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18.5.2 Selecting Parts of Images
It is often useful to perform an image operation on only part of an image. To do this,
the part of the image with which to work must be selected. Areas can be selected using
the select tools available in the toolbox, using the quick mask, or combining different
options. Selections can also be modified with the items under Select. The selection is
outlined with a dashed line, called marching ants.
Using the Selection Tools
The main select tools are rather easy to use. The paths tool, which can also be used for
more than selecting, is more complicated so is not described here. In the tool options
for the other select tools, use one of the icons in the Mode row to determine whether
the selection should replace, be added to, be subtracted from, or intersect with an existing
selection.
Rect Select
This tool can be used to select rectangular or square areas. In the tool options, select
among Free Select, Fixed Size, and Fixed Aspect Ratio to control the shape and
size of the selection. To make a square selection in the free select mode, hold Shift
while selecting a region.
Ellipse Select
Use this to select elliptical or circular areas. The same options are available as with
rectangular selection. Holding Shift during selection produces a circle.
Free Select (Lasso)
Draw a selection area freehand with this tool by dragging the mouse over the image
with the left mouse button pressed. The end points will be connected with a straight
line when you release the tool. The area inside is then selected.
Fuzzy Select (Magic Wand)
This tools selects a continuous region based on color similarities. Set the maximum
difference between colors in the tool options dialog in Threshold.
By Color Select
With this, select all the pixels in the image with the same or similar color as the
clicked pixel. The maximum difference between colors can be set in the tool options
dialog in Threshold.
Manipulating Graphics with The GIMP
235
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Troubleshooting
