Repeating outer Pixels

[thegnat]

Does anyone know how to extend only the outer pixels of an image?

My task is to prepare an image for die-cutting (a bottle shape), I can't scale the die-cut path because important parts of the image would be missing then.

I've seen pixel-based images where someone had extended just the outer pixels to accomplish this.
On straight edges you could use a one pixel wide selection and scale it until it fits your needs....but on irregular shapes?

Any help appreciated!

Thanks

PS: Photoshop CS4

[Stephen Marsh]

Is this a single flat colour or does it have variable tone/texture?

If flat/solid colour then this would be easy. Can you post a low res of the image?

I hate it when "designers/artists" build jobs without bleed, when the job obviously requires bleed!

EDIT: I tried in CS5 using content aware fill, this worked well - however YMMV depending on the bleed extension (photo, solid colour, gradients etc).


Stephen Marsh

[ronmulli]

Follow these steps:-
1. Make selection of image area you want to bleed
2. Make separate layer of selection ( you can merge back later)
3. Menu > Select > Modify > Feather (3 pixels ok but depends on bleeding required)
4. Select > Inverse
5. Menu > Filter > Other > Minimum
6. Adjust pixels using preview to taste.

Let me know if it works:- ronmulli@yahoo.co.uk

[thegnat]

Thanks for your tips.

I did it like ronmulli described.
With some final retouches it looked ok for production.

Some people just dont understand that you can't always hit the exact edge of the graphic when producing 10.000 stickers...why do you need bleed areas?

Thanks a lot for your help!

[pp2010]

Hi,

unfortunately I can’t follow ronmulli’s description.

Can anyone (re-)explain the necessary steps for me?

[ronmulli]

Sorry guys I forgot 1 step for a good finish:-

1. Make selection of image area you want to bleed
2. Make separate layer of selection ( you can merge back later)
3. Menu > Select > Modify > Contract (3 pixels or so is ok)
4. > Select > Inverse
5. > Select > Modify > Feather (1-3 pixels ok but depends on bleeding required)
5. Menu > Filter > Other > Minimum
6. Adjust pixels using preview to taste.

NB: There is no rule for this you just have to keep testing with different settings until you find the best result. I use this bleeding for jobs that require trapping e.g for rotogravure output. ronmulli@yahoo.co.uk

[pp2010]

Call me dumb but i don’t get it. Any chance to see a step-by-step guide with an actual image file?

[ronmulli]

Will try to make short demo video, give me a little time if it can wait, but its really simple ( I hope you are working in Photoshop)

[pp2010]

Yes, it’s Photoshop and I used the ducky example file.

[ronmulli]

Check out these frames, you can get selection from clipping path if you wish by going to the paths palette and rightclick (see options)