While the tools in Edit mode allow you to make a variety of global adjustments, sometimes you may only want to adjust specific areas of your photos. For example, instead of blurring an entire photo, you may want to blur certain areas, such as the background. To do this, and other local adjustments, you can use the Edit Brush.
The Edit Brush allows you to selectively edit your photo by simply brushing on the effects. The Edit Brush is essentially creating a mask that is used to determine which pixels will be affected by the current settings of the chosen operation.
The Edit Brush button displays at the center of the top editing panel toolbar for all applicable Edit mode tools.
To Use the Edit Brush:
Edit Brush Options
Add brush stroke |
Brush while holding the left mouse button down. |
Erase brush stroke |
Brush while holding the right mouse button down. |
Adjust brush size |
Use the mouse wheel to adjust nib width or adjust the Nib Width slider. |
Adjust feathering |
Use SHIFT + mouse wheel to adjust the amount of feathering. |
Alternating between Brush mode and cursor-applied tools |
For filters that involve drawing or clicking on the image, such as Lighting and White Balance, hold down the ALT key to switch from Brush mode to using the tool. |
Clear all brush strokes |
Removes all brush strokes from the image. |
Invert all brush strokes |
Toggle this option to invert brushed strokes. This makes brushed areas no longer brushed and untouched areas brushed. This is useful if you want the majority of the image brushed and a small section untouched. Simply brush only the small area you don't want affected and invert the brush strokes. |
Load last applied brush strokes |
Applies effects to the area most recently brushed and applied. |
Show brush strokes |
When this option is checked, your brush strokes will be displayed in the color shown. This is helpful when brushing a complex area with a subtle effect, as it can be difficult to tell if you have missed a spot. Alternatively, hold down the S key to see your brush strokes on the image. |
When you click the Edit brush and enter Brushing mode, you need to apply brush strokes in order to see any of your adjustments.
To exit Brushing mode, toggle the Edit brush button.
The Edit Brush is enabled in many of the editing tools and special effects filters. When it does not make sense to have this option, it is omitted. The Edit Brush is not available in the following tools: Crop, Resize, Rotate, Flip, Text, Red Eye Reduction, Repair Tool, and Selections.