This technique can be applied to more than one star at a time. However, for this explanation only one star will be corrected. It typically takes me about 5 minutes to correct a star. The explanation below is a little long to make it clear, but, each step actually doesn't take much time. The approach does use the GAME script to create a mask.
Here is the technique:
- 1) Select the image and expand it so that the pixels in the star are clearly visible. Place the cursor on the left edge of the actual star (not the artifact) as shown in the image below and note the x-position in the readout window as X1.
- 2) Repeat step(1) but with the cursor on the right edge of the actual star and note the x-position as X2.
- 3) Calculate the radius of the star as R=(X2-X1)/2. If the answer isn't an integer round the answer up to the next integer value.
- 4) Calculate the x-center of the star as x=(X1+X2)/2. Round the answer to the nearest integer.
- 5) Repeat steps (1) and (2) but with the cursor on the top and then the bottom of the star and note the y-positions as Y1 and Y2.
- 6) Calculate the y-center of the star as y=(Y1+Y2)/2. Round the answer to the nearest integer.
- 7) Open the GAME script and expand the image about the star being repaired. Select the Ellipses tab and then click the +Add button. Enter the calculated x and y values and then enter R into the a and b boxes. Select the Binary Mask option and deselect the Gradient Mask option. Click on OK button at the bottom to create the mask. Rename the mask as "Mask".
- 8) Open the Convolution process and use the settings shown in the picture below. Apply the process to Mask. This is approximately how the finished star will appear as shown in the second picture below. You can adjust the StdDev parameter to your liking. Increasing StdDev will result in a fuzzier final star. The mask is now complete.
- 9) Make a clone of the image and name it CS. Expand the image until the desired star with artifact is present as shown below.
- 10) Use the CloneStamp tool to cover the star and repair the artifact as shown below.
- 11) Open PixelMath and use the setting shown below. Use the name of your image in place of "Image_w_Artifact". Drag the blue triangle icon onto your image and the star will be repaired as shown in the second picture below.
Hope this is helpful for you.
Steve