Is this a Job for "Refine Edge Tool?"

[frizzylee]

I am going to upload an image that I would very much like to use but am unable to because of the poor line quality as it is.  The problem is that I have no idea how to go about fixing it.  I am wondering if it a job for the refine edge tool.  If so, my heart sinks because I have always failed when attempting to use it, though I acknowledge it would be a wonderful tool if I could.

What think you who know about this sort of thing??

Pat

[fotofrank]

Your question is completely confusing to me. The Refine Edge option enables you to fine-tune the edges of a selection, it does not refine the lines/edges in you photo.

This looks like it was a very small image to start with and as it was enlarged the lines became jagged. Refine edge will not correct this.

[BuckSkin]

My way to fix = get yourself one of those USB slabs that allow you to use a special "pen" (I have two of them and was never sure what they are called, pen tablet I think, but that may be an entirely different animal).

Make a blank layer on top of your image and carefully trace the lines with a wee-bit wider hard-edged "brush", using whatever color you want the lines to be.

[hmca]

frizzylee , I would like your permission to work on your image.   Please let me know if that is OK.  I have something else for you to consider.

Helen

[Sepiana]

Aug 23, 2021 17:35:29 GMT frizzylee said:

Aug 23, 2021 18:05:23 GMT fotofrank said:

The Refine Edge option enables you to fine-tune the edges of a selection, it does not refine the lines/edges in you photo.

This looks like it was a very small image to start with and as it was enlarged the lines became jagged. Refine edge will not correct this.

I am going to upload an image that I would very much like to use but am unable to because of the poor line quality as it is.  The problem is that I have no idea how to go about fixing it.  I am wondering if it a job for the refine edge tool

Pat, 

I totally agree with Frank.  This is not a job for Refine Edge.

Do you still have the original image? What about starting from scratch? Why not re-create this effect?  You could use Guided Edit>Fun Edits>Puzzle Effect.

Puzzle effect guided edit (Help)

How to Make a Photoshop Elements Puzzle Effect Picture - Guided Edit

[Chris]

Pat, one way to fix this image is to make a new layer on top and paint with a hard white brush around the lines to clean them up. If you make a mistake, erase and start again. There is also the other option Sepiana has mentioned. Take another picture of a tree or download a free stock version. Then apply a jigsaw puzzle effect.

Kind regards
Chris

[hmca]

Checking back here, I think Sepiania and Chris have given you two great options, Pat.   My suggestion would have been to use the spot healing brush tool to remove the white edges, enlarge the image,  and use the trial version  Panos' puzzle action.

Starting with a fresh image would make removing the edges unnecessary.  It seems to me that you should be able to move forward given these two great suggestions.  

[frizzylee]

Once again this unbelievably generous, dare I say brilliant, group of talented, imaginative people have given me hope!! I do have an iPad with the stylus pen. Just got it a few months ago and have never used the stylus part. I did attend a class at Apple with a friend who was learning about using the stylus and I am going to her place later today and together we think we might be able to work this out. (I will learn about the stylus to boot!! Great.)

My project is stopped dead until I come up with something meaningful (prreferably related to jigsaw puzzles. . . . .the theme running throughout this photobook)for the page I am seeking to fill.

To all who responded to my post, I can't thank you enough. I have spent more time than I care to admit on this 4 volume group of photo books. This last book is proving the most difficult, as expected, but it now very, very close to the end. This group can certainly claim credit for a lot of it.

[BuckSkin]

Aug 24, 2021 15:17:20 GMT frizzylee said:

 I have spent more time than I care to admit on this 4 volume group of photo books.

I can imagine; that sort of stuff takes ages of time and people think you just set it all in front of the computer, pushed a button, and walked off to do the laundry while the computer did the rest.

I like to research my pictures and correctly identify and get some background on every detail visible and in proximity of the photo and subject.
I get so immersed in investigating, learning, and then entering these details that I can spend all day and most of the night on a single picture.


Speaking of stylus pens, the wife was carrying three armloads of her junk from the car and, as I was watching, I saw her drop what I thought was a plain old pen; I told her she dropped a pen, at which she informed me that that pen cost over a hundred dollars...........

[frizzylee]

Hello, Buckskin,

Yes, you are so right about the work that goes into a really comprehensive photo book. I am not exaggerating when I say I have literally thousands of photos which I began taking at age 13. This photo taking has gone on for 64 years so you can imagine how many albums are stacked up. My goal was to select the most valuable photos to me and put them in four or five albums. Designing the books started 10 years ago. The pandemic gave me the time to finally start creating the books. I am now into the PEOPLE book, the last one.

Occasionally I get hung up and this group has been a very big help.

In the case of the "Puzzle Tree" I put in a day or two at it and then happened on another image that I was able to more easily repurpose for what I needed. The two images on the "spreads" (two pages together) below serve to move from family photos to friends photos. I am posting both photos. I chose to use the second spread because the puzzle grid lines on the tree just never looked smooth enough. This spread is 25 inches wide by 10 inches high so they are noticable. I am satisfied with this compromise.

[hmca]

The amount of time and thought you have put in on this project is a testament to who you are, Pat. Thanks for sharing your end result. So happy that things worked out for you.

[BuckSkin]

Let's see....., 13 + 64 = ?

I was over two years behind on pictures from several events; the pandemic has sure been a big help in catching up, but I'm not quite there yet.