Adobe Photoshop is a powerful image editing software that has become the standard in the design industry.
One of the most fundamental skills a designer or editor needs to master in Photoshop is making selections.
In this article, we will cover the basics of selections in Adobe Photoshop.
What is a selection in Photoshop?
In Photoshop, a selection is a way to isolate specific parts of an image to perform a particular operation. You can make a selection by using various selection tools, which we will cover in this article.
Types of Selections in Photoshop:
Photoshop offers several types of selection tools. Each tool has its own unique features and is best suited for specific situations. Here are some of the basic selection tools in Photoshop -
- Marquee Selection Tool
The Marquee selection tool is used to select rectangular or elliptical areas of an image. To use this tool, click and drag the cursor over the area you want to select. You can also add to or subtract from the selection by holding down the shift or alt key while dragging.
- Lasso Selection Tool
The Lasso selection tool is used to make freeform selections. It is best suited for selecting irregularly shaped objects. To use this tool, click and drag around the area you want to select. You can also add to or subtract from the selection by holding down the shift or alt key while dragging.
- Magic Wand Selection Tool
The Magic Wand selection tool is used to select areas of an image that share similar colors. To use this tool, click on the area you want to select. You can adjust the sensitivity of the tool by changing the tolerance setting in the options bar.
- Quick Selection Tool
The Quick Selection tool is used to select an area of an image quickly. It works by analyzing the pixels in the area you click and expanding the selection to similar pixels. To use this tool, click and drag over the area you want to select. You can add to or subtract from the selection by holding down the shift or alt key while dragging.
- Select and Mask
Select and Mask is a powerful selection tool that allows you to refine your selection further. It is best used for complex selections with fine details. To use this tool, select the layer you want to work on and choose Select and Mask from the Select menu. The tool will open in a new window, where you can use various tools to refine your selection.
Conclusion:
Selections are a fundamental part of Adobe Photoshop.
Understanding how to make selections and which tools to use can help you work more efficiently and achieve better results.
By mastering these basic selection tools, you can take your Photoshop skills to the next level.
