Photoshop Remove Tool: Intelligent Object, Shadow, and Reflection Removal

Clip title: Photoshop’s Amazing New Remove Tool (Trace Erase) Author / channel: photoshopCAFE URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NO7s87W-hNw

Summary

The video introduces an enhanced “Remove Tool” in Photoshop Beta, specifically highlighting its “Related elements” feature, which functions similarly to Adobe’s “Project Trace Erase” previously showcased at Adobe Max. This advanced tool intelligently removes objects from an image while also eliminating their associated shadows, reflections, and other subtle traces, creating a much more seamless and realistic result than previous removal methods.

The presenter demonstrates this capability with several impressive examples. He first removes a car and its shadow from a winding road, then effectively eliminates a woman with an umbrella, her reflection, and even the surrounding water splashes from a wet path. Further demonstrations show the tool removing a kayaker and paddle from the water, flawlessly filling in the disturbed ripples, and even vapor-like chalk dust from around dancers, leaving a clean background. These examples illustrate the tool’s ability to handle complex and diffuse elements with remarkable precision.

However, the video also addresses two important caveats. Firstly, while the initial removal is effective, the resolution of the replaced area can sometimes be low. A new “Enhance” option resolves this by regenerating the area in higher detail, but using it, along with the “Related elements” option, consumes generative credits (10 credits per operation). Secondly, the “Enhance” feature, if not managed carefully, can subtly alter the entire image rather than just the specific removed area. To counter this, the presenter recommends a workaround: creating an inverted (black) mask on the “Remove tool edits” layer and selectively painting with white only where the high-resolution generated area is desired, thus localizing the enhancement.

In conclusion, the enhanced “Remove Tool” with “Related elements” is a powerful and valuable addition to Photoshop for tackling complex object removals, particularly those involving shadows, reflections, or intricate details that leave subtle traces. The presenter advises users to be selective: for simpler removals, the standard “Remove Tool” (which doesn’t use credits) is often sufficient. However, for challenging scenarios where manual cleanup would be time-consuming or difficult, the credit-costing “Related elements” and “Enhance” features offer a highly efficient and impressive solution, especially when combined with the masking workaround for precise control.

Video Description & Links

Description

Photoshop beta has a new remove tool feature: remove related, aka trace erase is here in Photoshop, but it has 2 big problems! Colin Smith shows you how to use this tool as well as solution for the 2 problems as well as when you should use it and when you shouldn’t as well as why.

Trace Erase there a problem 00:00 Intro 00:12 Removing a shadow 01:01 Removing reflections 01:30 Ripples in water 01:56 Smoke and dust 02:24 Creative variation on removal 02:44 Enhancing resolution 03:06 First BIG caveat and workaround 03:17 Using related elements with a Mask 03:48 Caveat #2 04:11 Workaround #2
04:34 recommendations and verdict

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URLs

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Photoshop Remove Tool: Intelligent Object, Shadow, and Reflection Removal