Creative AI production and art direction · Module 1: Creative AI production and art direction in practice
Inpainting and local edits
Learning outcome: Define what changes and inspect what should remain.
Inpainting edits a selected region of an image, often using a mask and a text instruction. It is useful when a small area needs repair or replacement. Tool behaviour differs, and neighbouring areas or overall appearance may still change.
Keep the original asset and describe the intended edit precisely. Make the mask include the relevant boundary and inspect the seam, lighting and shadows afterwards. Compare the unedited regions too. A successful local edit should satisfy the requested change without quietly altering meaningful content elsewhere. For documentary material, preserve an honest record of alterations rather than presenting an edited image as an untouched original.
Worked example
A fictional poster illustration contains a red mug that should be green. The edit changes the mug but also alters the person's hand and removes a background sign. The mug's new colour is only one acceptance check. Comparing the full before-and-after image reveals the unintended changes.
Try it yourself
Write a local-edit brief for the mug. List the area to change, the features to preserve and three places to inspect afterwards.
You can do this exercise on paper. If using an assistant, keep to the fictional material and an approved tool.
Compare your approach
Inspect the mug edge, the hand and the surrounding scene. Keep the original for comparison. If the tool changes unrelated content, narrow or revise the edit rather than accepting collateral changes because the requested colour is correct.
Check your understanding
What should be reviewed after a local edit?
- Only the new colour
- Only the file size
- The requested area and supposedly unchanged regions
Show the answer and explanation
Answer: The requested area and supposedly unchanged regions. Local edits can alter neighbouring or supposedly preserved content. Compare the whole result with the original, including boundaries, lighting and meaningful details.
Workbook
Download the course workbook to record your answer and compare it after the knowledge check.