Creating pixel selections

A pixel selection is simply a drawn area on your image (bounded by a flashing dashed line, often called 'marching ants'). A selection is created for various reasons:

To limit editing (e.g., painting, applying fills, etc.) to within that selection area only.
To selectively copy pixels.
As a precursor to creating a mask layer.
To draw areas for removal (cutout).

Selection boundaries are defined depending on whether individual pixels are included or excluded.

Once your selection has been created, you can invert it so all included pixels are excluded and vice versa.

Selection tools

You can create a pixel selection using the Selection Brush Tool or Marquee Selection Tools or base it on a layer. Using the Flood Select Tool, you can also define a selection of similar color value pixels with a single click. Selections created using the Marquee tools align to individual pixels.

Once your selection has been created, you can invert it so all included pixels are excluded and vice versa.

Selection modes

When working with, and creating, selections, you may have access to the following Modes which affect how your selection develops:

New—cancels all current selections and creates a new selection.
Add—adds areas to the current selection. If there is no selection in place, a new selection will be created.
Subtract—removes areas from the current selection.
Intersect—a new selection area is created from the overlap between the newly added selection area and the current selection.

To paint a pixel selection:

From the Tools panel, select the Selection Brush Tool.
Adjust the settings on the context toolbar.
Drag on your page.

To create a pixel selection using a Marquee Selection tool:

From the Tools panel, select the Rectangular, Elliptical, Row or Column Marquee Tool.
Adjust the settings on the context toolbar.
Drag on your page.

To draw a pixel selection:

From the Tools panel, select the Freehand Selection Tool.
On the context toolbar, choose a selection Type.
Do one of the following:
- With Freehand selected, drag on the page to draw the edge of the selection and release to close the selection.
- With Polygon selected, click to define the beginning of the selection and then click for every change in direction.
- With Magnetic selected, click to define the beginning of the selection and then click to place a custom node position. Automatic nodes will be placed along distinct image edges as the cursor moves.
Double-click to close the selection (Polygon and Magnetic only).

To create a pixel selection from a layer:

On the Layers panel, click the chosen layer's thumbnail while pressing the .

To remove a pixel selection:

From the Select menu, select Deselect.

To invert a marquee selection:

With a selection in place, from the Select menu, select Invert Pixel Selection.

Selection tools

Selection modes

SEE ALSO: