Refine Refine Selection

The Refine Selection option allows you to more precisely define selection edges in your image. A selection needs to be in place before refinement can be carried out.

Refine selection before
Refine selection after

Settings

The following settings can be adjusted from the context toolbar:

The following settings can be adjusted from the vertical sliders:

The size of a brush (when using the Matte option) determines what is taken into consideration when Affinity Photo evaluates the apointed areas. Use a brush size that allows the app to recognise the differences between pixels and don't be afraid to paint your strokes to cover both the areas you'd like to select and those you'd like to exclude as this aids calculations.

The Output setting's Selection and Mask options are ideal when applying adjustments and filters after refining the selection area. New layer and New layer with mask are suited to cutting out and compositing; colour 'decontamination' is also used for achieving high-quality cut-out results.

Refine Refining pixel selection edges

Once a selection has been created, you can refine its edges to ensure your selection is as accurate as needed.

For very fine selection, e.g. of hair against a coloured background, you can use an adjustment brush as part of the refinement to 'brush-in' fine detail.

Refining selection along an edge containing finely detailed fur
Use the Foreground adjustment brush to select the interior (top left, brush strokes; top right, resulting selection), then the Matte adjustment brush to paint along the edge and individual hairs (bottom left). Use the Preview options to inspect the refined selection (bottom right).

About Smooth

In Affinity Photo, smoothing the edges of your selection can be performed via the dedicated vertical slider.

Smooth setting in refining selections
Smooth setting effect with a low (left) and high (right) value.

As you increase the slider value, you’ll notice the amount of details included (left) and excluded (right) from the selection. The setting takes effect by evaluating edge pixel data and delivering a softer result as you increase the pixel value, which is great for at least a couple of scenarios: one, where you need the selected object to fade into the underlying image; or two, whereby you’d like for it to stand out with solid, more defined edges.

About Feather

Feathering the edges of your selection can be performed by either adjusting the dedicated in-dialog slider, or setting the brush mode to Smooth.

Feather setting in refining selections
Feather setting effect with a low (left) and high (right) value.

The Feather brush mode allows for the borders of your selection to be smoother, even more refined with edge pixels progressively blurred as you increase the brush size. In addition, you can modify these edges further by experimenting with the Feather slider – the mode works in tandem with the slider to deliver the desired effect.

Brush size can be adjusted mid-stroke. To do so, use the Command Controller and place your finger on the buttons for control and option together. Then, whilst holding down the two, simply drag to the right to change the width of the brush.

To better visualise the effects of feathering refinements, change the Preview mode to Black and white.

Selection Menu Refine To refine pixel selection edges:
  1. With a selection in place, from the Selection menu, select Refine Selection. Alternatively, tap Refine on the context toolbar.
  2. Adjust the context toolbar settings.
  3. If you wish to adjust the selection edges by painting with the adjustment brush, set a Brush width that encompasses the detail to be included in the selection, then drag over the detail (e.g., hair) next to the selection edge.
  4. Tap the Apply button to apply.

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