It’s always worth reviewing popular tools from time to time. The Quick Mask tool is one of these. In addition we explore its full potential in our Adobe Photoshop training courses.
In the image shown here we want to select the cute kitten in order to paste him into another photo. We first need to use one of Photoshop’s several selection tools. In this example I’d use the Quick Selection tool, which is located behind the Magic Wand tool. Then, keeping the brush size small and the Hardness to 0%, select the kitten, keeping away from the edges of the body.
You can add to a selection by pressing down on Shift, or by selecting the Add to Selection icon at the top left of the Control panel. And you can subtract from a selection by pressing Alt (Mac: Option), or by clicking on the Subtract from Selection icon in the same location.
Once you have an initial selection you can then modify it by selecting the Quick Mask icon at the bottom of the toolbox, or by hitting the Q key on your keyboard. Note the red “rubylith” appearance. We now adjust our selection by using a black or white paint brush. Black adds to the selection; white subtracts from the selection. Every so often hit Q to toggle between the selection and Quick Mask modes.
Many Photoshop users find this an easier method of creating selections than switching between the actual selection tools. Further adjustments may be made by clicking the Refine Edge button on the top Control panel.
Many more tips and techniques can be found at the Adobe website. And see many examples of our clients’ work on our Facebook page.
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• Photoshop for fashion
• Photoshop deep etching
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• Photoshop actions