Copying and pasting in Photoshop is a fundamental part of image editing, although the term "copy edit" may refer to something different in writing, in Photoshop this is typically related to transferring image information. Here's how you can copy parts of an image in Photoshop:
Copying Selections in Photoshop
You can copy selected portions of an image to the clipboard using the following steps:
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Selection: First, you need to select the area you want to copy. You can do this with various selection tools, such as the:
- Marquee Tools: For rectangular or elliptical selections.
- Lasso Tools: For freehand selections.
- Magic Wand Tool: To select areas of similar color.
- Quick Selection Tool: To quickly select parts of an image.
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Copy: Once you've made your selection, you can copy it by:
- Going to the Edit menu and selecting Copy (As referenced: 3 Choose Edit Copy to copy the selected image area.)
- Using the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+C (Windows) or Command+C (Mac).
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Pasting: The copied selection is now in your computer's clipboard. To paste it you can do the following:
- Go to the Edit menu and select Paste.
- Use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+V (Windows) or Command+V (Mac). The pasted element will appear on a new layer within the document.
Pasting Options
When pasting, you have a couple options:
- Paste: The pasted selection will be put into a new layer.
- Paste in Place: The pasted selection will be put in the same position as when you copied it, this is done using Ctrl+Shift+V (Windows) or Command+Shift+V (Mac).
- Paste Into: Allows pasting the copied element inside an area selection.
Table Summary:
| Action | Method | Keyboard Shortcut (Windows) | Keyboard Shortcut (Mac) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Copy | Edit > Copy | Ctrl + C | Command + C |
| Paste | Edit > Paste | Ctrl + V | Command + V |
| Paste in Place | Edit > Paste in Place | Ctrl + Shift + V | Command + Shift + V |
Practical Example:
Let's say you want to copy a flower from an image and paste it into a different background.
- Select the flower using the Quick Selection tool.
- Go to Edit > Copy (or press Ctrl/Cmd + C).
- Open the new background image where you want to place the flower.
- Go to Edit > Paste (or press Ctrl/Cmd + V). The flower will appear as a new layer that you can move, resize, and edit independently of the background.
By mastering these copy and paste techniques, you can significantly enhance your workflow and creative possibilities within Photoshop.
