Softening Mask/Selection Edges

Hmmmmm....

1.) So if I make a selection, I can go into the "Select" menu and choose to feather the
selection.

2.) If I open the Mask palette after I've created a masked selection, I have the option to
feather again.
3.) If I go into the Refine Edge dialogue from the Mask palette, I can do a Smart Radius on
the perimeter of the mask, or play with a slider called "Smooth," or I have a feather
slider yet again.

What are the differences between these?
Is there any difference as to which dialogue you choose to feather from?
Are there situations where one of these is better than the other?
Are any of these different/better/worse than using some sort of Gaussian blur or painted blur around a selection or mask edge?

So freaking confusing!

1) cannot be edited after you've done it (apart from doing CtrlZ), the others can.
3) Offers more options.

Feather does the same then applying a gaussian blur to a mask (at least, in PSCS6).

http://photoshop-tutorials.wonderhowto.​com …aussian-blur-tool-380859/

http://www.retouchpro.​com …2-feather-blur-masks.html

http://yanikphotoschoo​l.com …photoshop-video-tutorial/

René Damkot wrote in post #14930421
Feather does the same then applying a gaussian blur to a mask (at least, in PSCS6).

From what I do know, feathering blurs the perimeter of the selection/mask into what's around it, while simultaneously blurring what's around it into the perimeter. Correct?

When you apply a gaussian blur to a mask, wouldn't it blur the entire thing (sounds like a bad thing?)

RandMan wrote in post #14931383
From what I do know, feathering blurs the perimeter of the selection/mask into what's around it, while simultaneously blurring what's around it into the perimeter. Correct?

Yep.

RandMan wrote in post #14931383
When you apply a gaussian blur to a mask, wouldn't it blur the entire thing (sounds like a bad thing?)

What's the difference?
Solid black stays black when blurred, only the transitions get softer…

René Damkot wrote in post #14934291
What's the difference?
Solid black stays black when blurred, only the transitions get softer…

Eureka--that's it! Thank you