How to Feather the Edge of a Photo in Illustrator
You can use the Feather effect in Adobe Illustrator to create softened edges on the outline of any photo. Using the Feather effect directly on a photo will feather all of the edges. The higher the number of pixels (px) you enter in the Feather window, the heavier the feathering effect will be. To create a feather effect on just one edge of a photo, you can insert a shape over the edge and then feather that shape. You can also create an old-fashioned, cameo-style photo by placing an oval over the face in a photo and creating a clipping mask. Then feather the clipping mask to give the oval portrait an old-fashioned appearance.
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Instructions
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Feather All Edges
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Open a photo with Adobe Illustrator.
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Click the "Effects" menu. Select "Stylize," then click "Feather." The Feather window opens.
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Click the "Preview" button. Begin with a feather of "10 px" to "15 px" and examine the effect it has on the photo. Create more feathering by increasing the number and less feathering by decreasing the number.
Feather a Single Edge
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Open a photo with Illustrator.
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Click the "Rectangle Tool" in the Toolbox. Draw a thin rectangle approximately 30 pixels wide over the left edge of the photo. Size the rectangle so the top and bottom are flush with the photo and the center is in line with the edge of the photo.
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Click the "Effects" menu, select "Stylize" and click "Feather." The Feather window opens. Set the Feather Radius at "14 px" and click "OK."
Create a Feathered Cameo
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Open a photo with Illustrator. Click the "Ellipse" tool in the Toolbox. Draw an ellipse around the face in the photo by dragging the tool across the photo.
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Press "Ctrl A" to select both objects. Click the "Object" menu, select "Clipping Mask," and click "Make." Only the portion of the photo covered by the oval remains.
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Click the "Effects" menu, select "Stylize" and click "Feather." Set the Feather Radius at "14 px." Click the "Preview" and adjust the feather effect as needed by increasing or decreasing the value.
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Tips & Warnings
Hold down the "Shift" key when drawing an ellipse to make a perfect circle.
