Similar to the Patch Tool
This tool works similarly to the Patch Tool in Destination mode, except it allows you to either copy a selected area or move it and fill the first area chosen. By doing this, it offers you the same adjustment methods as provided for the Patch Tool in the Content-Aware fill mode. You can cleverly adjust selected areas to make objects appear taller, shorter, more comprehensive, thinner or cleverly move chosen items. The Content-Aware Move Tool allows you to resculpt a photograph manually.
Get Started with the Content-Aware Move Tool
- You will find the Content-Aware Move Tool hiding under the Patch tool. Click on the healing brush tool icon and hold your mouse button down until you see a new menu pop up. From the Toolbox, click the Content-Aware Move tool or Click J or Shift-J.
- The Content-Aware Move tool will show a different control panel compared to the other tools.
- With the Content-Aware Move Tool, draw a selection around the fish on the left side. You could also use the lasso tool or pencil tool, or even the pen tool, but we don’t need close cropping of the fish. Once you have drawn you selection, make sure you have selected the Content-Aware Move Tool
- Once the object has been moved, toggle the marching ants on or off. Ctrl/CMD H (newer versions, this Hides Photoshop) to hide the selection or View > Show > Selection Edges.
Note: When you move your object, it will take a few seconds to see anything as PhotoShop needs to ‘Analyze’ and ‘Remove’ the movement. You may get the dialogue box or a running circle of dots. Just wait!
- The structure will be used to help render the object better and blend the edges too. There is a slight colour shift around the edges of the fish. If we increase the Color to 10, it does a great job of blending.
Check out our latest video, How to Use theRetouching Tools: Content-Aware Move Tool in Photoshop