Content Aware Patch and Move in Adobe Photoshop

For information about the Edit > Content-Aware Fill option introduced in Photoshop CC 20.0 (October 2018 release), see Content-Aware Fill.

The Patch tool is used to remove unwanted image elements. The Content-Aware option in the Patch tool synthesizes nearby content for seamless blending with the surrounding content.

Legacy: For information about using the Patch tool in versions earlier than Photoshop CS6, see Patch an area.

Video | Fix photos with Content-Aware

Adobe

In the toolbar, hold down the Spot Healing Brush and select the Patch tool .

In the options bar, do the following:

Content-Aware Patch options

Patch

Choose Content-Aware to select the content-aware option.

Structure

Enter a value between 1 and 7 to specify how closely the patch should reflect existing image patterns. If you enter 7, the patch adheres very strongly to existing image patterns. If you enter 1, the patch adheres very loosely to the existing image patterns.

Color

Enter a value between 0 and 10 to specify the extent to which you want Photoshop to apply algorithmic color-blending to the patch. If you enter 0, color blending is disabled. A Color value of 10 applies maximum color blending.

Sample All Layers

Enable this option to create the result of the move in another layer using information from all layers. Select the target layer in the Layers panel.

Select an area to replace on the image. You can use the Patch tool to draw a selection, or use any of the other Selection tools as well.

Drag the selection over the area you want to generate a fill from.

Use the Content-Aware Move tool to select and move a part of a picture. The image is recomposed, and the hole left behind is filled using matching elements from the picture. You do not need to carry out intensive edits involving layers and complex selections.

You can use the Content-Aware Move tool in two modes:

Use the Move mode to place objects in different locations (most effectively when the background remains similar).
Use the Extend mode to expand or contract objects such as hair, trees, or buildings. To best extend architectural objects, use photos shot on a parallel plane, rather than at an angle.

From an expert: Using Content-Aware Move and Fill

Learn how to select part of an image and move it. Then watch as Photoshop automatically fills in the hole with matching elements from the existing background.

Deke McClelland

In the toolbar, hold down the Spot Healing Brush and select the Content-Aware Move tool .

In the options bar, do the following:

Content-Aware Move options

Mode

Use the Move mode to place selected objects at at a different location. Use the Extend mode to expand or contract objects.

Structure

Color

A. Without color blending B. With color blending

Sample All Layers

Enable this option to use information from all layers to create the result of the move in the selected layer. Select the target layer in the Layers panel.

Transform On Drop

When this option is enabled, you can scale the part of the image that you've just moved to its new location. Simply adjust the resizing handles for the moved part of the image.

Select an area to move or extend. You can use the Move tool to draw a selection, or use any of the other selection tools as well.

Drag the selection to the area you want to place the object.

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Content-Aware Patch and Move