Graphics Software, Continued
Blending tools
Blending tools blur the distinct lines between colors and patterns.
They make
sharp lines fuzzy and can zoom in and out of images. Some common
blending tools are FEATHER, DEFRINGE, CLONE or RUBBERSTAMP,
SMUDGE, CROPPER, GRABBER, ZOOM, PANNING, and SHARPEN.
FEATHER or DEFRINGE: Feathering or defringing creates a gradual
transition between pixels on the edges of selected objects and backgrounds.
This is useful when combining objects from different images to form one
composition.
CLONE or RUBBERSTAMP: With CLONE or RUBBERSTAMP, you may
copy objects, colors, or patterns and place them in other areas of the image.
Retouching damaged areas on photographs or continuous-tone originals is
easily done with this tool.
SMUDGE: The SMUDGE tools smears adjoining pixels with similar
characteristics much like dragging fingers through wet paint smears color
into the surrounding areas. This tool is excellent for softening unattractive
features in portraiture used in Welcome Aboard biographies.
CROPPER: CROPPER tools crop selected portions of images and discard
the rest.
GRABBER: To move objects larger than your open onscreen window, use
the GRABBER tool and push or pull the image around on the screen.
ZOOM: Magnification of images or selected portions of images is possible
with the ZOOM tool. This tool also pushes selected images into the
background. Use this tool when determining the best composition.
PANNING: Moving from side-to-side across images like motion picture or
video cameras is an effect accomplished by the PANNING tool.
SHARPEN: The SHARPEN tool increases or decreases image focus by
altering the contrast in surrounding pixels.
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