inpainting mask

**Inpainting mask** is the **binary or soft selection map that defines which image regions are edited during inpainting** - it is the primary control signal for local edit boundaries and preservation zones. **What Is Inpainting mask?** - **Definition**: Masked pixels are regenerated while unmasked pixels are preserved as context. - **Mask Types**: Hard masks enforce strict boundaries, while soft masks allow gradual blending. - **Granularity**: Masks can target fine details, objects, or large scene regions. - **Authoring**: Created manually, via segmentation models, or with interactive selection tools. **Why Inpainting mask Matters** - **Edit Precision**: Accurate masks reduce accidental changes to protected image areas. - **Boundary Quality**: Mask shape strongly influences seam visibility and blend realism. - **Automation**: Reliable mask generation enables scalable editing workflows. - **Safety Control**: Masks constrain edits to approved regions in regulated applications. - **Failure Cost**: Bad masks cause bleeding, halos, or incomplete object replacement. **How It Is Used in Practice** - **Edge Prep**: Dilate or feather masks slightly for smoother context transitions. - **Mask Review**: Inspect masks at full resolution before generation runs. - **Pipeline QA**: Track edit leakage and boundary artifact rates by mask source type. Inpainting mask is **the key localization control for inpainting workflows** - inpainting mask quality is often the biggest determinant of whether local edits look natural.