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This tutorial demonstrates how to utilise Photoshop CS3’s new Quick Selection Tool. To work along exactly, you can download the images I am working with Here. Unzip the file and open it onto Photoshop’s workspace.
Note
The Quick Selection Tool works best with objects that have high contrast with their backgrounds; for images with less contrast, choose a tool from my Extracting Backgrounds (PDF) lessons.
Undo and Navigation Steps
Two ways of undoing steps are from the top menu, Edit then Step Backwards. Alternatively, click a previous snapshot in the History Palette.
Navigate (zoom in and pan) your image using the Navigator Palette,
or the Zoom Tool. 
Activate The Hand Tool by tapping the Spacebar, keeping the Spacebar pressed, pan your image in the usual way. 
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Open your image onto Photoshop’s workspace; put the background image to one side, and enlarge the flower image with the Zoom Tool.
 
CS3 Toolbar
CS3’s toolbar is by default a single column; clicking the double chevron arrows at the top of the toolbar returns the double column.
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Unlock the Background layer by double-clicking it.
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Then from the toolbar, activate the Quick Selection Tool.
And set the following attributes into its Options bar.
Note
The Quick Selection Tool application is similar to the Paint Brush Tool, however, instead of painting colour, you are painting a selection marquee.
Now, beginning where I have indicated below left, left-click, and hold; then slowly paint a selection marquee over the flower - as shown below-right.
 
With your mouse button pressed, sweep your brush towards the edge of the yellow flower; this expands the selection marquee, and it should stop when it reaches the contrast line between the flower and its blue background.
Now, move the brush towards the edge of the flower; alternatively, apply the marquee, one click at a time.
If the marquee transcends the blue sky, as demonstrated below.
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Click a previous snapshot in the History Palette, or Step Backwards.
Note
By default, CS3’s History Palette is docked to the top right Palette Well; however, it can be expanded (or docked) by clicking it’s icon - highlighted below-left. It can also be dragged onto another palette, perhaps next to the Layers tab, if you prefer.
 
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Continue expanding the marquee, reducing and enlarging the brush size as necessary. To quickly change the brush size, ensure Capitals are Off, then tap either the right, or left (keyboard) bracket key. To expand the selection around the petal’s tip; reduce the brush size so it is no bigger than the tip, then left-click and slowly expand the marquee. Although this is not a difficult tool to master, it has a slight learning curve.
 
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Now, altering the brush size as necessary, left-click, or apply your brush in a sweeping motion, to expand the marquee so it isolates the yellow petals; stepping backwards if you need to.
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Then reduce the brush size, and paint a marquee around the green stem.
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From the Options bar, click the following Refine Edge button.
And in the subsequent Refine Edge dialogue box, accept the default settings, as I have - shown below, or experiment. When you are happy with the feathering and blending, click OK.
Note
The Refine Edge command alters the selection marquee, helping your image (when it is cut out), to blend with a new background. Your choice of background, and the look you are seeking, dictates your choice of settings, therefore, familiarise yourself with this command, and find a setting that suits your photograph’s needs. As you change the sliders and settings, the flower image will change accordingly, therefore, keep an eye on your image. Additionally, hover your cursor over the thumbnails at the bottom of the dialogue box, and the Description will change accordingly.
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From the top menu, choose Select then choose Inverse.
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Then press your keyboard’s Delete key. The flower’s background will be deleted, leaving a transparent chessboard effect. Press Ctrl then D to remove the marquee, and drag your newly extracted flower onto a second image using the Move Tool, and reposition the flower with the Free Transform command .
 
Apply a sharpen filter to your flower, then from the top menu, choose Layer then choose Flatten Image, then save your work.
Wendi E M Scarth. Top of Page - Home.
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