LESSON 2
(SELECTION TOOLS)
Move Tools
The move tool allows you to move a selection or entire layer by dragging it with your mouse or using your keyboard arrows keys. The move tool is located at the top right of the Photoshop Toolbox.
When the move tool is selected, click and drag anywhere in the image. By default, if an area is selected the selection will be moved, otherwise the whole layer will be moved. See the options bar for more options.
Marquee Tools
Rectangle Marquee
Make a rectangular selection. Hold the shift key down to constrain the selection to a square.
Elliptical Marquee
Make an elliptical selection. Hold the shift key down to constrain the selection to a circle.
Single Row Marquee
Make a horizontal selection 1 pixel high.
Single Column Marquee
Make a vertical selection 1 pixel wide.
Lasso Tools
The lasso tool is another selection tool that allows more fine control over the selection area than the basic oval and square marquee shapes. By clicking down and dragging, the lasso tool allows you by freehand to draw the selection line. Many programs offer different types of lasso tools that can be used to make selections. The polygon lasso tool allows you to create a selection by clicking on individual points that connect to create a selection line.
Magic Wand
The magic wand tool is used to select pixels that are the same color or similar color in an adjacent area. You can adjust the tolerance level of the magic wand tool to determine how similar the colors have to be. A low tolerance means the pixels have to be nearly the same color, while a higher tolerance allows for more variation. The magic wand tool is good for selecting objects from against a solid color background.
The Quick Selection Tool
The Quick Selection Tool is a tiny little tool that allows you to paint selected areas with a brush or the paint bucket tool. It's not necessary in most things but comes in very handy at times. I rarely use this tool, but recommend to those who look forward to improving their photos.