Graphics Programs Reference
In-Depth Information
tion, since you don't have to keep hopping down to the Tool Options area to change modes,
and you can keep the view (either your selection or the mask) the same. For example, if
you're in Selection mode and you've selected too large an area, Alt-drag/Option-drag over
the excess to remove it. If you're masking out an area, Alt-drag/Option-drag to
add
to the se-
lection. This may sound confusing, but it'll make sense once you try it. Some things are easi-
er to learn by doing.
TIP
The Selection Brush is useful for fine-tuning selections you've made with the other Selec-
tion tools. Quickly switching to the Selection Brush in Mask mode is a great way to check
for spots you've missed—the overlay makes them really easy to spot.
The Magic Wand
The Magic Wand is a slightly temperamental—and occasionally highly effective—tool for
selecting irregularly shaped but uniformly colored (or nearly so) regions. If there's a big area
of a particular color, the Magic Wand can find its edges with one click.
This tool isn't actually all that magical: All it does is search for pixels with similar color val-
ues. But if it works for you, you may decide Adobe should keep “magic” in this tool's name
because, when it cooperates, it's a great timesaver, as
Figure 5-11
shows.
