This video explains Photoshop’s selection tools.
Marquee tools (rectangle, elliptical) select basic shapes for composite images.
Lasso tools select freeform areas: Polygonal for straight edges, Magnetic for snapping to defined edges.
Magic Wand selects areas by color, ideal for high-contrast images.
Quick Selection allows color-based selections with Shift/Alt control.
Object Selection tool simplifies selecting single objects by drawing a region, offering accurate selections and a “hover select” option. It functions similarly to Select Subject, both using Adobe’s AI for precise cutouts.
The Select and Mask workspace combines tools:
- Quick Selection Tool: Color/texture selections.
- Refine Edge Brush Tool: Adjusts borders.
- Brush Tool: Adds/subtracts areas.
- Object Selection and Lasso Tool: As above.
- Hand Tool: Navigation.
- Zoom Tool: Magnification.
Select and Mask settings include:
- Add or Subtract: Adjust refinement area.
- Sample All Layers: Selects across all layers.
- Select Subject: One-click main subject selection.
- Refine Hair: Refines hair, especially with Object Aware.
View Mode Options:
- Color Aware: For simple/contrasting backgrounds.
- Object Aware: For hair/fur on complex backgrounds.
Edge Detection Settings:
- Radius: Defines selection border size (small for sharp, large for soft).
- Smart Radius: Variable-width refinement for varied edges.
Global Refinement Settings:
- Smooth: Reduces border irregularities.
- Feather: Blurs selection transitions.
- Contrast: Increases abruptness of soft transitions (less effective than Smart Radius/refinement tools).
- Shift Edge: Moves soft-edged borders inward/outward to remove background.
Decontaminate Colors is also an option.
Output options allow saving with a layer mask
00:17 Rectangle Marquee, Elliptical Marquee
00:46 Lasso Tools
01:22 Selection Brush Tool
01:40 Magic Wand Tool
02:18 Quick Selection Tool
03:01 Object Selection Tool
03:59 Object Select , Select People
05:00 Select Subject
05:24 Select and Mask