Magnetic Lasso Tool

Y ou can quickly and easily select elements of your image that have well-defined edges by using the
Magnetic Lasso tool. The Magnetic Lasso works best when the element you are trying to select
contrasts sharply with its background. Some examples of good candidates for the tool include a bird
in flight against a clear blue sky or a dark object against a light-colored wall.
As you drag the Magnetic Lasso along an edge, Photoshop places anchor points along the edge that
fix the selection outline. You can press the Delete key to remove the anchor points as you draw to
redraw the selection.
Select with the Magnetic Lasso Tool

1 Click and hold the Lasso

tool .
2 Click the Magnetic Lasso tool
( ) in the list that appears.
changes to .

3 Click the edge of the object
you want to select.
This creates a beginning
anchor point, which is a fixed
point on the lasso path.

4 Drag your cursor ( ) along

the edge of the object.
The Magnetic Lasso’s path
snaps to the edge of the
element as you drag.
A To help guide the lasso, you
can click to add anchor points
as you go along the path. 4
You can press Del to remove
the most recently added
anchor point. This allows you A A
to restructure an incorrect
lasso path.