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The Magic Wand is such a simple tool that it does not even have a sub-menu.   The Magic Wand makes selections by color rather than shape or outline.  It is the selection tool of choice when selecting an irregularly shaped object of a fairly uniform color.

One classic application of the Magic Wand is selecting the sky in a photo;  usually with the intent of swapping a dull sky out for a brighter one.

To start, open your image, and click on the Magic Wand.

 

Click on the sky.

 

When you release the mouse button, notice how the Magic Wand has selected all areas in a close color range to the area on which you clicked.  But you want to increase the selection area to cover the entire sky.

 

To add to a selection, you can hold down the SHIFT key and click on the image again, or you can click the "Add to Selection" icon,  (the two tiny overlapping blue boxes) and click on the image again.  Click on the next area you want added to the selection.

 

When you release the mouse button, the selection will be enlarged.

 

SHIFT-click (or Add to Selection-click) in the next area to add.

 

There.  I selected almost all of the sky in just three clicks.  But the tiny areas of blue noticable between the tree leaves still need to be added. 

 

SHIFT-click (or Add to Selection-click) on each small area where the sky shows between the leaves or buildings.

 

If you accidentially select an area you do NOT want included, ALT-click will remove it.  Or click the Subtract from Selection icon, the tiny white box overlapping the blue box, then click on the color area to remove.

 

Here's the final selection.

 

If you are planning to swap out the sky, as described here, you will want to Inverse the selection.  That is, switch the selection around so that everything is slected except the sky.  Click Select -> Inverse.

 

Now notice how the selection outline of "marching ants " jumps to the house, and lower edge of the image.  Click Select -> Inverse again to reselect the sky.  Select -> Inverse again to jump back to the house and shubbery.  (To do the sky swap, you want the house and shubbery selected.)

 

More on Photoshop Elements Selection Tools:

Being Selective: Photoshop Elements Selection Tools

Photoshop Elements Selection Tools: The Marquee Can Do More Than You Think

Photoshop Elements Selection Tools: The Magic Wand

Photoshop Elements: Fast And Easy Blue Skies

 

CLIFF'S NOTES:

To add to a selection:  SHIFT-CLICK

To subtract from a selection:  ALT-CLICK

 

 

 

15 Comments on Photoshop Elements Selection Tools: The Magic Wand

NOV
29
2007
1,138,596 Points 139 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master
Cool! Does this work on all versions of photoshop? I have an older version 5.0.
6:45am • #1
447,089 Points 28 Featured Posts Outside Blog Hit Router Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

 Michael -- The Magic Wand has been around a long time.  Here it is in the toolbar for Photoshop Elements 2.0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7:02am • #2
512,992 Points 8 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Hit Router

Cheryl,

Thanks....I have learned something else on Active Rain......

7:37am • #3
5 Featured Posts
AHhhhh...the shift button.  I was playing with the tolerance settings.
7:47am • #4
I love photoshop.  What version do you have?  I think I need to buy another one since mine is old.
7:53am • #5
873,232 Points 35 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog
Goodness, Cheryl, I have a wand but I don't even know what software I have.  I can tell you when I get a new computer I am going to make sure I have photoshop and come back and reread every one of your posts (if I'm missing from the rain for a while, you'll know why :)
8:06am • #6
104,125 Points
OK Cheryl, you've taught me something alse... Alt-Click subtracts.  Thanks
8:18am • #7
447,089 Points 28 Featured Posts Outside Blog Hit Router Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Bob and Carole:  :-)

Kay:  I'm doing these demos in Photoshop Elements 5.  Ted Baker is doing some in Photoshop Elements 6.  For the most part the steps will be the same.

I also have full version Photoshop CS3 (and earlier full version 5.5 and 7) installed on this computer.  But I haven't used the full version much since I become obsessed with creating these demos in Elements.

8:20am • #8
112,047 Points 2 Featured Posts
Cheryl - Thank you for this. I didn't know the Shift key would do this with the wand. Like Bob, I was trying to tweak the tolerances too
11:37am • #9
257,872 Points 4 Featured Posts Outside Blog

I told you all that Cheryl was Hogwarts certified...magic wand and all.

 

3:18pm • #10
354,272 Points 137 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog
Hi Cheryl, Thanks for this post.  I was playing around with Photoshop yesterday and these tutorials have really helped.  It's still going to take quite a bit of time to become proficient, but it's a wonderful program and it's nice to have easy to follow instructions like you display on these posts.
6:11pm • #11
597,151 Points 45 Featured Posts Outside Blog
Cheryl - the Alt-Click trick is wonderful - I thought I had to go back and start all over when I included too much.
6:42pm • #12
NOV
30
2007
147,753 Points 13 Featured Posts Outside Blog
Cheryl - It's been a while since I stopped by. Your PS tutorials are invaluable. Thanks so much.
8:58am • #13
JUL
06
2009

Thanks for the post

Idaho Real Estate

9:53am • #14
FEB
18
2010

Thanks for your Photoshop element selection tutorial.....if you interest i will tell you another Photoshop magic tool you like.. Its the Photoshop pen tool....You can clip an image easily and quickly by this wonder tool i know... For more Information, you can check the following sites

http://imagemasking.wordpress.com/2009/09/01/clipping-path/

http://www.colorexpertsbd.com/

These sites they provide you  excellent clipping path and image masking service for all your photo.....

Thanks....

11:36pm • #15

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Cheryl Johnson

Highland Park, CA

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Cheryl Johnson, Bob Taylor Properties, Inc., Los Angeles, CA

Address: 5526 N. Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, CA, 90042

Office Phone: (323) 257-1080

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