How Do I Fill an Image in Adobe?

In Adobe image editing software, like Photoshop, you can fill a layer or a selection within your image using a specific color, pattern, or content. This is typically done through the Fill command found in the Edit menu.

Steps to Fill a Layer or Selection

The most common way to fill an area in your image is by using the Fill dialog box. Based on whether you want to fill an entire layer or just a specific part you've selected, the initial step varies slightly.

Here are the steps:

1. In your Adobe software, navigate to the menu bar.
2. Choose Edit > Fill Layer if you want to fill the entire currently selected layer.
3. Alternatively, if you have an active selection (a specific area outlined with marching ants), choose Edit > Fill Selection to fill only that selected area.
4. Once the Fill dialog box appears, set your desired options.
5. Click OK to apply the fill.

These steps open a versatile dialog box where you define what content or color the fill will use.

Exploring the Fill Dialog Box

The Fill dialog box offers several options for determining the fill content. The reference specifically mentions choosing a color.

• Use Menu: Inside the dialog box, you'll find a Use menu. This menu provides various options for the fill content, such as Foreground Color, Background Color, Pattern, History, or Color.
• Choosing a Specific Color: To fill with a specific color of your choice that isn't the current foreground or background color, select Color from the Use menu. This action will open the Color Picker.
• Color Picker: Use the Color Picker to visually select the exact color you want to use for the fill. Once selected, click OK in the Color Picker, and then click OK in the main Fill dialog box to apply the fill.

Filling a Layer vs. a Selection

The Fill Layer and Fill Selection options offer distinct control:

• Fill Layer: This command replaces all the content on the currently active layer with the chosen fill content (color, pattern, etc.). If the layer has transparency, the fill will respect that transparency unless the layer is the background layer.
• Fill Selection: This command only affects the area within the active selection on the currently active layer. Any pixels outside the selection boundary on that layer remain untouched.

Understanding this difference allows you to precisely control where the fill is applied in your image.

Here's a quick summary of the main actions:

Action	Menu Command	Purpose
Initiate Fill (Whole Layer)	Edit > Fill Layer	Fill the entire current layer.
Initiate Fill (Selection)	Edit > Fill Selection	Fill only the selected area.
Choose Fill Content	Use menu in dialog	Select Foreground, Background, Color, etc.
Select Specific Color	Choose Color from Use	Opens Color Picker to select hue.
Apply Fill	Click OK in dialog	Execute the fill command.

By following these steps and utilizing the options within the Fill dialog box, you can effectively fill areas of your image in Adobe software.