Remove Selected Area in Photoshop: Step-by-Step Guide

Estimated read time 7 min read

How to remove selected area in photoshop

In today’s digital world, Photoshop has become an indispensable tool for photographers, graphic designers, and digital artists. Whether you want to enhance your images, create stunning compositions, or remove unwanted elements, Photoshop offers a wide range of features and tools to help you achieve your desired results.

One of the most commonly used techniques in Photoshop is the ability to remove a selected area from an image. This can be particularly useful when you want to get rid of an unwanted object, change the background, or isolate a specific part of an image. While it may sound complicated, removing a selected area in Photoshop is actually quite simple, especially if you follow these easy steps.

Step 1: Opening the Image

To begin, open the image you want to work on in Photoshop. You can do this by going to File > Open and selecting the image file from your computer. Once the image is open, make sure it is selected in the Photoshop workspace.

Step 2: Selecting the Area

Next, select the area you want to remove from the image. There are several selection tools available in Photoshop, such as the Rectangular Marquee Tool, Lasso Tool, and Magic Wand Tool. Choose the tool that best suits your needs and carefully outline the area you want to remove.

Step 3: Removing the Selected Area

Once the area is selected, go to Edit > Cut or simply press the “Delete” key on your keyboard to remove the selected area. You will notice that the selected area is now transparent, revealing the background or underlying layers.

Step 4: Refining the Edges

If the edges of the removed area appear too harsh or unnatural, you can refine them to make the transition smoother. To do this, go to Select > Refine Edge. In the Refine Edge dialog box, you can adjust the settings such as Smooth, Feather, and Contrast to achieve the desired effect.

By following these easy steps, you can effectively remove a selected area in Photoshop and achieve professional-looking results. Experiment with different selection tools and refining techniques to master this essential skill and take your Photoshop skills to the next level.

Step 1: Select the Area to Remove

Step 1: Select the Area to Remove

Removing a selected area in Photoshop is a useful technique when you want to isolate and delete a specific part of an image. To start this process, you need to select the area you want to remove.

There are several tools in Photoshop that you can use to make a selection. One of the most commonly used tools is the Marquee tool, which allows you to create geometric selections such as rectangles and circles. To use the Marquee tool, simply click and drag over the area you want to remove.

If you want more precise control over your selection, you can use the Lasso tool or the Quick Selection tool. The Lasso tool allows you to draw a freehand selection around the area you want to remove. The Quick Selection tool, on the other hand, automatically detects and selects similar pixels based on your brush size and settings.

Once you have made your selection, you can refine it by using other tools such as the Magic Wand tool or the Polygonal Lasso tool. These tools allow you to add or subtract from your selection to ensure that you have the exact area you want to remove.

After you have finalized your selection, you can proceed to the next step, which involves actually removing the selected area from the image.

Step 2: Use the Content-Aware Fill Tool

Step 2: Use the Content-Aware Fill Tool

After selecting the area you want to remove in Photoshop, the next step is to use the Content-Aware Fill Tool. This tool allows you to replace the selected area with content from the surrounding areas, making it look seamless and natural.

1. Select the Content-Aware Fill Tool

1. Select the Content-Aware Fill Tool

To access the Content-Aware Fill Tool, go to the top menu and click on “Edit”. From the dropdown menu, choose “Fill”. In the Fill dialog box that appears, select “Content-Aware” from the dropdown menu under the “Use” section.

2. Adjust the Content-Aware Fill settings

2. Adjust the Content-Aware Fill settings

Once you have selected the Content-Aware option, you can adjust the settings to fine-tune the desired result. The options you can modify include:

  • Color Adaptation: Adjusts the color blending to match the surrounding areas.
  • Scale: Changes the size of the sampled area for the fill content.
  • Rotation: Rotates the sampled area to align with the selected area.
  • Mirror: Mirrors the sampled area to further blend with the surroundings.
  • Opacity: Sets the transparency level of the filled content.
  • Output to: Specifies the destination for the filled content, either a new layer or the current layer.

3. Preview and apply the Content-Aware Fill

3. Preview and apply the Content-Aware Fill

After adjusting the settings, click on the “OK” button to preview the result. Photoshop will start to fill the selected area based on the surrounding content. If you are satisfied with the preview, click “OK” again to apply the Content-Aware Fill.

By using the Content-Aware Fill Tool, you can easily remove unwanted elements from your photos and make them look seamless. Remember to experiment with the settings and make adjustments as needed to achieve the desired result.

Step 3: Refine the Selection

Step 3: Refine the Selection

Once you have made a rough selection of the area you want to remove, it’s time to refine the selection for a more precise deletion. This step is crucial to achieve a seamless and natural-looking result.

To refine the selection, you can use different tools and techniques in Photoshop:

1. Feather the edges:

1. Feather the edges:

Feathering the edges of the selection helps to soften the transition between the deleted area and the surrounding pixels. To feather the edges, go to the “Select” menu, choose “Modify,” and click on “Feather.” Adjust the feather radius according to your image’s resolution and the smoothness of the transition you desire.

2. Use the Refine Edge tool:

2. Use the Refine Edge tool:

The Refine Edge tool is a powerful feature in Photoshop that allows you to further enhance the selection by adding fine details and adjusting the edges. To access this tool, go to the “Select” menu, choose “Refine Edge.” In the Refine Edge dialog box, you can use options like “Radius,” “Smooth,” “Feather,” and “Output” to refine your selection until it looks perfect.

Pro tip: Use the zoom tool to get a closer view of the selection while refining it. This will help you identify any imperfections and make precise adjustments.

3. Make use of layer masks:

3. Make use of layer masks:

Layer masks are an essential part of non-destructive editing in Photoshop. After refining your selection using the above techniques, you can create a layer mask to hide the selected area without permanently deleting it. This allows you to make further adjustments or bring back any parts if needed. To create a layer mask, select the layer you want to apply the mask to and click on the “Add Layer Mask” button at the bottom of the Layers panel.

By following these steps and refining your selection, you can remove the selected area in Photoshop with precision and achieve professional-looking results.

Q&A:

Can you explain the process of removing a selected area in Photoshop?

Yes, to remove a selected area in Photoshop, you can use the selection tools to choose the area you want to remove. Then, you can either cut or delete the selection, depending on your preference. Finally, you can use the Clone Stamp tool or the Content-Aware Fill feature to fill in or replace the removed area.

What are the different selection tools in Photoshop that can be used to remove an area?

There are several selection tools in Photoshop that can be used to remove an area. Some of the commonly used selection tools include the Marquee tool, the Lasso tool, and the Magic Wand tool. These tools allow you to select specific areas based on different criteria, such as shape, color, or tone.

Is it possible to undo a removal of a selected area in Photoshop?

Yes, it is possible to undo a removal of a selected area in Photoshop. You can simply use the Edit menu and select the “Undo” option, or you can use the shortcut Ctrl+Z (Windows) or Command+Z (Mac) to undo your previous action. This will revert the image back to its state before you removed the selected area.

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