Using Selection Techniques in Photo shop CS4

When you use selection techniques, essentially you are setting apart a portion of an image so that you can make changes to it.  Or you may want to include that portion with other images.  That portion is considered a selection.

With the selection, you can still utilize the tools used to edit images and other commands.  The selection portion is protected and is considered a “mask”.  This part of the image is protected in Photoshop CS4.  You will see an outline of the selection on the screen.

Using a selection tool icon, you can make a selection.  Whatever tool you will be using will be in the Options bar.  Use Windows and Options if you don’t see t hem.  You will not see all of the tools right away.  You may have to click on some tools in order to see the ones that are hidden.

Use the Ctrl-H function to show and hide the selection outline.  Using Select, then Inverse will make the selection inverted.  If you wish to reverse the selection, choose Select>None.  To save a selection, choose Select, then Save Selection.

If you need to include more on a current selection, use the Shift key.  To remove from a current selection, use the Alt key.  If you need to add more to a current selection because of color, choose Select, then Similar.

If you need to move a selection or part of it, use the move tool and drag it to where you want it.

If you want to feather a selection, use the Feather checkbox.  Using this will allow your selection to look softer.