a little more advanced but offers way more control, especially when you need to work with things that have very small details such as hair. It’s a bit difficult and can get confusing, but once you get the hang of it, it’s relatively easy and straightforward to get Photoshop smooth edges.

Toolmart's Image Enhancer: The Best Image Editing Tool

Photoshop is brilliant for smoothing the edges of the picture, but it does not provide any tools to increase the quality of the image. To combat this thing, I found a tool that can be, at times, a lifesaver, and that is Toolsmart’s Image Enhancer. It works amazingly, requires no sign-ups and shows you no ads. You can also add as many pictures as you like, since there are no restrictions.

Key Features:

• AI-enhanced clarity and detail refinement

• Boosts contrast and sharpens blurry areas

• Works with both old and new photos

• No downloads or registrations needed

• Unlimited use, entirely free

Why people love it:

• Completely free

• No sign-ups required

• Extremely Fast and convenient

• Professional results which is perfect for printing, sharing, or adding to a portfolio

It’s relatively easy to use and can be used by anyone, but let’s still have a look at how you can use it.

Step 1: In your browser, visit the Toolmart Free Image Enhancer site (no software or login required).

Step 2: Click on the "Upload image" button, and upload the photo you want to enhance.

Step 3: The AI will begin processing your image, and once it’s ready, simply click "Download" to save your enhanced image.

It’s an amazing tool, and it comes in where Photoshop fails: Enhancing the quality of an image. It’s quick, extremely reliable, has no ads and asks you for no sign-ups which is the thing that I personally love the most about it. It’s an excellent tool on its own, and stands its ground against professional editors.

FAQs

Q1: How much do I need to pay if I use Photoshop?

Using Photoshop usually requires a monthly subscription. The Photoshop plan costs around $20.99/month, and the All Apps Plan (which includes Illustrator, Premiere Pro, etc.) runs about $52.99/month.

Q2: I’m a beginner in Photoshop. Will it be difficult for me to operate?

Photoshop can be a bit overwhelming at first, but the good news is that smoothing edges is one of the easier tasks to learn. With simple steps and a few practice runs, you’ll get the hang of it pretty quickly. There are also tons of beginner tutorials online.

Q3: Is Toolmart’s Image Enhancer safe to use?

Yes, it’s completely safe. The site doesn’t ask for personal information, and since it doesn’t require a download, your system stays secure.

Q4: What other functions does Toolmart offer besides image enhancement?

Toolmart isn’t just about sharpening images. It also offers tools for file format conversion (audio, video, documents), AI-powered writing assistance, and even lets you download content from YouTube and TikTok. Best of all? It’s 100% free and doesn’t ask for signups.

Final Thoughts on Smoothing Edges in Photoshop

Starting to smooth my images in Photoshop felt like a very huge task, but once I got the hang of it, it completely changed the way my images look. They instantly became more refined, professional, and I started getting more positive reviews from my clients. The Feathering and Masking tool really helped me smooth edges Photoshop, and learning to do that made a very big difference in the quality of my images, but the real magic happened when I started using Toolsmart’s Image Enhancer. Photoshop did not increase the quality of the image, so Toolsmart’s tool was the perfect thing for me as it did just that.