To expand a subject selection in Photoshop, you will use the Modify options within the Select menu. This functionality allows you to adjust the size of your existing selection, either making it larger or smaller.
Steps to Expand a Selection
Here are the exact steps to expand a selection after you have made it:
- Make a Selection: First, use any of Photoshop's selection tools (like the Lasso, Marquee, or Magic Wand tools) to select the subject you are working with.
- Access the Select Menu: Go to the main menu at the top of the screen and click on Select.
- Find Modify: In the dropdown menu, hover over Modify. This will open another submenu.
- Choose Expand: From the Modify submenu, click on Expand.
- Set Expansion Value: A dialog box will appear where you can specify the number of pixels by which you want to expand your selection. Enter the desired value and click OK. This is a numerical input and higher values correspond to a greater selection expansion.
Practical Insights and Examples
- Fine-Tuning: Expanding a selection is useful when you need to slightly include more of the subject's surrounding area. For example, if you’re selecting an object with soft edges, expanding will help you grab those fringes.
- Creating a Border: By expanding and then contracting you can leave a consistent space around a selected object as if it were a border.
- Experimentation: Always experiment with different pixel values. It may take a few attempts to get the perfect expansion for your needs.
- Shortcut: There is not a direct keyboard shortcut to expand selections but selecting "Select" and using the down arrow will land the user on the "Modify" option quicker than using a mouse, so arrow keys are useful for the operation.
Other Selection Modification Options
| Option | Functionality |
|---|---|
| Expand | Makes the selection larger by the specified pixel amount. |
| Contract | Makes the selection smaller by the specified pixel amount. |
By understanding and using the Modify options in the Select menu, including the Expand function, you can greatly improve the accuracy and versatility of your selections in Photoshop. This is vital for professional-quality image editing and compositing.
