Adjusting selections manually
You can use the selection tools to add to or subtract from existing pixel selections.
Before manually adding to or subtracting from a selection, set the feather and anti-aliased values in the options bar to the same settings used for the original selection. (See Softening the edges of a selection.)
To add to a selection or select an additional area:
- Make a selection.
- Using any selection tool, do one of the following
- Select the Add to Selection option
in the options bar, and drag. - Hold down Shift, and drag to add another selection.
A plus sign appears next to the pointer when you're adding to a selection.
To subtract from a selection:
- Make a selection.
- Using any selection tool, do one of the following:
- Select the Subtract from Selection option
in the options bar, and drag to intersect with other selections. - Hold down Alt (Windows) or Option (Mac OS), and drag to subtract another selection.
A minus sign appears next to the pointer when you're subtracting from a selection.
To select only an area intersected by other selections:
- Make a selection.
- Using any selection tool, do one of the following:
- Select the Intersect with Selection option
in the options bar, and drag. - Hold down Alt+Shift (Windows) or Option+Shift (Mac OS) and drag over the portion of the original selection that you want to select.
An "x" appears next to the pointer when you're selecting an intersected area.
Intersected selections