How to Use the Healing Tool in Photoshop

The Healing Brush Tool is one of the most powerful tools in Photoshop, and once you’re able to master its use, it can perform some incredible miracles. It’s great for removing imperfections like spots and pimples.

However, it is only as good as you are at using it. There are some drawbacks that make this tool difficult to master, such as hard edges and healing paths.

In this guide, you will learn how to use a healing tool in photoshop from scratch so that you won’t have to face such pitfalls, and upgrade your images drastically.

Healing tool in photoshop

Healing Brush Tool is a clean-up tool of photoshop. With the options, this tool solves problems like wrinkles, scratches, blemishes, spots, etc. This can be used on the skin, on clothing, on products, and many more. And it offers different tools depending on the image type.

Where is the Healing Tool in photoshop

You’ll find Healing Brush Tool on the toolbar menu. It’s right under the Eyedropper Tool and just above the Brush Tool. Under Healing Brush Tool, there are 5 more options –

  1. Spot Healing Brush Tool
  2. Healing Brush Tool
  3. Patch Tool
  4. Content-Aware Move Tool
  5. Red Eye Tool

How to Use The Spot Healing Brush Tool in Photoshop

The spot healing brush tool is an easy to use and time-saving tool. All you need to do is drag the brush and it’ll take you just a few minutes to correct the spots.

Step 1 : Open the File

Go to File and click on Open to open the file.

Open file

Step 2 : Take the Spot Healing Brush tool

Select the Spot Healing Brush Tool from the toolbar menu.

Spot Healing Brush Tool

Step 3 : Brush

After selecting the tool, on the top menu, brush adjustment options like size and intensity will show up.

Brush size

Now zoom in on your image so that you can see the details. Now, start brushing where correction is needed and you’ll notice the changes.

Zoom in face

Change and adjust the brush size and intensity according to your need.

How to Use The Spot Healing Brush Tool in Photoshop

Step 4 : Save

When you’re done with the modification, save the file. Don’t forget to keep the PSD file too so that you can always work on this file.

How to Use The Healing Brush Tool in Photoshop

The Healing Brush tool is kind of similar to the Spot Healing Brush Tool. The unique feature is that the healing brush tool works based on reference.

At first, you’ll have to take a reference from the image and then paste it on the area you want to correct. This is kind of replacing an area with another.

Step 1 : Open the File

Go to File from the top menu and click on Open to open the file you want to work with.

Step 2 : Pick the Healing Brush tool

Select the Healing Brush Tool from the toolbar. It is right below the Spot Healing Brush Tool.

Healing Brush Tool

Like the spot healing brush tool, you’ll get the same options to adjust the brush size and hardness. Adjust these options before starting brushing.

Step 3 : Take reference

Now, press the Alt button on the keyboard and click on a plain area to take reference. It needs to match the light and color of the area that you want to correct. The brush size will determine the amount of space you’re taking. The bigger the brush, the more area it’ll pick.

Healing Brush reference

Step 4 : Brush

Now click on the area that you want to replace. You’ll see the area is corrected by the reference.

Healing Brush Apply

Change the reference anytime you need. Make sure that your reference matches the area you’re working on. Otherwise, it’ll look artificial.

How to Use The Healing Brush Tool in Photoshop

Step 5 : Save

From the File menu, choose Save As and save the file as JPEG and PSD.

How to Use the Patch Tool in Photoshop

The patch tool is a little bit different from the other two. This tool works with reference too but in a different way. You’ll have to mark and cut a certain area and then drag it to the area that needs to be corrected. This tool is useful while working with larger areas.

Step 1 : Open the File

Open the file by clicking on File from the top menu.

Step 2 : Take the tool

Select the Patch Tool from the toolbar You’ll find it right below the Healing Brush Tool.

Patch tool

Step 3 : Mark an area

Mark an area from the image that is clear. To be straight, pick a plain surface. Make sure this area’s shape goes with the shape of the area that you want to correct.

Patch Tool reference

Step 4 : Drag the area

Now, click on your mouse and drag the area to the spot you want to replace. Make sure the new replacement goes with the surroundings of the replaced area.

Patch Tool apply

Step 5 : Save

Now, your image is ready to save. Click on File>Save As and save your file.

These are three simple tools of Adobe Photoshop to remove spots from your images while working in the post-production house. With the help of these three tools, you can easily remove any sort of spot from your images.

FAQs

How to undo spot healing brush in photoshop?

Go to Edit > Undo Spot Healing brush Tool or press Ctrl+Z on your keyboard to undo the spot healing brush tool.

How to make spot healing brush smaller?

On the top menu bar, there is an option to reduce the brush size. By moving the slider, you can decrease the brush size.

How to take reference with Healing Brush Tool?

Press Alt and click on the spot you want to take as a reference.

When should Patch Tool be used?

You should use the Patch Tool when you want to correct a bigger area.

Can I use a Healing Brush Tool to remove clothing wrinkles?

Yes. You can.

Final Verdict

All in all, the Healing Brush Tool is a powerful tool for anyone working in digital art. It can be tricky to pick up at first, but when you get the hang of it, you’ll find it incredibly useful.

We hope that this tutorial and some of our additional resources will help both new and experienced Photoshop users master such important tools.

what's inside of photo retouching
Ruzel Hasan
Ruzel Hasan

Ruzel Hasan is a genuine polymath. He has versatile skills and is adept in post-production work, graphic designing, photo editing, file formatting, and mastering various related applications and software. In addition, he has a knack for writing, so he shares his knowledge, tips, and ideas through content within his busy schedule.

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