Final answer:
Decontaminate colors is used in image editing software to remove unwanted edge colors or halos from objects that have been cut out and placed over a new background, improving the blending of edges.
Step-by-step explanation:
When referring to "Decontaminate colors" in output settings, we're typically talking about a feature in graphic design and image editing software such as Adobe Photoshop. This feature is used to minimize or eliminate the fringe of unwanted colors that can sometimes appear around objects that have been extracted from a background, known as edge halos. When a subject is cut out from one background and placed over another, sometimes the original background can bleed into the edges of the subject. The "Decontaminate colors" function helps to remove this color spill, blending the edges with the new background more smoothly.
The effectiveness of this tool can vary depending on the complexity of the edges and the contrast between the subject and the background. It's particularly useful in compositing tasks where precision is key, and where the edges of the subject need to integrate seamlessly into a new background. It's a feature that can save a considerable amount of manual touch-up time.