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How Do I Cut a Selection in Photoshop?

Published in Photoshop Editing 3 mins read

To cut a selection in Photoshop, first select the area you want to cut using a selection tool like the Marquee, Lasso, or Quick Selection tool. Once your selection is made, you have several options:

Cutting and Pasting onto a New Layer

This is a common method for preserving the original image.

  1. Make a Selection: Use any selection tool to highlight the desired area.
  2. Cut the Selection: Press Ctrl+X (Windows) or Cmd+X (macOS). This cuts the selection and places it in the clipboard.
  3. Create a New Layer: Go to Layer > New > Layer to create an empty layer.
  4. Paste the Selection: Press Ctrl+V (Windows) or Cmd+V (macOS) to paste the cut selection onto the new layer. This leaves the original layer intact. Alternatively, you can use Layer via Copy or Layer via Cut from the right-click menu on your selection to achieve this in one step. The method stated in the reference, “Select the part of the photo cutout you want, and then go to Layer New Layer Layer via Cut/Copy”, outlines this process efficiently.

Cutting and Deleting

This method removes the selection from the image entirely.

  1. Make a Selection: Choose your selection tool and make your selection.
  2. Cut and Delete: Press Ctrl+X (Windows) or Cmd+X (macOS). This directly cuts and deletes the selected area from the current layer.

Refining Selections

For precise cuts, use the following techniques mentioned in the references:

  • Refine Edge: After making an initial selection, use the Refine Edge tool to adjust the selection's boundaries, ensuring a clean cut. The Lasso Tool and Quick Selection Tool allow for detailed adjustments, enhancing precision. (Source: Envato Elements)
  • Polygonal Lasso Tool: This tool is ideal for selecting objects with sharp edges and straight lines. (Source: Domestika)
  • Object Selection Tool: This tool automatically detects and selects objects, making it a quick and convenient method for cutting. (Source: Trusted Reviews)

Troubleshooting:

If the Cut command is grayed out, ensure you have an active selection. If you are using the move tool to drag a selection, ensure you have a selection made prior to doing this (Source: Adobe Community)

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