Mastering Photoshop Brush Tools: Unlock Efficient Retouching

For tasks such as dodging, burning, and layer masking, the added accuracy of brush stroke smoothing can significantly enhance retoucher efficiency. When wielded by a skilled hand, brush strokes can evoke a sense of energy, tactility, and humanness. The new additions to the smoothing tool, including Stroke Catch-up, Catch-up on Stroke End, and Adjust for Zoom, are explained in detail in this tutorial.

The brush stroke smoothing feature offers a new level of precision, depending on its intended use. Using the Pulled String Mode, your cursor sits within a circle, with a line following your cursor movement but only painting when you pull the string past the circle. This mode is particularly useful for situations where hand steadiness or device quality may be compromised.

The Adjust for Zoom slider allows users to impact the amount of smoothness applied, enabling consistent lines even with less-than-ideal input devices like trackball mice or trackpads. Conversely, reducing the smoothing level shortens the distance between the pen tip and brush, resulting in a more responsive experience.

In Aaron Rutten's video tutorial, he breaks down the new smoothing tools and demonstrates how the brush reacts to different setting configurations. These innovative features grant a more polished look with cleaner lines when using a brush, making them a welcome addition for digital painters and retouchers alike.

As part of the Photoshop CC 2018 update, the introduction of a new brush smoothing algorithm has brought significant improvements to the software. With this upgrade, users can now achieve professional-grade results with greater ease and precision.

Photoshop brush tools