Hard-Edged Eraser

[Clayton]

Is it possible to set the Eraser tool in PS 7 so it has a hard edge like the pencil tool? Or maybe a 1 or 2 pixel feather?

Is it possible to pencil over pixels to make them transparent?

Used to know this, but unfortunately can't recall right now.

[Cristen Gillespie]

Is it possible to set the Eraser tool in PS 7 so it has a hard edge like the pencil tool? Or maybe a 1 or 2 pixel feather?

Is it possible to pencil over pixels to make them transparent?

Used to know this, but unfortunately can't recall right now.

The Eraser tool has a Pencil mode as well as a Brush mode. You can set the brush to be whatever feather you want. Pencil automatically comes with no feather. If you're on a non-Background layer, of course, you erase to transparency with the Eraser tool, unless you're erasing to History.

Use the Background Eraser to erase to transparent, or the Magic Eraser to erase the same color in one go (according to tolerance, hardness setting, whether or not contiguous, etc.) If you use the Background Eraser tool on a Background layer, PS will automatically turn it into Layer 0 (zero). At least that's what happens in CS2. The Background Eraser in 7 may require you to turn it into a Layer 0 first. I can't remember.

[Clayton]

Thanks, Cristen! Works as I remember.

Please don't ask me how I overlooked the Mode drop-down when the Eraser tool is selected. Musta stared at the options for 10 minutes, still didn't see it...

[Cristen Gillespie]

Thanks, Cristen! Works as I remember.

Please don't ask me how I overlooked the Mode drop-down when the Eraser tool is selected. Musta stared at the options for 10 minutes, still didn't see it...

There is something eminently forgettable about the Options bar. I don't know why, but I have forgotten to check out a tool's settings there so often you'd think I'd learn, but I guess this dog is just too old<G>