How to Use the Content Aware Move Tool in Photoshop

This guide will give you the easiest ways to use the Content-Aware Move tool in Photoshop.

I’ve been using Adobe Photoshop for many years, and these days I use the Content-Aware Move tool several times a week.

Photoshop’s AI Content-Aware Move tool helps you seamlessly move objects from one position to another.

Let’s dive into the tutorial.

How to Move Objects with the Content-Aware Move Tool

Sometimes, to perfect an image, we need to adjust the placement of objects within it.

Using the Content-Aware Move tool, you can move an object from one area of an image to another.

There are different ways to move objects in Photoshop, but the Content-Aware Move tool is unique.

The Content-Aware Move tool uses AI to fill the empty space from which the object was moved.

It does this so quickly and concisely that it feels like magic.

This makes it the optimum choice when rearranging the positions of people or objects in an image.

In this tutorial, you’ll learn how to use the Content-Aware Move tool to move an object.

We’ll also run through how to duplicate and resize objects.

Step 1 – Open An Image

When Photoshop is open, head to the main menu and select File.

From the drop-down menu, click Open, and a dialogue window will open.

Find the image you wish to use and double-click its icon to open it.

Step 2 – Select the Content-Aware Move Tool

Head to the toolbar on the left-hand side of the canvas workspace and select the Content-Aware Move tool.

You will find the Content-Aware Move tool in the Spot Healing Brush tool’s toolbox.

Click the Spot Healing Brush tool to open its drop-down menu, and select the Content-Aware Move tool.

Alternatively, for the keyboard shortcut, hold down the Shift key and tap J to cycle through the toolbox.

The Content-Aware Move tool’s icon is the two intertwined arrows.

Step 3 – Set the Settings in the Options Bar

When the tool is active, its options bar will appear above the canvas workspace.

Click the first square icon in the set of four to activate it. This allows you to make one selection.

Check that the Mode option is set to Move, not Extend.

Set Structure to four and Color to zero. Tick the box beside Sample All Layers.

Tick the box beside Transform On Drop. If this box is left unticked, the object will be copied and pasted but not merged.

Step 4 – Create a Selection

The Content-Aware Move tool works in much the same way as the Lasso tool when creating a selection.

Click on the canvas and make a selection around the object you wish to move.

It can be a loose selection; it doesn’t have to be perfect.

If you make a mistake when creating a selection, you can just start again.

As you can see in the image below, we have made a rough selection around the bird.

By holding down the ALT key, you can use the Content-Aware Move tool as if it were the Polygonal Lasso tool.

Using this technique, the selection will be created in straight lines.

Step 5 – Reposition the Object

When you’re happy with the active selection, click on the object and drag it across the canvas into its new position.

Release the cursor, and a pop-up box will appear. Photoshop will take a few moments to complete the edits.

When the box disappears, the object will be repositioned.

The empty space from which the object was moved will be patched up and replaced with background.

The active selection of marching ants will remain around the object.

The space within the edges of the active selection will have been altered to merge the object with its new background.

• More: How to Use Content-Aware Fill in Photoshop

As you can see in the image below, Photoshop’s AI has aligned the edges of the branch on which the bird is perched.

Where the bird was previously perched, the branch has been patched up.

You might have noticed that AI has not made a completely seamless transition.

If we zoom in and take a closer look at the repositioned bird, we see that one of its claws is missing.

However, in this case, the error is not so obvious, as the bird’s claw could be clutching a twig behind the main branch.

When we scan the spot where the bird was originally perched, it’s hard to find a fault with the AI edit.

However, on closer inspection, the blending of the colors above the branch looks slightly unnatural.

These errors are only obvious to the discerning eye. Always scan the image after moving an object using the Content-Aware Move tool so you can fix the imperfections.

We’ll return to fix the errors later in the tutorial.

Step 5 – Adjust the Structure Value

The object is merged well; this edit is possibly as close to perfect as we will get using the Content-Aware Move tool.

Returning to the tool’s options bar, I will change the Structure’s value from four to one.

The Structure setting helps you match the object to the background of its new position.

If the value is set low, the selection will merge more with its new location.

As you can see below, the bird’s outline dissolves into the background when the Structure pattern is set to one.

It looks like the bird is morphing into the fourth dimension.

It’s a great look if you want to make a sci-fi image but not great if you want the photo to look realistic.

• More: How to Stitch Images Together in Photoshop

When the value is high, the object will not merge with the existing background pattern but instead retain more of its original form.

Below, you can view the bird’s appearance when the Structure is set to 7, the highest Structure value.

As you can see, the branch has completely retained its original form. Thus, it does not meld realistically with it’s new background. The bird has also retained its claw.

Basically, when the Content-Aware Move tool’s structure is set to 7, it is the same as a normal copy-and-paste action.

Little AI adjustments are made to the pasted section.

Adjusting the Content-Aware Move tool’s settings will take some trial and error at first.

The more you use it, the quicker you will be able to determine which setting to use.

Step 6 – Adjust the Color Value

The next fine-tuning option in the tool’s options bar is Color.

The color value will affect how the color on the inside of the active selection blends with its new background.

When the Color value is set to zero, there will be no merging of colors. Set the Color value to the highest value, 10, for maximum color blending.

In the image below, the Color value was set to zero. The colors in the original and new background are similar, so there is no real need to blend colors.

In the image below, the Color value was set to 10, the maximum value.

As you can see in the image below, there is some color leakage; it is particularly obvious around the feet and tail.

This makes the bird look as if the Smudge tool has been used. So, in this case, we would set the Color value low to avoid the blur effect around the edges.

You can tweak and adjust the Color and Structure values as long as the selection remains active.

Step 7 – Deselect

When you are happy with the results and your repositioned object is beautifully blended, it’s time to deselect it.

Hold Command + D (for Macs) or Ctrl + D (for Windows).

You can also deselect by clicking on the canvas with the Move tool active, outside of the active selection.

• More: How to Swap Backgrounds in Photoshop Using AI

Step 8 – Final Edits

The image is close to finished. We have one final edit – removing the unnatural line created where the two background colors meet.

To remove the line, head to the toolbar and select the Spot Healing Brush tool or hit J for the keyboard shortcut.

Adjust the size of the brush, then draw over the line using the Spot Healing Brush tool.

Paint over the line as many times as needed to merge the two colors.

Now, your image is complete. The little birdie looks happy, perched in its new position.

Depending on your project, this quick transition may be good enough to run with.

When moving objects, you can also use the Content-Aware Move tool in conjunction with the Select Subject action or the Object Selection tool.

This allows you to have different options when selecting the object.

We will run through these two methods in the next techniques.

However, when selecting the bird in the photo above, using only the Content-Aware Move tool worked well enough for basic purposes.

Below is an example of the selection created with the Select Subject action. As you can see, it was difficult for AI to locate the subject accurately.

Below is an example of the Content-Aware Move tool used with the Select Object tool.

The Select Object tool accurately selected the bird. However, the Content-Aware Move action blended the bird too much with its new background.

Resize Objects

Now that you know how to use the Content-Aware tool’s Move option, let’s check out how to use the Extend option.

For this, we will open a different image in Photoshop.

Step 1 – Open an Image in Photoshop

Follow the first step in the method above to open your image.

Step 2 – Activate the Content-Aware Move Tool

From the toolbar, select the Content-Aware Move tool, located in the Spot Healing Brush’s toolbox.

Alternatively, hit J for the keyboard shortcut.

Step 3 – Set Mode to Extend

When the Content-Aware Move tool is active, head to the tool’s options bar above the canvas workspace.

Click on the downward arrow beside the Mode box and set the mode to Extend.

The next option in the tool’s option bar is Structure. Set the Structure value to four.

Leave the Color value at zero and tick the box beside Sample All Layers.

Tick the box beside the last option, Transform On Drop.

Now, you are ready to resize the object. Our plan is to move the fox to the left side of the photo and shrink its size down.

Step 4 – Create a Selection

Using the Content-Aware Move tool, create a selection around the object.

If you don’t make the best selection, click on the canvas to deselect and start again.

Step 5 – Reposition the Object

When you are happy with the selection, drag the object to its new position.

A bounding frame will surround the active selection.

The Content-Aware Move tool works best when background patterns are not complicated.

For this reason, we will not position the resized fox on top of the old fox.

Step 6 – Resize the Object

You can enlarge or shrink the object by dragging the handles of the bounding box inwards or outwards with the cursor.

If you wish to rotate the object on an angle, hover your cursor over one of the bounding box’s edges until a bent arrow pointer appears.

Click down and drag. The box will rotate at an angle.

When you have achieved the desired size and angle, release the cursor.

The bounding box will disappear, and the active selection will remain.

Step 7 – Deselect

Hold Command + D (for Macs) or Ctrl + D (for Windows) to deselect.

Alternatively, you can deselect by clicking on the canvas outside the selection.

• More: How to Generate AI Accessories for Portraits

Step 8 – Scan and Fine-Tune

The fox is almost perfect; however, when we zoom in we can see the ears are slightly distorted.

We can remedy enlarged ears using the Content-Aware Move tool to resize the ear tuft.

Create a selection around the ear. When the bounding box appears, reduce the ear size.

At the end of the fox’s tail is an out-of-place grey blur. If we leave the centrally placed grey blur, the image will look messy and distract the viewer.

To remove it, select the Spot Healing Brush from the toolbar and use the brush to paint over the grey blur.

Apply as many brush strokes as you need to eliminate the blemish.

And Viola, we have the final masterpiece, a resized and altered composition.

The fox is placed perfectly to add another subject to the image.

Although the Content-Aware Move tool is not 100% perfect, it is the go-to speedy solution for most replacement edits.

Duplicate Objects

Let’s take a look at how we can duplicate objects using the Content-Aware Move tool.

For this method, we will use a photo of a jumping fox.

We want to create a composition with two jumping foxes, one larger than the other.

Step 1 – Open the Image and Create a Selection

To open the image and create a selection, follow the steps from one to four in the second method.

Before creating a selection, ensure that the tool’s Mode is set to Extend, not Move.

Step 2 – Move the Object

When you have created a selection, drag the object to its new position using your cursor.

When in place, a blue bounding frame will appear.

Before we resize the fox, we will flip it horizontally so both foxes face each other.

Right-click within the bounding frame and a drop-down menu will appear.

Scroll down until you find Flip Horizontally. Click this to flip the object.

If you need to, you can also flip the object vertically.

Step 3 – Resize and Angle the Object

When the fox is flipped, we can rotate the fox’s angle.

Hover your cursor over one of the bounding box’s corners. When the bent arrow pointer appears, click and drag the box to change its angle.

Release the cursor. To enlarge the fox, click on the bounding box’s handles and drag it outwards.

When you have the desired angle and size, click Enter on your keyboard.

A pop-up window will appear while Photoshop analyzes the new background and evaluates how to merge the object onto it.

When Photoshop’s AI has finished, you can tweak the edit using the Content-Aware Move tool’s options bar.

In the image below, we changed the Structure value to zero. The result is a little off, not terrible, but definitely not a perfect blend.

In the example below, the Structure value was set to 7. Now, the edges around the fox merge seamlessly with its new background.

Step 4 – Deselect

When you have finalized the edits, it is time to deselect.

Hold Command + D (for Macs) or Ctrl + D (for Windows), and the marching ants will disappear.

Alternatively, head to the main menu and select Select > Deselect.

Below are some examples of the final product: the two foxes jumping in delight or fright.

All that is needed in the composition is something the foxes are reacting to. Perhaps a tortoise, a gingerbread man, or even a small spider.

In the image below, the new fox is larger, giving the impression that it’s closer to the camera. This gives the image an added dimension.

The Content-Aware Move tool is a powerful AI tool, although not every edit will be exactly perfect.

However, it cuts a lot of editing corners and saves time.

That’s it for the Content-Aware Move tool. Let us know in the comments if you know of any extra editing tricks you can use with this tool.

We hope you enjoyed this tutorial. If you want to try out more Photoshop AI tools, check out Photoshop’s AI Generative Expand Tool ( Tutorial and Tips).

FAQ

How do I use the Move tool in Photoshop?

To use the Move tool in Photoshop, first select it from the toolbar to the left of your workspace. You will find it at the top of the toolbar.

Using your cursor, click on the object you wish to move in your canvas workspace. Now drag the object into position and release the cursor.

How do I use Content Aware selection in Photoshop?

To use the Content-Aware selection in Photoshop, first make a selection using one of Photoshop’s selection tools.

Head to the main menu bar and click Edit > Content-Aware Fill.

The Content-Aware dialogue window will open. Adapt the settings to suit your image, and press OK to apply the edit.

How do you shift Content-Aware fill in Photoshop?

You can use the Shift key as a shortcut to access Photoshop’s Content-Aware Fill.

Hold down the Shift key and hit Delete (for Macs) or Shift + Backspace (for Windows).

How do I use the Content-Aware scale in Photoshop?

To use the Content-Aware scale in Photoshop, first create a selection of the area you wish to scale.

Head to the main menu and select Edit, then select Content Aware Scale from the drop-down menu.

A bounding box will now frame the selection. Drag the box’s handles to scale the selection.