How to Clean Up Images With Rough Edges

Several online Web applets have tools for smoothing the rough edges in your pictures, but you don't need to look beyond your PC's default programs to perform the task. Windows Paint can perform the task using several different commands. Before undertaking this project, use Windows Explorer to make a back-up copy of your image in case your initial smoothing efforts don't produce optimal results. Experiment with Paint's Watercolor and Airbrush tools, as these apply paint with smooth edges.

Instructions

Eraser

1. Click the "File" menu. Select "Open," then go to and double-click an image file with edges you'd like to smooth in Windows Paint. Paint will open the file.

2. Click the magnifying glass icon on the tool palette above the canvas.

3. Move the cursor over an image region with rough edges, then click the mouse button to make Paint zoom into that region.

4. Click the "Eraser" icon from the Tool palette, then drag over a rough edge to erase it. Keep your mouse strokes smooth to make the edge smooth as well.

5. Click "File," then select "Save."

Free Form Selection

1. Click the "Select" button on the Tool palette to make Paint display a list of commands for selecting image regions. Click the "Free" item to run the tool for selecting arbitrary shapes.

2. Drag the cursor around a rough edge to surround it.

3. Release the mouse, then press Ctrl and X simultaneously to cut out the rough edge.

4. Press Ctrl and S simultaneously to save the image.

Curve Tool

1. Click the "Eye Dropper" tool from the Tool palette to run the command for sampling colors from your image.

2. Click the mouse on a region with rough edges.

3. Click the "Curve" tool from the Shapes panel of the Tool palette. This tool creates smooth curves between points that you select.

4. Click the mouse on one end of a rough edge, then drag to the edge's opposite end and release the button. This establishes the curve's endpoints. Click on a location between the start and endpoints you defined. Paint will draw a curve that changes shape as you drag the mouse.

5. Drag the cursor so that the dynamically changing curve smooths the edge you've selected. Double-click to finish the curve.

References

• Microsoft: Working with Paint tools