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.