The "red highlight" you're seeing in Photoshop is most likely the Quick Mask overlay. This mode helps you visualize and refine selections using painting tools, where the red area represents the masked, or unprotected, area of your image (the area not currently selected).
To turn off this red highlight and exit Quick Mask mode, you can use one of the following methods:
Simple Ways to Exit Quick Mask Mode
- Press the Q Key: This is the most common and quickest way to toggle Quick Mask mode on and off. If you accidentally pressed 'Q' to enter Quick Mask, pressing 'Q' again will exit it.
- Use the Menu Command: Go to the menu bar at the top of Photoshop. Choose Select > Edit in Quick Mask Mode. If the command has a checkmark next to it (indicating you are in Quick Mask mode), clicking it will deselect the command and return you to standard editing mode.
These actions effectively turn off the red overlay, allowing you to continue working on your image with your active selection visible as marching ants (a blinking outline) instead of a red mask.
Understanding Quick Mask
Quick Mask mode is a powerful tool for creating complex selections. Instead of relying solely on selection tools, you can "paint" your selection area using the brush tool.
- Red Overlay: By default, the red color indicates the masked area. The opacity of this red can be adjusted in the Quick Mask Options (double-click the Quick Mask icon in the Tools panel).
- Exiting Quick Mask: When you exit Quick Mask mode using the methods above, the red overlay disappears, and the masked area is converted into an active selection indicated by the familiar "marching ants" boundary.
Knowing how to quickly enter and exit Quick Mask (especially by pressing 'Q') is fundamental for efficient workflow in Photoshop.
