Chapter 3 Making Selections

Chapter Lessons Make a selection using shapes Modify a marquee Select using color and modify a selection Add a vignette effect to a selection © 2009 Delmar Cengage Learning 2

Combining Images Most Photoshop images are created using compositing: –Combining images from different sources © 2009 Delmar Cengage Learning 3

Sources for Images Other Photoshop images Royalty-free images Pictures from digital cameras Scanned artwork Original artwork created in other programs Other sources that have given you permission © 2009 Delmar Cengage Learning 4

Understanding Selection Tools Selection tools are used to select images in order to modify them Two common selection methods are available: –Using a tool –Using color © 2009 Delmar Cengage Learning 5

Choosing a Selection Tool Examine images to evaluate selection options Learn how to identify useable edges to isolate imagery Learn how to spot colors that can be used to isolate a specific object © 2009 Delmar Cengage Learning 6

Make a Selection Using Shapes Selecting by Shape Use Freeform tools to select irregular shapes –Click the tool on the Tools panel, then drag the pointer around the object Use Fixed-Area tools to select objects that are rectangular or elliptical 7 © 2009 Delmar Cengage Learning

Selection Tools Available © 2009 Delmar Cengage Learning 8

Understanding Marquees A selected shaped is enclosed by a marquee 9 © 2009 Delmar Cengage Learning Elliptical Marquee Marquee surrounding an irregular shape

Fastening Points An anchor within the marquee Created each time the selection tool is clicked Visible when Polygonal or Magnetic Lasso tools are used to select an object 10 © 2009 Delmar Cengage Learning

Working with Selections Move a selection Copy a selection Transform a selection Make adjustments to a selection To deselect an image, click Select on the Application bar, then click Deselect 11 © 2009 Delmar Cengage Learning

Placing a Selection Copy or cut a selection, then paste it to a different location or to a different image Use the Move tool to drag a selection to a new location 12 © 2009 Delmar Cengage Learning

Selection Hints © 2009 Delmar Cengage Learning 13

Using Guides Non-printable horizontal and vertical lines Used to help position a selection To create a guide –Position the pointer on either ruler –Click and drag the guide into position 14 © 2009 Delmar Cengage Learning

Using the Magnetic Lasso Tool Use the Magnetic Lasso tool to select an irregular shape Click the tool on the edge of the shape to create a fastening point Drag the pointer around the shape Click directly over the initial fastening point to close the shape 15 © 2009 Delmar Cengage Learning

Magnetic Lasso Tool Settings © 2009 Delmar Cengage Learning 16

Tips for making selections Move the mouse slowly: don’t rush Keep your hand steady Make sure your mouse is functioning properly 17 © 2009 Delmar Cengage Learning

Modify a Marquee Changing the Size of a Marquee Use selection buttons from the options bar to: –Add to and subtract from a marquee –Intersect with a selection 18 © 2009 Delmar Cengage Learning

Expanding a Marquee © 2009 Delmar Cengage Learning 19 Marquee surrounds rectangle Selection expanded to include three shapes Marquee expanded by 5 pixels

Using the Quick Selection Tool Paint to select an object Uses a resizable brush Add and subtract from selection © 2009 Delmar Cengage Learning 20

Marquee Modifications Expand a marquee Contract a marquee Smooth out the edges of a marquee Enlarge a marquee and add a border 21 © 2009 Delmar Cengage Learning

Select Using Color and Modify a Selection Selection Options Use the Color Range command on the Select menu or Use the Magic Wand tool on the Tools panel 22 © 2009 Delmar Cengage Learning

Using the Color Range Command Select the Color Range command to open the Color Range dialog box Identify which colors to use to make a selection Exclude colors, if necessary Click Select on the Application bar, then click Color Range to open the Color Range dialog box 23 © 2009 Delmar Cengage Learning

Magic Wand Tool Options Four selection buttons Tolerance setting used to specify whether similar pixels will be selected Anti-aliased check box used to soften the appearance of the selection 24 © 2009 Delmar Cengage Learning

More Magic Wand Tool Options Contiguous check box used to select pixels that are next to one another Use All Layers check box used to select pixels from all layers 25 © 2009 Delmar Cengage Learning

Selection Tips Identify the shape to select Assess the qualities of the object Decide which method to use: color or magic wand –Color: object includes common colors –Magic wand: object includes identifiable edges and a definable shape 26 © 2009 Delmar Cengage Learning

Transforming a Selection You transform a selection by changing its size and other qualities –Click Edit on the Application bar, point to Transform then select one of the Transform commands 27 © 2009 Delmar Cengage Learning

Flipping a Selection Transform a selection by flipping it (changing its direction): –Click Edit on the Application bar –Point to Transform, then click Flip Horizontal 28 © 2009 Delmar Cengage Learning

Healing Brush Tool Use the Healing Brush tool on the Tools panel to fix imperfections in an image Example of imperfections: –Dirt and scratches in a picture –Wrinkles on a face 29 © 2009 Delmar Cengage Learning

Add a Vignette Effect to a Selection Defining Vignettes A picture or portrait whose border fades into the surrounding color at its edges 30 © 2009 Delmar Cengage Learning

Uses for Vignettes Give an image an old-world appearance Tone down an overwhelming background 31 © 2009 Delmar Cengage Learning

Vignette Characteristics A vignette effect uses feathering to fade a marquee shape The feather setting blurs the area between the selection and the surrounding pixels © 2009 Delmar Cengage Learning 32

Vignette Example © 2009 Delmar Cengage Learning 33 Before Vignette applied to Background After Vignette applied to Background

Creating a Vignette Use a marquee or lasso tool to create a marquee in an image layer Modify the feather setting to increase the blur effect Add the vignette effect to the layer: –Click Layer on the Application bar –Point to Add Layer Mask –Click Reveal Selection © 2009 Delmar Cengage Learning 34