Working with selection
•Use the marquee, lasso, and magic wand tools to
select parts of an image in various ways.
•Reposition a selection marquee.
•Deselect a selection.
•Move and duplicate a selection.
•Constrain the movement of a selection.
•Adjust a selection with the arrow keys.
•Add to and subtract from selections.
•Rotate, scale, and transform a selection.
•Combine selection tools.
•Crop an image.
Tool overview
In Adobe Photoshop, you can make selections based on size, shape, and color using four basic sets
of tools—the marquee, lasso, magic wand, and pen tools. In addition, you can use a fifth tool, the
move tool, to reposition the selections you create.
In Adobe Photoshop, you can make selections based on size, shape, and color using four basic sets
of tools—the marquee, lasso, magic wand, and pen tools. In addition, you can use a fifth tool, the
move tool, to reposition the selections you create.
A.Marquee tool
B. Move tool
C. Lasso tool
D. Magic wand tool
The marquee and lasso tool icons contain hidden tools, which you can select by holding down the mouse button on the toolbox icon and dragging to the desired tool in the pop-up menu.The rectangular marquee tool lets you select a rectangular area in an image. The elliptical marquee tool lets you select elliptical areas. The single row and single column marquee tools let you select a 1-pixel-high row and 1-pixel-wide column. You can also use the crop tool to crop an image. The lasso tool lets you make a freehand selection around an area. The polygon lasso tool lets you make a straight-line selection around an area. The magnetic lasso tool lets you draw a freehand border that snaps to the edges of an area. The magic wand tool lets you select parts of an image based on the similarity in color of adjacent pixels. This tool is useful for selecting odd-shaped areas without having to trace a complex outline using the lasso tool.
Selecting with the rectangular marquee tool
1. Click the rectangle marquee tool in the toolbox.
2. Drag it diagonally from the top left to the bottom right corner of the melon to create a rectangular selection.
You can move a selection border after you’ve created it by positioning the tool within the selection and dragging. Notice this technique changes the location of just the selection border; it does not affect the size or shape of the selection.
3. Place the marquee tool anywhere inside the selection surrounding the melon. The pointer becomes an arrow with a
small selection icon next to it.
4. Drag to reposition the border around the melon.
Note: Repositioning techniques for selection borders work with any of the marquee, lasso, and magic wand tools. If
you are still not happy with the selection after repositioning it, you can deselect it and redraw it.
5. Deselect the selection by using either of these methods:
• Choose Select > Deselect.
• Click anywhere in the window outside the selection border.
6. Reselect the melon using the rectangle marquee tool.
5. Deselect the selection by using either of these methods:
• Choose Select > Deselect.
• Click anywhere in the window outside the selection border.
6. Reselect the melon using the rectangle marquee tool.
To back up one action at any point in the lesson, choose Edit > Undo.
Selecting with the elliptical marquee tool
Next you’ll use the elliptical marquee tool to select eyes for the face. Note that in most cases, making a new selection replaces the existing selection.
1. Select the zoom tool and click twice on the blueberry to zoom in to a 300% view.
2. Hold down the mouse button on the rectangular marquee tool, and drag to the elliptical marquee tool .
3. Move the pointer over the blueberry, and drag it diagonally from the top left to the bottom right edge of the blue berry to create a selection. Do not release the mouse button.
Repositioning a selection border while creating it
If a selection border isn’t placed exactly where you want it, you can adjust its position and size while
creating it.
1. Still holding down the mouse button, hold down the space bar and drag the selection. The border
moves as you drag.
2 .Release the space bar (but not the mouse button), and drag again. Notice that when you drag without the space bar,the size and shape of the selection changes, but its point of origin does not.
Incorrect point of origin Corrected point of origin Adjusted border
(Click and drag) (Space bar depressed) (Spacebar released)
(Click and drag) (Space bar depressed) (Spacebar released)
3. When the selection border is positioned and sized correctly, release the mouse button Selecting from a center point
Sometimes it’s easier to make elliptical or rectangular selections by drawing a selection from the
center point of the object to the outside edge. Using this method, you’ll reselect the blueberry.
1. Choose Select > Deselect.
2. Position the marquee tool at the approximate center of the blueberry.
3 .Click and begin dragging. Then without releasing the mouse button, hold down Alt (Windows) or Option (Mac
Sometimes it’s easier to make elliptical or rectangular selections by drawing a selection from the
center point of the object to the outside edge. Using this method, you’ll reselect the blueberry.
1. Choose Select > Deselect.
2. Position the marquee tool at the approximate center of the blueberry.
3 .Click and begin dragging. Then without releasing the mouse button, hold down Alt (Windows) or Option (Mac
OS), and continue dragging the selection to the blueberry’s outer edge. Notice that the selection is centered over its starting point.
4. When you have the entire blueberry selected, release first the mouse button and then the
Alt/Option key.
If necessary, adjust the selection border using one of the methods you learned earlier.
4. When you have the entire blueberry selected, release first the mouse button and then the
Alt/Option key.
If necessary, adjust the selection border using one of the methods you learned earlier.
Moving a selection
Now you’ll use the move tool to move the blueberry onto the carrot slice to create an eye for the face.
Then you’ll duplicate and move the selection to make a second eye.
1. Make sure that the blueberry is selected. Then click the move tool ( ), and position the point within the blueberry’s
Now you’ll use the move tool to move the blueberry onto the carrot slice to create an eye for the face.
Then you’ll duplicate and move the selection to make a second eye.
1. Make sure that the blueberry is selected. Then click the move tool ( ), and position the point within the blueberry’s
selection. The pointer becomes an arrow with a pair of scissors to indicate that dragging the selection will cut it
from its present location and move it to the new location.
2. Drag the blueberry onto the carrot slice.
2. Drag the blueberry onto the carrot slice.
Move tool placed Blueberry moved onto
within blueberry carrot slice selection
3 Choose Select > Deselect.
4 Choose File > Save.
4 Choose File > Save.
Moving and duplicating simultaneously
Next you’ll move and duplicate a selection simultaneously.
1 Choose View > Fit on Screen to re size the document to fit on your screen.
2 Select the elliptical marquee tool.
3 Drag a selection around the carrot slice containing the blueberry. If necessary, adjust the selection border using one
Next you’ll move and duplicate a selection simultaneously.
1 Choose View > Fit on Screen to re size the document to fit on your screen.
2 Select the elliptical marquee tool.
3 Drag a selection around the carrot slice containing the blueberry. If necessary, adjust the selection border using one
of the methods you learned earlier.
4.Click the move tool, then hold down Alt (Windows) or Option (Mac OS), and position the pointer within the
selection. The pointer becomes a double arrow, which indicates that a duplicate will be made when you move the
selection.
5. Continue holding down Alt/Option, and drag a duplicate of the eye onto the left side of the melon face. Release the
mouse button and Alt/Option, but do not deselect the eye. Holding down Shift when you move a selection
constrains the movement horizontally or vertically. Using this technique, you’ll drag a copy of the left eye to the
right side of the face so that the two eyes are level.
6. Hold down Shift+Alt (Windows) or Shift+Option (Mac OS), and drag a copy of the eye to the right side of the
6. Hold down Shift+Alt (Windows) or Shift+Option (Mac OS), and drag a copy of the eye to the right side of the
face.
7. Choose File > Save.
7. Choose File > Save.
Eye moved onto left side of face Duplicate of eye moved with
Shift+Alt/Option
Shift+Alt/Option
Moving with a keyboard shortcut
Next you’ll select the kiwi fruit for the melon’s mouth and then move it onto the melon using a
keyboard shortcut. The shortcut allows you to temporarily access the move tool instead of selecting
it from the toolbox.
1. Select the elliptical marquee tool from the toolbox.
2. Drag a selection around the kiwi fruit using one of the methods you learned earlier.
3.With the marquee tool still selected, hold down Control (Windows) or Command (Mac OS), and position the
Next you’ll select the kiwi fruit for the melon’s mouth and then move it onto the melon using a
keyboard shortcut. The shortcut allows you to temporarily access the move tool instead of selecting
it from the toolbox.
1. Select the elliptical marquee tool from the toolbox.
2. Drag a selection around the kiwi fruit using one of the methods you learned earlier.
3.With the marquee tool still selected, hold down Control (Windows) or Command (Mac OS), and position the
pointer within the selection. A pair of scissors appears with the pointer to indicate the selection will be cut from its
current location.
4. Drag the kiwi mouth onto the face. Do not deselect.
The magic wand tool lets you select adjacent pixels in an image based on their similarity in color.
You’ll use the magic wand tool to select the pear tomato, which you’ll use as a nose for the face.
1. Double-click the magic wand tool ( ) in the toolbox to select the tool and display its Options palette.
Notice that the Options palette has moved to the front of the Info/Navigator/Options palette group.
Note:Most tools in the toolbox come with their own Options palettes, which allow you to change the
way the tools work.
In the Magic Wand Options palette, the Tolerance setting controls how many similar tones of a color
are selected when you click an area. The default value is 32, indicating that 32 similar lighter tones
and 32 similar darker tones will be selected.
Note:Most tools in the toolbox come with their own Options palettes, which allow you to change the
way the tools work.
In the Magic Wand Options palette, the Tolerance setting controls how many similar tones of a color
are selected when you click an area. The default value is 32, indicating that 32 similar lighter tones
and 32 similar darker tones will be selected.
2. For Tolerance, enter 50 to increase the number of shades that will be selected
3. Click the magic wand tool anywhere within the pear tomato. Most of it will be selected.
4.To select the remaining area of the pear tomato, hold down Shift and click the unselected
4.To select the remaining area of the pear tomato, hold down Shift and click the unselected
areas.Notice that a plus sign appears with the magic wand pointer indicating that you’re adding to the
current selection.
current selection.
Initial selection Adding to selection Complete selection
(Shift key depressed)
(Shift key depressed)
5. When the pear tomato is completely selected, hold down Control (Windows) or Command
(MacOS), position the pointer within the selection, and drag the tomato nose onto the melon face.
6. Choose Select > Deselect.
7. Choose File > Save.
6. Choose Select > Deselect.
7. Choose File > Save.
Selecting with the lasso
tool
You can use the lasso tool to make selections that
require both freehand and straight lines. You’ll select a bow tie for the face
using the lasso tool this way. It takes a bit of practice to use the lasso tool
to alternate between straight line and freehand selections if you make a
mistake while you’re selecting the bow tie, simply deselect and start again
1. Select the zoom tool, and click twice on the bow
tie pasta to enlarge its view to 300%.
2. Select the lasso tool. Starting at the top left
corner of the bow tie pasta, drag to the right to create a
freehand outline across the curves at the
top of the bow tie. Continue holding down the mouse.
3. To select the right edge of the bow tie, hold down
Alt (Windows) or Option (Mac OS), release the mouse
button, and then begin outlining with
short, straight lines by clicking along the edge. (Notice that the
pointer changes from the lasso icon to the
polygon lasso icon.) When you reach the bottom right corner of
the bow tie, do not release the mouse
button.
lasso tool polygon lasso tool crosses starting point)
4. Release Alt/Option, and drag to the left to create
a freehand outline across the bottom of the bow tie. (The
pointer returns to the lasso icon.)
5. Hold down Alt/Option again, and click the mouse
button along the left edge of the bow tie to draw straight
lines.
6. To complete the selection, make sure that the last
straight line crosses the start of the selection, release
Alt/Option, and then release the mouse
button.
7. Choose View > Fit on Screen to re size the
document to fit on your screen.
8. Hold down Control (Windows) or Command (Mac OS),
and drag the bow tie selection to the bottom of the
melon face.
9. Choose File > Save.
Adding and subtracting selections
Holding down Shift while you are selecting an area adds to the current selection; holding down Alt
(Windows) or Option (Mac OS) subtracts from the selection. You’ll now use these techniques with
the lasso tool to perfect a rough selection of the mushroom image. The mushroom will become a
hat for the melon face.
1.Select the zoom tool, and click twice on the mushroom to enlarge its view to 300%.
2.Select the lasso tool, and drag a rough outline around the mushroom (include some of the area outside the
(Windows) or Option (Mac OS) subtracts from the selection. You’ll now use these techniques with
the lasso tool to perfect a rough selection of the mushroom image. The mushroom will become a
hat for the melon face.
1.Select the zoom tool, and click twice on the mushroom to enlarge its view to 300%.
2.Select the lasso tool, and drag a rough outline around the mushroom (include some of the area outside the
mushroom and some of the stem).
3.Hold down Shift. A plus sign appears with the lasso tool pointer.
4.Drag the lasso tool around an area you want to add to the selection; then release the mouse button. The area is
3.Hold down Shift. A plus sign appears with the lasso tool pointer.
4.Drag the lasso tool around an area you want to add to the selection; then release the mouse button. The area is
added to the current selection.
Initial selection Adding to selection Result
(Shift key depressed)
Note: If you release the mouse button while drawing a selection with the lasso tool, the selection closes
itself by drawing a straight line between the starting point and the point where you release the mouse.
To create a more precise border, end the selection by crossing the starting point.
Next, you’ll remove, or subtract, part of the selection.
5. Hold down Alt (Windows) or Option (Mac OS). A minus sign appears with the lasso tool pointer.
6. Drag the lasso tool around an area you want to remove from the selection; then repeat the process until you’ve
itself by drawing a straight line between the starting point and the point where you release the mouse.
To create a more precise border, end the selection by crossing the starting point.
Next, you’ll remove, or subtract, part of the selection.
5. Hold down Alt (Windows) or Option (Mac OS). A minus sign appears with the lasso tool pointer.
6. Drag the lasso tool around an area you want to remove from the selection; then repeat the process until you’ve
finished removing all the unwanted parts of the selection.
Selection Subtracting from selection Result
(Alt/Option depressed)
7.Choose View > Fit on Screen.
8. To move the mushroom hat onto the melon head, hold down Alt+Control (Windows) or
Option+Command (Mac OS), and drag a copy of the mushroom to the top of the melon.
9.Choose File > Save.
(Alt/Option depressed)
7.Choose View > Fit on Screen.
8. To move the mushroom hat onto the melon head, hold down Alt+Control (Windows) or
Option+Command (Mac OS), and drag a copy of the mushroom to the top of the melon.
9.Choose File > Save.
Selecting with the magnetic lasso
You can use the magnetic lasso tool to make freehand selections of areas with high contrast edges.
When you draw with the magnetic lasso, the border automatically snaps to the edge you are tracing.
You can also control the direction of the tool’s path by clicking the mouse to place occasional
fastening points in the selection border.
You’ll now make an ear for the melon face by using the magnetic lasso to select the red part of the
grapefruit slice.
1. Select the zoom tool, and click the grapefruit slice to zoom in to a 200% view.
2.Hold down the mouse button on the lasso tool in the toolbox, and drag to the magnetic lasso tool to select it.3.Now click once at the lower left corner of the red flesh of the grapefruit slice, release the mouse button, and begin
You can use the magnetic lasso tool to make freehand selections of areas with high contrast edges.
When you draw with the magnetic lasso, the border automatically snaps to the edge you are tracing.
You can also control the direction of the tool’s path by clicking the mouse to place occasional
fastening points in the selection border.
You’ll now make an ear for the melon face by using the magnetic lasso to select the red part of the
grapefruit slice.
1. Select the zoom tool, and click the grapefruit slice to zoom in to a 200% view.
2.Hold down the mouse button on the lasso tool in the toolbox, and drag to the magnetic lasso tool to select it.3.Now click once at the lower left corner of the red flesh of the grapefruit slice, release the mouse button, and begin
tracing the outline of the flesh by dragging to the right over the curved upper edge. Notice that the tool snaps to the
edge and automatically puts in fastening points. if you think the tool is not following the edge closely enough (in low
contrast areas), you can place your own fastening point in the border by clicking the mouse button. You can add as
many fastening points as you feel necessary. You can also remove fastening points and back up in the path by
pressing the Delete key and moving the mouse back to the last remaining fastening point.
4. When you reach the lower right corner of the grapefruit flesh, double-click the mouse button,which signals the
4. When you reach the lower right corner of the grapefruit flesh, double-click the mouse button,which signals the
magnetic lasso tool to return to the starting point and close the selection. Notice that the tool automatically follows
the remaining edge of the flesh as it completes the border.
Laying down fastening Removing fastening Double-clicking at corner to
points points close path You
You can now move the selected part of the grapefruit next to the melon.
5. Double-click the hand tool ( ) to fit the image on screen.
6. Click the move tool, and drag the grapefruit ear to the middle of the left side of the melon face. Do not deselect.
7. Choose File > Save.
Transforming a selection
Next you’ll use the Free Transform command to rotate and scale the melon’s left ear, and then you’ll
duplicate and flip a copy to create a right ear.
1. Choose Edit > Free Transform. A bounding box appears around the ear selection.
2. To rotate the ear, position the pointer outside a corner handle until you see a double-headed arrow, and then drag
Next you’ll use the Free Transform command to rotate and scale the melon’s left ear, and then you’ll
duplicate and flip a copy to create a right ear.
1. Choose Edit > Free Transform. A bounding box appears around the ear selection.
2. To rotate the ear, position the pointer outside a corner handle until you see a double-headed arrow, and then drag
in the direction you want the ear to rotate. Notice that the ear rotates around the selection’s center point ( ).
3.To scale the ear, position the pointer directly on one of the corner handles, and drag to reduce the size of the ear.
3.To scale the ear, position the pointer directly on one of the corner handles, and drag to reduce the size of the ear.
To scale the ear proportionately, hold down Shift as you drag.
4. To reposition the ear, place your pointer within the bounding box, but not on the center point,
and drag.
Note:If you place the pointer on the center point and drag, you will move the center point.
4. To reposition the ear, place your pointer within the bounding box, but not on the center point,
and drag.
Note:If you place the pointer on the center point and drag, you will move the center point.
Dragging outside Dragging on corner Dragging within border to border to rotate ear to scale ear reposition ear
5. When you have the ear positioned correctly, press Enter (Windows) or Return (Mac OS) to apply the
5. When you have the ear positioned correctly, press Enter (Windows) or Return (Mac OS) to apply the
transformation. The ear remains selected.You will now move a copy of the ear to the right side of the face,
flip the ear horizontally, and fine tune. its placement.
6 Position the pointer within the ear selection, hold down Shift+Alt (Windows) or Shift+Option
(Mac OS), and drag a copy of the ear to the right side of the face.
7. Choose Edit > Transform > Flip Horizontal.
8. If necessary, place the pointer within the selection, and drag to reposition it next to the melon face.
9 If necessary, choose Edit > Free Transform, rotate the ear to fit the right side of the face, and press Enter
6 Position the pointer within the ear selection, hold down Shift+Alt (Windows) or Shift+Option
(Mac OS), and drag a copy of the ear to the right side of the face.
7. Choose Edit > Transform > Flip Horizontal.
8. If necessary, place the pointer within the selection, and drag to reposition it next to the melon face.
9 If necessary, choose Edit > Free Transform, rotate the ear to fit the right side of the face, and press Enter
(Windows) or Return (Mac OS) to complete the transformation.
10.Choose File > Save.
10.Choose File > Save.
Combining selection tools
As you already know, the magic wand tool makes selections based on color. If an object you want to
select is on a solid-colored background, it can be much easier to select the object and the
background and then use the magic wand tool to subtract the background color, leaving the desired
object selected.
You’ll see how this works by using the rectangular marquee tool and the magic wand tool to select
radish eyebrows for the face.
1. Hold down the mouse button on the elliptical marquee tool, and drag to the rectangular marquee tool.
2. Drag a selection around the radishes. Notice that some of the white background is included in the selection.
At this point, the radishes and the white background area are selected. You’ll subtract the white area
from the selection, resulting in only the radishes being selected.
3. Click the magic wand tool in the toolbox; then hold down Alt (Windows) or Option (Mac OS). A minus
As you already know, the magic wand tool makes selections based on color. If an object you want to
select is on a solid-colored background, it can be much easier to select the object and the
background and then use the magic wand tool to subtract the background color, leaving the desired
object selected.
You’ll see how this works by using the rectangular marquee tool and the magic wand tool to select
radish eyebrows for the face.
1. Hold down the mouse button on the elliptical marquee tool, and drag to the rectangular marquee tool.
2. Drag a selection around the radishes. Notice that some of the white background is included in the selection.
At this point, the radishes and the white background area are selected. You’ll subtract the white area
from the selection, resulting in only the radishes being selected.
3. Click the magic wand tool in the toolbox; then hold down Alt (Windows) or Option (Mac OS). A minus
sign appears with the magic wand pointer.
4. Click anywhere in the white area surrounding the radishes. Now only the radishes are selected.
4. Click anywhere in the white area surrounding the radishes. Now only the radishes are selected.
Initial selection Subtracting from Result
selection with
Alt/Option magic wand
selection with
Alt/Option magic wand
5. To duplicate and move the radish eyebrow to the melon face, hold down Alt+Control (Windows)
or Option+Command (Mac OS), and drag the radish above the left eye on the melon face.
Do not deselect.
or Option+Command (Mac OS), and drag the radish above the left eye on the melon face.
Do not deselect.
Left eyebrow placed Right eyebrow placed with Right Right eyebrow
with Alt+Control/Option+ Shift+Alt+Control/ Command eyebrow flipped
with Alt+Control/Option+ Shift+Alt+Control/ Command eyebrow flipped
Shift+Option+Command
6. Hold down Shift+Alt+Control/Shift+Option+Command, position the pointer within the
selection, and drag to duplicate and reposition another eyebrow above the right eye.
selection, and drag to duplicate and reposition another eyebrow above the right eye.
7. Choose Edit > Transform > Flip Horizontal to adjust the right eyebrow. If you like, reposition the
eyebrow using any of the methods you’ve learned.
8. Choose File > Save.
eyebrow using any of the methods you’ve learned.
8. Choose File > Save.
thanks........
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