Refine Edge modifications change

[puppychew]

Hi - I have selected a column in a photo and used refine edge because the sides were jagged. I converted it to a smart object and brought it into another image. The column still had jagged edges as if I never used the refine edge.

I redid it with an extreme refine edge and still no change. What did I do wrong?

 

[iDad]

What method for selection did you use

 

[puppychew]

I used the quick select. When I refined the edge it looked great but reverted to unrefined.

 

[puppychew]

here is a screen shot - see the rough looking columns on the right

 

[puppychew]

I selected it then in refine edge with a black background I increased the radius 1.6 Smooth 8 then hit OK

When I move the new selection within the same image or the the image where I want it - there is no change.

 

[inkpad.t]

use the pen tool on that image and you will get a cleaner cut on the straight lines. Once you have pen around the image and made the path, before turning it in to a selection zoom in and make sure the lines are where you want them or re adjust the anchor points, then make it a selection .

I used only the pen tool to cut a motorcycle out which i then placed on a background which was posted here http://www.photoshopgurus.com/forum/show-board/49413-black-white-harley.html

The power of the pen tool is something i would recommend you try and master, it is a great tool for cutting out images. By the way you can still use refine edge after using the pen tool and making your selection, Try looking at the image in refine edge on all the backgrounds and the actual mask.

 

[hawkeye]

If you're going to use the pen tool for this, instead of using it by itself use it in conjunction with a vector mask. It makes the job much easier.

 

[inkpad.t]

Hawkeye....

Totally forgot to mention the vector masking.... Thought the OP was wanting to get use to using the refine edge. Thanks.

 

[Paul]

What size have you opened those columns out to from original size?

 

[puppychew]

I moved the column over without resizing it. Even in the original image it looks bad. What I don't understand is what did I do wrong with refine edge? I made adjustments and did try all the backgrounds, marching ants etc and the jaggedness was completely corrected. Somehow it changed. I went back in and altered the radius etc and brought all controls to the max which should have resulted in a weird monster image but it still was like no change was made. I have to be doing something wrong but don't know what.

 

[puppychew]

OK - I think I discovered my problem by accident but I don't understand why.

I select the column then I do Control J make a new layer for editing. I do a refine edge changing it to the maximun and make either a new layer or modify the existing one but nothing happens.

By accident I outlined the same column in the same way but did not do a control J and it worked.

Why is that?