Photoshop® CS3 Bible

Chapter 8. Selections and Paths

IN THIS CHAPTER

Learning tricks that work only with the marquee tools

Using the Polygonal and Magnetic Lasso tools

Working with the Magic Wand

Getting to know the new Quick Selection tool

Editing selection outlines using manual and automatic methods

Using the new Refine Edge dialog box to fine-tune selections

Examining the Feather command in-depth

Moving and cloning selections and selection outlines

Using Photoshop's pen tools

Transforming selection outlines and paths independently of the image

Painting along an open path

Creating, saving, and exporting clipping paths

Selections, and your ability to make and edit them successfully, are key to your efficient and effective use of Photoshop. Why? Because a selection tells Photoshop what portion of your image or layer you want to address — that is, where it is you intend to make a deletion, change, or addition. It's like selecting text in a word processing document — dragging through some of the text tells that word processor which text you want bolded, indented, whatever. If you can't tell Photoshop which part of the image you're about to deal with, it assumes your next move should affect the entire active layer, and unless that's your goal, your ability to use all the tools that can be applied to a selection is compromised.

With that said, it also should be noted that no other program gives you as much control over the size and shape of selections as Photoshop. You can finesse selection outlines with unparalleled ...