Graphics Programs Reference
In-Depth Information
It doesn't have to be great. Even just drawing roughly around the object you want to
select with the Lasso tool may be good enough.
2.
Activate the Refine Selection Brush and choose an editing mode for it
.
It shares a Tools panel slot with the Quick Selection tool, the Selection Brush, and the
Magic Wand, so click whichever of those is currently visible, or tap the A key till you
see the Refine Selection Brush. Its icon is a down-pointing brush pushing a dotted line
ahead of it. (Don't confuse this with the Selection Brush, whose icon includes a dotted
line arcing up from the brush.)
Next, in the Tool Options area, choose an editing mode by clicking one of the four
icons to the right of the various tool icons. Each mode is explained after this list.
3.
Use the brush to push your selection's edges to where they should be
.
The Refine Selection Brush has a unique cursor, shown in
Figure 5-20
,
and it's im-
portant to choose an appropriate brush size for the area you're working in. So use the
Tool Options area's Size slider to get the size you need.
You want a brush size that's large enough for the cursor's dark center to cover a good
part of what you want to change, while keeping the lighter gray part of the cursor over
an edge that Elements can use for reference. In situations like the area between the
spokes of the wagon wheel in
Figure 5-20
, you may need to adjust the brush size as
you go.
Once you've got the right brush size, just drag over the part of your selection that you
want to change. The Refine Selection Brush has a few settings (described after this
list) that you can adjust to the tool do a good job.
4.
When you're happy with your new selection outline, you're done
.
You don't need to do anything more except use your improved selection.
