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6. The Tools in the Toolbox / 6.3 Tools for Image Layers

### 6.3.10 The Border Matting Tool

The Border Matting tool is used to create cut-out masks for semi-transparent areas like hair. Usually you first create a basic selection with another tool - i.e. the Quick Selection tool or the automask - and enhance that with the Border Matting tool in the critical areas.

If you select the Border Matting tool and there is already a selection, the image will be marked with different colors depending on the existing mask values:

- Yellow
All parts of the image inside the selection, that can be edited completely, are marked yellow. These areas have a mask value of 255.
- Red
All parts of the image outside the selection, that are completely protected from editing, are marked red. These areas have a mask value of 0.
- Orange
The remaining parts are orange.

You can edit the existing marks with the subtools of the Border Matting tool:

- Mark Object
With Mark Object you can mark the parts of the image, that belong to the object.
- Mark Background
With Mark Background you can mark the parts of the image, that belong to the background. You can quickly access this tool by holding Shift.
- Define Working Area
You can use Define Working Area to mark the parts of the image where you want to recalculate the mask values. You can access this tool quickly by holding Alt. You can use the right mouse button, too, if you have configured PhotoLine that way (see chapter 7.10.1.21 Clear with right mouse button).

If you activate Edit Soft Edge in the Tool Settings the otherwise orange areas will become transparent. This means the mask values will be recreated there, too.

Apply recalculates the new mask values. After that you will still see the color marks. You will see the normal mask and lasso view only after switching to another tool. You can nevertheless examine the result directly by using the Magnifier (see chapter 4.25).

Note: It might be quite laborious to create good color marks. Therefore the Border Matting tool is saving your marks along with the image. This way you don't have to create everything in one single step. The marks will only be deleted under one of the following conditions:

- You press Apply in the Tool Settings.
- You press Erase in the Tool Settings.
- You modify the image.

You can postprocess the selection with Extract selection (chapter 7.6.28).