About Selections; Making Pixel Selections - Adobe PHOTOSHOP ELEMENTS Manual

Chapter 5: Selecting
o modify part of an image in Adobe
T
Photoshop Elements, you first select the
area you want to edit in the currently active
layer. You can choose from a variety of specialized
tools for creating selection borders.

About selections

A selected area is indicated by a dotted selection
border, also called a selection marquee. The area
outside the selection border is protected while you
move, copy, paint, or apply special effects to the
isolated area. Selections can only be made on the
active layer.
Since there are two different types of image data—
bitmap and vector—you need to use different
tools to make selections of each type. Bitmap
selection tools include the rectangle marquee tool
( ), elliptical marquee tool (
polygonal lasso tool ( ), and magnetic lasso tool
( ). Vector selection tools include the shape
selection tool ( ) and the magic wand tool ( ).
For more information about bitmap images and
vector graphics, see "About bitmap images and
vector graphics" on page 45.

Making pixel selections

When you select pixels, you are selecting
resolution-dependent information in the image.
You can select pixels in an image by dragging
with the marquee tools or lasso tools, or by
isolating color areas with the magic wand tool.
Making a new selection replaces the existing one.
Additionally, you can create selections that can be
added to or subtracted from existing selections.
Using the Select menu
You can use commands in the Select menu to
select all pixels, to deselect, or to reselect.
To select all pixels on a layer within the canvas
boundaries:
Select the active layer in the Layers palette.
1
2 Choose Select > All.
To deselect selections:
Do one of the following:
• Choose Select > Deselect.
), lasso tool ( ),
• If you are using the rectangle marquee, elliptical
marquee, or lasso tool, click anywhere in the image
outside the selected area.
To reselect the most recent selection:
Choose Select > Reselect.
Using the marquee tools
The marquee tools draw rectangular and elliptical
selection borders. By default, a selection border is
dragged from its corner.
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