Selection Brush Tool Painting pixel selections

Using the Selection Brush Tool you can define a selection by painting on your page.

Default Selection Brush 'expansion' behavior

By default the Selection Brush Tool is set to expand the selection to include similar color value pixels to those selected, even if these are not directly painted. In other words, the selection will grow up to high contrast edges within the image.

Before
After
Before and after selection painted.

The number of pixels selected is determined by the size (width) of the brush in two ways:

This makes selecting an area of similar color and tone effortless.

Alternative 'non-expansion' behavior

As an alternative to the expansion method detailed above, the Selection Brush Tool also has a non-expansion method of selection. This method will only select pixels which are under the brush when the stroke is painted. To use this method, clear the box next to Snap to edges.

Non-expansion
Expansion
Difference in selection method between non-expansion (before) and expansion (after).

Selection edge fidelity

Pixels along the edge of a selection made using the Selection Brush Tool are fully opaque by default, which may result in a ragged edge when the selection is, for example, used as a mask or to composite a cut-out against a new background.

If the area being selected has a relatively simple edge, turn on Soft edges on the context toolbar and then make your selection. The tool will antialias the selection's edge; some pixels will be semi-transparent, giving an appearance that is less sharp yet often more desirable.

Soft edges comparison
Edge fidelity of a selection made with the Soft edges option disabled (left) and enabled (right).

For complex edges, such as finely detailed hair or fur, better results can be achieved using the tool's Refine option.

Selection Brush Tool To create a pixel selection:

With the Selection Brush Tool selected:

  1. Adjust the context toolbar settings. (See Selection Brush Tool for details.)
  2. Drag on your page.
Selection Brush Tool To refine a pixel selection:

With the Selection Brush Tool selected, do any of the following:

See the note below for details.

Selection Brush Tool To set 'non-expansion' method:

SEE ALSO: