WOrKInG WIth seLeCtIOns

about selecting and selection tools

Making changes to an area within an image in Photoshop is a two-step process.
You first select the part of an image you want to change with one of the selection
tools. Then, you use another tool, filter, or other feature to make changes, such as
moving the selected pixels to another location or applying a filter to the selected
area. You can make selections based on size, shape, and color. The selection process
limits changes to within the selected area. Other areas are unaffected.

The best selection tool for a specific area often depends on the characteristics of
that area, such as shape or color. There are four types of selections:

Geometric selections The Rectangular Marquee tool ( ) selects a rectangular
area in an image. The Elliptical Marquee tool ( ), which is hidden behind the
Rectangular Marquee tool, selects elliptical areas. The Single Row Marquee
tool ( ) and Single Column Marquee tool ( ) select either a 1-pixel-high row
or a 1-pixel-wide column, respectively.

Freehand selections The Lasso tool ( ) traces a freehand selection around an area.

The Polygonal Lasso tool ( ) sets anchor points in straight-line segments around an

area. The Magnetic Lasso tool ( ) works something like a combination of the other

two lasso tools, and gives the best results when good contrast exists between the

area you want to select and its surroundings.

Edge-based selections The Quick Selection tool ( ) quickly “paints” a selection by

automatically finding and following defined edges in the image.

Color-based selections The Magic Wand tool ( ) selects parts of an image based

on the similarity in color of adjacent pixels. It is useful for selecting odd-shaped

areas that share a specific range of colors.