Smoothing out edges

Zexel · Posted: Thu Feb 05, 2009 10:32 pm Post subject: Smoothing out edges

So I suck a good amount in Photoshop...I followed a tutorial to make my signature that I have here and I'm pretty happy with it. However it looks terrible on a light background because the part of the car that "pops" out is very pixelated. The rounded corners are like this, too. I've tried using the blur tool to smooth it out but that doesn't seem to work here for whatever reason. Is there something I'm missing?

Any help is GREATLY appreciated!

Thanks in advance.

Matt · VIP

Hey Zexel,

What format did you save the file to? Looks like a GIF in which case, if you're using transparency, a pixel is either transparent or opague when you save it. If you know the colour of your target background you could increase the size of the canvas and then build the smooth edges into the image.

Let us know how you get on?

Zexel · Posted: Sat Feb 07, 2009 12:30 pm Post subject:

Yeah it's saved to .gif format. I usually save the photoshop files too, but I can't find them in this case.

So theres no real way to make it truly transparent and clear up the edges at the same time? I would just have to color match it to whatever forum background I'm posting it too?

Sublimity · Posted: Sat Feb 07, 2009 1:52 pm Post subject:

Zeke, you can save it to a .PNG format to preserve transparency and optimize file size. I think the fault of those jaggies aren't solely the fault of the .gif format. What I suggest you can do is feather the edges slightly using the refine edge command (Right click when using the selection tool) and then applying a layer style, such as a small outer glow. This will compensate for the quality of those edges, and perhaps make your image look more airbrushed.

Matt · VIP

Hey guys,
I've taken a closer look at the file and while agree with what Sublimity is trying to do, the problem would still be during the saving process. Feathering and the outer glow layer style will create a series of translucent pixels, if you then use the same technique to save the image you'll have to contend with the original proble - the GIF file doesn't support translucent pixels so it will convert the said pixels either to transparent or opaque ones.

Like said above, the PNG option is a good one but can sometimes bring about it's own problems (such as compatibility with some of the big browsers ie IE6). A viable option though as more and more people update their browsers.

The other option, as said, it to use Photoshop to convert the transparency into the colour used on the forums you're posting to. If you use a different layer, then you can still use the techniques outlined above by Sublimity to feather and soften the apparent transition between the car and the background colour.

Hope this helps

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