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In this tutorial I will show you what options you have if you want to select an object from a picture. This can be done in various ways, I will show you almost every method. I designed this tutorial to be doable to non-experienced Photoshop users too. Anyway if you are a pro try to look into it. Maybe you’ll find something new in this tutorial :) This tutorial is doable with all versions of Photoshop.
step 1
Content:
-Selecting using Color Range——–step1-step5
-Selecting using (Normal)Lasso tool——–step6-step8
-Selecting using Pen tool——–step9-step15
-Selecting using Magnetic Lasso tool——–step16-step18
-Selecting using Polygonal Lasso tool——–step19-step21
-Selecting using Quick Mask——–step22-step26
Let’s start with an easy one.Selecting using Color range.
-Pro: Really handy tool, anyone can use it easily.
-Fast.
-Con: Only works well when the background of the object is one-colored.
-Unreliable.
step 2
Open your image.In the upper menu:
Select>Color range.A little window appears.Click with the mouse where you think white part of the picture is.(I marked with a red circle where I clicked.)
step 3
Now you should see this.The white in the little picture will be the selected and the black will be the non-selected part of the picture.
step 4
Now as you see there are some white parts in the wrench too.This is when we will use the fuzziness bar.Pull to the left the little bar until you see that the whole wrench is black.Just like I did on the picture.
step 5
Click OK.Now as you seem our only problem is that the white part of the picture is selected and not our actual object.So we need to invert the selection.To do this press (Pc)Ctrl+Shift+i (Mac)Command+Shift+I.
And here we are.You selected your object.Lets move on.
step 6
Our next tool.The (simple) lasso tool.This tool is used basically when you want to select something fast.
Pros: The fastest method.
Cons: Imprecise.
Here is the image I used, anyway you can use your own too.
step 7
Lets start with selecting the lasso tool.To select it pres the L button on the keyboard until you see this little icon.Then click-and-hold on the picture where you want to start the selection and make a circle then release the mouse button.Just watch the picture.Don’t worry if it’s not imprecise we will fix that.
step 8
Now comes a tricky part.If you want to correct your mistakes you have to learn to subtract and to add to the selection.When you hold down Alt with the lasso tool selected you subtract.When holding Shift you add to the selection.This way you can make fairly precise selections with the lasso tool too.I made the selection in step 7 to this in 15 secs.(Yes I measured the time:) )Thats all for the lasso tool.Lets see the next one.
step 9
The Pen tool.(Shortcut:P)For this method I will use a stock custom shape in phostoshop.Anyway I will put out a link with the picture for those whom don’t know how to make this.So here it is.
Pros: -The best for selecting and reconstructing logos from scanned files etc.
-Easy to use if you know it well.
Cons: -Its a bit complicated tool for beginners.
-Not easy to explain in a tutorial(don’t worry I will try to remain clear)
step 10
Let’s begin.The first step is to put out a starting point.Select Pen tool (P) and click on the picture where you want to begin your selection.
step 11
Now I want to set up three rules.With these rules using the Pen tool will be a piece of cake.So here is the first one:
-With Pen tool you can’t make a bigger selection part (a selection part is a New Anchor Point) then 90 degrees at a time.I know.Now you raise your eyebrows and don’t understand what am I saying.
Just look at the image.This is what happens when you try to make a selection part wider then 90 degrees.
As you can see I could not follow the symbol.
step 12
This is how you should make your selection parts.As you see I could follow the outline of our little icon.
step 13
Our second rule.This is the most important rule since this one will make the Pen tool usable:Always use “Alt” On new anchor points.(Left click on a new anchor point when holding down Alt key)This will make the point one-handed.Just watch the step-image.
step 14
And the last but really not the least the third rule:
You can’t select simultaneously a Clockwise and a Counter-Clockwise part of object in one selection part(from anchor point to anchor point).You have to put a new anchor point where you finished your counter-clockwise part and a clockwise part comes, or inverse.Just watch the image I hope it helps to understand this one.
step 15
So when you are ready with making the path just right clck on picture with pen tool still selected and click “make selection”.
And here you go.There is your fully selected shape.
step 16
Our next victim is the magnetic lasso tool.
Pros:-Fast
-Easy to use.
Cons:-Sometimes unprecise and unreliable
-Only usable with good quality, sharp picture.
Here is the image what I use.Anyway feel free to use your own, only make sure that its sharp enough.
step 17
Lets begin.Select the Magnetic Lasso tool by pressing the L key until you see that icon.Then click anywhere on the flowers edge and start moving your mouse on the edges.If you get to a sharp corner left click with your mouse.
step 18
When you finished selecting click where you started the selection or simply double-click.
And here you go you selected the flower.
Lets move on to another tool.
step 19
The polygonal lasso tool.My favorite.
Pros:-Most precise.
-It can be used on all kind of images
Cons:-Its the most time consuming of all the methods.
-It requires a lot of patience.
Here is the image what I used.
step 20
Lets say we need to select the right part of the glass without the rim to make an effect.Press the L key on keyboard until you see that little icon.Zoom your image at least to 200%.Then click where you want to start your selection.Move your mouse in the inner edge of the rim and click when you feel that you cant make the curve elsehow.
step 21
Now zoom out your image and watch.I know you will say:”Oh my god!Did I made this or a pro made it for me when I blinked??”No no no you made this.The key to the perfect selecting with polygonal lasso tool is the zooming.200% is good but if you zoom to 300%-400% the result will be even better.(It will consume much more time too.)
Lets move on to our last “suspect”.
step 22
The quick mask tool.
Pros:-Great precision.
-Any mistake can be easily redone.
Cons:-Your skill with quick mask tool depends on your brush-using skills.
-Requires a lot of patience.
Here is the last image what I will use in this tutorial: d(*_*)b
step 23
So.Open your image.Simply press Q on your keyboard and select the brush tool(B).Select a fairly big brush(I used here a soft brush with 80 pixels.) and start to paint the teddy in red.Red will be the selected territory.
[REMEMBER that the opacity and fill sector of the brush must be 100%]
step 24
Now zoom in the picture (200%), pick a smaller brush(I used a soft brush with 30 pixels)and paint the teddy’s outlines.
step 25
When you finished painting you should have something like my picture.
[NOTICE: If you made some mistakes select the earser tool by pressing E and simply earse the red parts where you moved out from the teddy.]
step 26
When you are ready with earsing and brushing Press Q again, press (Win)Ctrl+Shift+I (Mac)Command+Shift+I for inverting and here you are.You selected the teddy.
Well this was my tutorial.
I hope you enjoyed doing it as much as I enjoyed making it.
May the PS be with you!
