Graphics Programs Reference
In-Depth Information
A word of warning: If you have a slow computer, there will be quite a lag between when you
apply the Smudge tool and when you see its effect onscreen. This delay makes the tool tricky
to control, because you have to resist the temptation to keep going over an area until you see
results.
You'll find the Smudge tool hidden under the Blur tool in the Tools panel. Click the Blur
tool's icon (the water drop) or press R and then, in the Tool Options area, choose the Smudge
tool (its icon, not surprisingly, is a finger that looks like it's painting).
The Smudge tool has mostly the same Tool Options settings as other brush tools, but it also
includes the Sample All Layers checkbox, just like the Healing Brush and the Clone Stamp
(
The Healing Brush
describes this option), as well as two additional settings:
▪
Strength
. This setting does just what it says—controls how much the tool smudges col-
ors together. A higher number results in more blending.
▪
Finger Painting
. Turning on this checkbox makes the Smudge tool smear in the current
foreground color at the start of each stroke. When this setting is turned off, the tool uses
the color that's under the cursor at the start of each stroke. (
Figure 12-18
shows the dif-
ference.) This option is useful for creating artistic smudges, like adding a contrasting col-
or to help your strokes stand out more.
