Try the Photoshop Elements Course for Free!

The Smudge Tool in Photoshop Elements- Instructions

/ / Latest, Photoshop Elements

The Smudge Tool in Photoshop Elements: Video

            This video lesson, titled “Learn How to Use the Smudge Tool in Adobe Photoshop Elements 2023: A Training Tutorial,” shows you how to use the Smudge Tool in Photoshop Elements. This video is from our complete Photoshop Elements tutorial, titled “Mastering Photoshop Elements Made Easy v.2021.”

Overview of the Smudge Tool in Photoshop Elements:

            When you select the Smudge Tool in Photoshop Elements and click and drag it in an image, it produces an effect similar to the effect of dragging your finger through wet paint. The Smudge Tool in Photoshop Elements picks up the color of the place at which you click. It then pushes that color through the rest of the stroke as you drag.

            To use the Smudge Tool in Photoshop Elements, first select the “Smudge Tool” from the Toolbox and Tool Options Bar. It shares a spot on the Toolbox with the “Blur” and “Sharpen” tools.

            In the Tool Options Bar, set the brush stroke and other brush options, as desired. You can set the blending mode, brush, size and strength from the drop-downs and sliders available. You can also check the “Sample All Layers” checkbox to select using the combined color value from all layers. If unchecked, it only smudges the color from the currently visible layer.

            You can also check the “Finger Painting” checkbox to smudge using the selected foreground color at the beginning of each stroke. If unchecked, the tool instead uses the color under the pointer at the start of the stroke. After setting your options, then click and drag in the image to smudge the paint where you click and drag.

A picture of a user applying the Smudge Tool in Photoshop Elements.

A picture of a user applying the Smudge Tool in Photoshop Elements.

Instructions on How to Use the Smudge Tool in Photoshop Elements:

  1. To use the Smudge Tool in Photoshop Elements, select the “Smudge Tool” from the Toolbox and Tool Options Bar.
  2. In the Tool Options Bar, set the brush stroke and other brush options, as desired.
  3. Select a blending mode and strength from the drop-down and slider available.
  4. To select using the combined color value from all layers, check the “Sample All Layers” checkbox.
  5. If unchecked, it will only smudge the color from the currently visible layer.
  6. To smudge using the selected foreground color at the beginning of each stroke, check the “Finger Painting” checkbox.
  7. If unchecked, the tool will instead use the color under the pointer at the beginning of the stroke.
  8. After setting your options, then click and drag in the image to smudge the paint where you click and drag.
TOP