Removing Objects Step 5: Patch Tool

Patch Tool

The Patch Tool allows us to actually draw a selection area around what we want to get rid of and then click and drag that area to a region we want to use to replace the original area. This may sound a little confusing, so let's give it a try and see how it works.

Right click the Healing Brush Tool and then click the Patch Tool...
Set the Patch Tool options bar to match the image below...

With the first option selected, which is called Replace (in the image above it is the second icon from the left), Photopea knows to replace whatever we select with the new area we move it to. I know, this is still a little confusing, and when you actually use the tool in the next directions you will understand what I'm talking about. I just wanted to point out here that there are three other options for how Photopea handles the objects in the selection area. We don't have the time now to get into exactly what each one does, just let me mention real quick that instead of removing objects like we are doing, that you can actually combine separate areas and make all kinds of cool stuff by using the other options. Feel free to take a minute and use the other setting just to see what they do. Be sure you undo any changes before moving on.

Return to the area of the image we worked with in the previous step, but scroll to the right and locate the people indicated below...
Click and drag to draw a selection region around the group of people...

When you release the mouse, Photopea will convert the line into a selection area...

Note that your selection doesn't have to be exactly like mine, just make sure that you have all parts of the group of people selected, because any parts that you miss will remain in the image
Click on the selection area and drag to the right over empty concrete...

Notice as you move that the original selection area fills with whatever content you drag the selection area over - in the case of my image above, the selection area will fill with the empty concrete that I drag the mouse over
Release the mouse button and notice that the people are gone and the selection area is now filled with whatever you were pointing at with the mouse in the above direction...
Press Ctrl+D to remove the selection area

The function of the Patch Tool is actually pretty hard to explain in a written tutorial, but once you use the tool it is obvious how it functions. Once again, keep in mind that Photopea is not simply replacing the area in the selection with whatever you point at with the mouse. Instead, it is blending the two areas together, so be careful what area you use as your new content because if the area you are replacing and the new area are vastly different in color, tone, tint, etc, you will get all kinds of strange results.

Go around the image and remove any people or objects that the Patch Tool will be quick and effective on
HINT: This tool is actually really helpful with this image

Let's save our work up to this point.

Click File and then click Save as PSD...
Save the image in the Remove Objects folder as remove.psd

In the next Step will use a similar process to the Path Tool, but in reverse. Head to Step 6 to see what I mean.