Photoshop Elements /

Selection Tools /

Selection Tools Flow Chart /

Introduction

Menu

There's a menu for this section above.

A Selection Example

What is meant when we say, make a selection?

When you make a selection, a shape is drawn on your photograph.

Then, whatever you do next, happens only inside of the shape.

Let's say you want to cut out the YUMMY part of the sign above.

First, the YUMMY sign needs to be selected.

The Magic Wand tool was used to select the YUMMY sign.

The dashed border of the selection is called the marching ants.

If you were looking at the selection in Photoshop Elements, the ants, the dashes, would be marching along.

Next, we'll change the color inside the selection using the Paint Bucket tool.

Next, Ctrl + c is pressed to copy what's inside the selection.

Then, the selection is pasted on another photograph by pressing Ctrl + v.

Tips

Before starting the Selection Tools Flow Chart, here are a few tips.

Go to Tips.

Selection Tools Flow Chart

The Selection Tools Flow Chart will lead you to the best selection tool for the task on which you're working.

Beginners

Beginners should start at the beginning of the flow chart.

Intermediate users may prefer the below.

There are three uses for selection tools.

Selection Tools Flowchart

Three Uses Introduction
↓
Use #1 - Cookie Cutter	Use #2 - Stencil		Use #3 - Blue Masking Tape
↓
Magic Selection Tools		Mechanical Selection Tools
↓		↓
Magic Selection Brush Tool		Rectangular Marquee Tool
Magic Wand Tool		Elliptical Marquee Tool
		Lasso Tool
		Polygonal Lasso Tool
Magnetic Lasso Tool (Magic & Mechanical)
Selection Brush Mop (For Refining a Selection)

Intermediates

If you know something about selections tools, you can use the menu below to jump into the flow chart.

Type Needed Chart

Type of Selection Needed	Selection Tool
Rectangular Shape	Rectangular Marquee Tool
Square Shape	Rectangular Marquee Tool
Oval Shape	Elliptical Marquee Tool
Circular Shape	Elliptical Marquee Tool
Multiple Straight Edges	Polygonal Lasso Tool
Various Curves	Lasso Tool
Mixed: Edges & Curves	Above Two Together
Multi-purpose	Selection Brush Tool
Area Has Different Tone/Color	Magic Selection Brush Tool Magic Wand Tool
Area Has Different Tone/Color & Is Intricate	Magnetic Lasso Tool
Refining a Selection	Selection Brush Mop

Quick Reference

After learning about making selections with the Selection Tools Flow Chart, you may need a quick reference.

Which Selection Tool? is a summary of the selection tools.