Magic wand- one of the “smart” tools in Photoshop. The principle of operation is to automatically select pixels of a certain tone or color in the image.
Often, users, not understanding the capabilities and settings of the tool, are disappointed in its operation. This is due to the seeming impossibility of controlling the emphasis of a particular tone or color.
This lesson will focus on working with "Magic wand". We'll learn how to identify the images we'll apply the tool to and how to customize it.
If you are using Photoshop version CS2 or earlier, "Magic wand" you can select it by simply clicking on its icon in the right panel. CS3 introduces a new tool called "Quick Selection". This tool is placed in the same section and is displayed by default on the toolbar.
If you use a version of Photoshop higher than CS3, then you need to click on the icon "Quick Selection" and find in the drop-down list "Magic wand".
First, let's look at an example of work "Magic Wand".
Let's say we have this image with a gradient background and a transverse monochromatic line:
The tool loads into the selected area those pixels that, according to Photoshop, have the same tone (color).
The program determines the digital values of colors and selects the area corresponding to them. If the area is quite large and has a monochromatic fill, then in this case "Magic wand" simply irreplaceable.
For example, we need to select the blue area in our image. All you need to do is left-click anywhere on the strip of blue color. The program will automatically determine the hue value and load the pixels corresponding to this value into the selected area.
Tolerance
The previous step was quite simple, since the area had a single-color fill, that is, there were no other shades of blue on the strip. What happens if you apply the tool to a gradient on the background?
Click on the gray area on the gradient.
IN in this case the program highlighted a range of shades close in value to the gray color in the area on which we clicked. This range is determined by the instrument settings, in particular "Admission". The setting is located on the top toolbar.
This parameter determines how many levels the sample (the point on which we clicked) can differ from the shade that will be loaded (selected).
In our case, the value "Admission" is set to 20. This means that "Magic wand" will add 20 shades darker and lighter than the sample to the selection.
The gradient in our image includes 256 levels of brightness between absolute black and white. The tool selected, in accordance with the settings, 20 brightness levels in both directions.
Let's, for the sake of experiment, try to increase the tolerance to, say, 100, and apply again "Magic wand" to the gradient.
At "Admission", enlarged five times (compared to the previous one), the tool selected an area five times larger, since not 20 shades were added to the sample value, but 100 on each side of the brightness scale.
If it is necessary to select only the shade that corresponds to the sample, then the “Tolerance” value is set to 0, which will command the program not to add any other shade values to the selection.
With a Tolerance value of 0, we get only a thin selection line containing only one shade that matches the sample taken from the image.
Values "Admission" can be set in the range from 0 to 255. The higher this value, the larger plot will be highlighted. The number 255 in the field will cause the tool to select the entire image (tone).
Adjacent pixels
When considering the settings "Admission" one could notice a certain peculiarity. When you click on the gradient, the program selects pixels only within the area filled with the gradient.
The gradient in the area below the stripe was not included in the selection, although the shades in it are completely identical to the area above.
Another tool setting is responsible for this "Magic wand" and it's called "Adjacent Pixels". If there is a checkmark next to the parameter (by default), then the program will select only those pixels that are defined "Admission" as being suitable in terms of the range of brightness and hue, but within the allocated area.
Other similar pixels, even if identified as suitable, but outside the selected area, will not fall into the loaded area.
In our case, this is what happened. All matching pixels at the bottom of the image were ignored.
Let's do one more experiment and uncheck the box next to it. "Adjacent pixels".
Now click on the same (upper) section of the gradient "Magic wand".
As we see, if "Adjacent Pixels" are disabled, then all pixels in the image that meet the criteria "Admission", will be selected even if they are separated from the sample (located in another area of the image).
Extra options
The two previous settings are "Admission" And "Adjacent Pixels"- are the most important in the operation of the tool "Magic wand". However, there are other, albeit not so important, but also necessary settings.
When selecting pixels, the tool does this in steps, using small rectangles, which affects the quality of the selection. Jagged edges may appear, colloquially referred to as “ladder edges.”
If you select an area with a regular geometric shape (quadrangle), then such a problem may not arise, but when selecting areas of irregular shape, “ladders” are inevitable.
It will help to smooth out the jagged edges a little. "Smoothing". If the appropriate checkbox is checked, then Photoshop will apply a slight blur to the selection, which has almost no effect on the final quality of the edges.
The next setting is called "Sample from all layers".
By default, the Magic Wand takes a sample hue for selection only from the layer that is currently selected in the palette, that is, active.
If you check the box next to this setting, the program will automatically take a sample from all layers in the document and include it in the selection, guided by the “ Admission".
Practice
Let's look at the practical use of the tool "Magic wand".
We have the original image:
Now we will replace the sky with our own, containing clouds.
Let me explain why I took this particular photo. But because it is ideal for editing using "Magic Wand". The sky is an almost perfect gradient, and we, with the help "Admission", we can completely highlight it.
Over time (with experience) you will understand which images you can apply the tool to.
Let's continue the practice.
Create a copy of the layer with the source using a keyboard shortcut CTRL+J.
Then we take "Magic wand" and set it up like this: "Admission" — 32, "Smoothing" And "Adjacent Pixels" included, "Sample from all layers" disabled.
Then, being on the copy layer, click in the upper part of the sky. We get this selection:
As you can see, the sky is not completely highlighted. What to do?
"Magic wand", like any Selection tool, has one hidden function. It can be called as "add to selection". The function is activated when the key is held down SHIFT.
So, let's press SHIFT and click on the remaining unselected area of the sky.
Delete unnecessary things with the key DEL and deselect using the keyboard shortcut CTRL+D.
All that remains is to find an image of the new sky and place it between two layers in the palette.
That's it for learning the tool. "Magic wand" can be considered completed.
Analyze the image before using the tool, use the settings wisely, and you will not fall into the ranks of those users who say “Terrible stick”. They are amateurs and don't understand that all Photoshop tools are equally useful. You just need to know when to use them.
Good luck in your creativity with Photoshop!
Hello comrade! And you are all already in anticipation. Magic wand! The name is wonderful, it sounds tempting, doesn’t it? Indeed, in many cases it really simplifies the work, both for the designer and for the beginner in this field. Everyone will love this tool. Well, let's get acquainted with this tool.
Where is the magic wand in Photoshop?
This tool, like everything from the Tools section, is located on the panel, which is discussed in detail in this lesson. It looks like this: To activate this tool, simply click on it on the toolbar, as always. Why am I... Now let’s look at the principle of operation of the Magic Wand tool.
How does the Magic Wand work?
This tool works using an algorithm that makes selections by analyzing the color and tone of the pixels. To put it simply, then Magic wand highlights pixels of similar color, and tone is also an important parameter for it. Let's look at the theoretical calculation above in practice. Let's look at the settings and operating modes Magic wand .
- Most normal selection mode, click on the desired area and get a selection with the specified settings.
- Zoom mode or addition. A new selection will be added to the original selection.
- Magic wand will exclude the selection already made. This is subtraction mode.
- This mode, on the contrary, will leave only the area of intersection of two selections, and will delete the rest.
- (a-d) — Responsible for the analyzed area. If we choose 1 - then an area of 1 pixel will be analyzed and the color will be taken from there. If 51x51, then an area of 51x51 pixels will be analyzed
Smoothing, as has already been said 100,500 times, is responsible for the peach-smooth edges of the selection. The fact is that the pixel is square by standard, so anti-aliasing allows you to avoid the “ladder effect”. This is clearly visible in the illustration. The operation of all other modes is shown in the figure. And some are discussed in detail below.
Tolerance
Tolerance— this parameter is responsible for how many pixels of different tones will be highlighted Magic wand. In other words, admission 10 means that in addition to the color of the pixel you clicked on, several more colors will be added to the selection, namely, 10 shades lighter And 10 shades darker. And this is shown in the picture above.
Adjacent pixels
Adjacent pixels— if this checkbox is checked, then the pixels will be highlighted only around the original zone and if there is some kind of obstacle, like my pink stripe, then the pixels on the other side of the obstacle will not be highlighted. If you tick adjacent pixels remove, then all pixels of the specified color throughout the document will be highlighted. And this is clearly visible in the illustration above.
Sample from all layers- it means that Magic wand will take colors not only from the active layer, but also from all layers below the active one. Sometimes this can be useful. That's all for today! Thank you for your attention and create magic with with a magic wand =)
Prepared the article Amba especially for .
If you want to use our materials, please, we have everything for people, but we would be very grateful if you leave a small link to our website, or to this article on yours. Thank you in advance!
Many people dream of a magic wand, with a wave of which they could make all their wishes come true. The most amazing thing is that such a wand really exists. You just need to know how to use it correctly. To do this, it is enough to master 10 magic rules - and then your wishes will definitely begin to come true.
Rule 1. Think not about what you don't want, but about what you do want. Replace bad and negative thoughts with good and positive ones. For example, if you are afraid of being fired, start thinking about new career opportunities - look, soon you will be promoted and your salary will increase!
Rule 2. Visualize your desired outcome clearly and in detail. For example, imagine with what pleasure you go to work in a new office. Celebrate your success.
Rule 3. Sincerely believe that your wish will definitely come true. Then the Universe will create everything the necessary conditions to achieve what you want. After all, faith is one of the powerful factors shaping reality.
Rule 4. Express your wishes in the present tense. For example, instead of saying “I will be a successful businessman”, one must state: “I am a successful businessman.” Otherwise, your dream will remain a dream, stuck in the future.
Rule 5. After sending an energy message, relax and forget about the desire for a while. Because if you continue to impatiently think about him, you will keep the desire close to you. For your dream to come true, you need to let it go - only then the Universe can begin to realize it.
Rule 6. After making a wish, be sure to maintain a positive attitude and faith that it will certainly come true. Drive away doubts and negative thoughts. Negative emotions are the main obstacle to fulfillment of desires.
Rule 7. Gratitude is one of the most powerful “magnets” for the fulfillment of desires. Therefore, be sure to thank the Universe for what you already have and for what it will give you more. At the same time, thank sincerely - and the “magnet” will work.
Rule 8. Having made a wish, pay attention! The Universe will work it out on its own various options realization of your dreams, which you may not even know about. So she will start giving you hints. Your task is to listen to them and carry out necessary actions. The more actively you follow the prompts, the faster the Universe will help your dream come true. If you ignore them and expect everything to be brought to you on a silver platter, then you will miss all your chances of achieving success.
Rule 9. Be sure to share your joy, attention, and love with the world and people. Help those who need your support. By doing this, you trigger the mechanism of bestowal - and the Universe will generously give you joy and happiness, fulfilling your desire as quickly as possible.
Rule 10. Be patient because even a seed takes time to germinate. The main thing is to believe, open yourself to luck and luck, and the Universe will give you what you so passionately desire at the right time. And indeed it is!
Prepared by Maxim ALEXEEV
Tool Magic wand (Magic Wand) is one of the oldest instruments in Photoshop.
Unlike other tools that select pixels in an image based on shapes or the edges of an object, Magic wand(Magic Wand) selects pixels based on tone and color.
Many people are disappointed in Magic wand(Magic Wand) (giving it the unkind name " terrible wand") because sometimes it seems impossible to control which pixels this tool needs to select.
In this tutorial we will look at magical properties instrument, how the wand actually works, and learn to recognize the situations for which this ancient, but still incredibly sought-after instrument was created.
Selecting with the Magic Wand Tool
If you are using Photoshop CS2 or earlier versions, you can choose Magic wand(Magic Wand) by simply clicking on it in the toolbar. IN Photoshop CS3, Adobe represents adjacent to With a magic wand(Magic Wand) tool Quick selection(Quick Selection).
Therefore, if you are using the version CS3 and above (here I use Photoshop CS5), you need to click on the tool icon Quick selection(Quick Selection) in the toolbar by holding down the mouse button for a couple of seconds until the drop-down menu appears.
Select from menu Magic wand(Magic Wand):
Magic wand(MagicWand) is located in a group with the tool Quick selection(Quickselection) version Photoshop CS3 and higher. Magic in a wand
Before we look at the action Magic wand(Magic Wand) on real example, let's see how the tool works and that there is no magic involved.
Here is a simple image I created, it consists of a black and white gradient divided by a red cross line down the center:
As I already said, Magic wand(Magic Wand) in Photoshop Selects pixels based on tone and color. When we click on an area of the image with the tool, Photoshop determines the tone and color of the area we clicked on and selects pixels that have the same color and brightness values. It does Magic wand(Magic Wand) is indispensable for highlighting color in large areas.
For example, let's say I want to highlight horizontal stripe. All I have to do is click somewhere inside the red bar With a magic wand(Magic Wand). Photoshop will see that I clicked on an area of red and will immediately select every pixel in the image that has the same shade of red, thereby highlighting the red stripe immediately after clicking on it:
Single click With a magic wand(Magic Wand) is all you need to highlight the entire red stripe.
Magic Wand Tool Options
Tolerance
Selecting the solid-colored stripe was easy enough since there were no more pixels in the image that were the same shades of red, but let's see what happens if I click With a magic wand(Magic Wand) by gradient. I click on the gray area in the center of the gradient above the red stripe:
This time Photoshop highlighted a central range of brightness values limited to pixels that have exactly the same tone and color as the central gray area I clicked on. Why is that? To find the answer, we need to look at the tool settings panel at the top of the screen. In particular, we need to pay attention to the value of the parameter Tolerance(Tolerance):
Parameter Tolerance(Tolerance) says Photoshop, how different in tone and color the pixels that form the area we have chosen to include in the selection can be. Default value Tolerance(Tolerance) set to 32 , it means that Photoshop will select any pixels of the same color as the area we clicked on and add more pixels to them 32 various shades darker and 32 brighter shades. In the case of my gradient, which includes 256 brightness levels between pure white and pure black, Photoshop selected pixels located in the range between 32 shades darker and 32 shades brighter than the gray shade I clicked on.
Let's see what happens if I increase the value Tolerance(Tolerance) and try again. I'll increase the value to 64 :
Upon Admission(Tolerance), doubled compared to the previous example, if I click With a magic wand(Magic Wand) at the same center point of the gradient, Photoshop should select an area twice as large as the previous example because it includes pixels within 64 shades darker and 64 shades brighter than the main one grey colour, which I clicked on.
So here's what we have:
This time with an increased value Tolerance(Tolerance), the selected gradient area has become twice as large.
What if I want to select only the shade of the gradient that I click on?
In this case I should set Tolerance(Tolerance) on 0
, which will give the command Photoshop do not include any other pixels in the selection, only those that I designated by clicking:
When the parameter is set Tolerance(Tolerance) on 0 , I'll click again on the same point in the center of the gradient, and this time we'll get a very thin selection line. Every pixel that has a different tone from the gray I clicked on was ignored:
Increase or decrease a value Tolerance(Tolerance) has a big impact on which pixels in the image will be highlighted With a magic wand(Magic Wand).
You can install Tolerance(Tolerance) to any value between 0 and 255.
The higher the value, the wider the range of pixels that will be highlighted. Photoshop. Tolerance(Tolerance) set to 255
will select the entire image, so you should generally choose lower values.
Adjacent pixels (Contiguous)
When we looked at the parameter settings Tolerance(Tolerance) Magic wand(Magic Wand), you may have noticed one thing. Every time I clicked on the gradient above the red bar, Photoshop highlighted a certain range of pixels, but only within the gradient I clicked on. The gradient below the red bar, identical to the gradient I clicked on, was completely ignored, even though it contains exactly the same shades of gray that should have been included in the selection.
Why weren't the pixels from the bottom gradient included?
The reason for this is another important parameter in the settings panel - Adjacent pixels(Contiguous).
When the parameter is checked Adjacent pixels(Contiguous), as it is set by default, Photoshop will select only those pixels that are acceptable in color and color range defined by the parameter Tolerance(Tolerance). Any pixels located within the parameter values Tolerance(Tolerance), but those separated from the area you clicked on by pixels not included in the specified range will not be selected.
In the case of my gradient, the pixels at the bottom of the gradient that were supposed to be included in the selection were ignored because they were separated from the area I clicked by a red stripe whose pixel colors were not within the limits set by the parameter Tolerance(Tolerance).
Let's see what happens if I uncheck the option Adjacent pixels(Contiguous).
I'll click on the center of the top gradient again with Magic wand(Magic Wand), and this time, with the parameter unchecked Adjacent pixels(Contiguous), pixels of the lower gradient that are within the specified parameter value Tolerance(Tolerance) will also be highlighted, even though they are still separated from the area I clicked by a red stripe:
When disabled Adjacent pixels(Contiguous), any pixels throughout the image that are within the specified parameter limit Tolerance(Tolerance) will be highlighted.
Extra options
Tolerance(Tolerance) and Adjacent pixels(Contiguous) – two parameters that have the greatest influence on Magic wand(Magic Wand), but there are a couple of other parameters that are of minor importance.
Once the tool Magic wand(Magic Wand) selects pixels, it selects them in a quadrilateral shape, the selections can sometimes have jagged edges, often called the "effect" ladders».
Photoshop can smooth out the edges after applying a slight blur to them, this procedure is better known as Smoothing(Anti-aliasing). We can turn the tool's anti-aliasing on and off Magic wand(Magic Wand) by checking or unchecking the option Smoothing(Anti-alias) in the settings panel.
This option is enabled by default, and in most cases you can leave it enabled.
Leave Smoothing(Anti-alias) enabled in order to Magic wand(Magic Wand) smoothed the edges of the selection.Also by default when you click on an image With a magic wand(Magic Wand), it only searches for pixels within the layer you are currently working on. This is usually how we want to use this tool, but if your document has many layers and you want to include all the layers in your selection, select the option Sample from all layers(Sample all layers) in the settings panel.
By default it is not checked:
Leave Sample from all layers(Sample All Layers) unchecked to limit your selection to the active layer.
Case Study
Here is an image that I opened in Photoshop.
I like this photo overall, but the sky could have looked more interesting.
I'm thinking of replacing the sky with something else:
Moving the sky means that first I have to select it. As I noted earlier, Magic wand(Magic Wand) is characterized by highlighting large areas of the same color, and since the sky is pure blue, with only slight variations in tones, Magic wand(Magic Wand) will cope with this task with ease.
With the tool active and all its parameters set to default ( Tolerance(Tolerance) 32 , Adjacent pixels(Contiguous) marked), I click somewhere at the top of the image:
Since the sky is completely blue, Magic wand(Magic wand) there were no problems with its selection after a single click. Despite this, in reality the sky transitions from a light blue hue just above the buildings to a darker hue at the top of the photo, and the meaning Tolerance(Tolerance) 32 not high enough to cover the full range of tonal values, leaving a large area of light blue above the buildings out of selection:
Adding selections
My first attempt to create a sky selection was unsuccessful because the value Tolerance(Tolerance) was too low, I should have tried increasing the value Tolerance(Tolerance), but there is more easy way fix the problem. Like other tools Photoshop, Magic wand(Magic Wand) has the parameter " add to existing selection" (add to existing selections), which means I can keep the selection I made earlier and just add more sky to it.
To add a selection, hold down the key Shift and click on the area you want to add.
You will see a small plus sign ( + ) in the lower left corner of the cursor Magic wand(Magic Wand), allowing us to understand that the parameter “ add to selection" (add to selection).
In my case, holding down the key Shift, I'll click somewhere in the sky area that wasn't included in the original selection:
While holding down the key Shift, click on the area you want to add.
Thus, Photoshop will add to the existing selection new site sky.
All that was needed was two mouse clicks:
Selecting what is not needed in the first place
So, since the sky will change, I want the selection to include the image below the sky, since that's the part I want to keep. And drawing a selection using tools such as Polygonal/Polygonal Lasso(Polygonal Lasso) or Magnetic lasso (Magnetic Lasso) would take a lot of time and nerves, while Magic wand(Magic Wand) made it easy and simple.
Now this is the most popular and very accessible extraction technique using Magic wand(Magic Wand) - first we select the area that we do not want to include in the work, and then we simply invert the selection!
To invert the selection, which will select everything that was not included in the selection (in my case, everything below the sky) and deselect everything that was selected (the sky), go to the menu Selection(Select) at the top of the screen and select Inverse(Invert). Or use more quick way invert the selection - use a short command on the keyboard Shift+Ctrl+I (Win)/ Shift + Command + I (Mac):
Go to menu Selection – Invert(Select – Inverse).
With an inverted selection, the sky is no longer selected, just everything below it in the image is selected:
Next, I'll open the image that I want to replace the original sky with. I'll press Ctrl+A (Win) / Command+A (Mac) to quickly select the entire image, then Ctrl+C (Win) / Command+C (Mac) to copy it to the clipboard:
I'll switch back to my original image and click on the Background layer in the Layers panel so that when I paste the image, it will appear as a layer between the two existing layers:
Finally, I'll press the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+V (Win) / Command+V (Mac) to insert an image into the document.
Everyone loves blue skies, but sometimes a little cloud can make a bigger impact:
Like other Photoshop tools, success in using Magic wand(Magic Wand) depends on whether you know which ones are best to use this tool.
As we saw from the lesson, Magic wand(Magic Wand) best for highlighting large quantity pixels that have a similar tonality and color are ideal for highlighting and replacing a plain sky in a photo or for images where the subject is against a uniform background. Use the technique " highlight what you don't need in the first place» in cases where selecting an area around an object using Magic wand(Magic Wand) can be faster and easier than selecting the object itself using other tools.
That's all!
Translation: Antsyperovich Alexandra;
Creating selected areas manually, with all the rich choice of program tools, is not always justified due to the complexity of their use, especially if you are faced with an image like this.
As you can see in the photo there is a smooth background without sharp transitions and small parts. To select a ball against such a background, you can use a magnetic lasso (read in detail). However, it will be much easier to use for this purpose " Magic wand" It is represented by an icon on the Photoshop toolbar.
Hotkey (W), to select a “magic wand” combination (Shift+W) switches it to “ quick selection" and back.
How does the "magic wand" work?
Using a magic wand, you select a pixel in the image of a color characteristic of the object. Photoshop analyzes the color of all pixels for similarity to the original one. If the colors are similar, they will be added to the selected area; if not, they will be excluded from it. The parameter responsible for this comparison is “Tolerance”
The tolerance is set immediately before using the magic wand and varies in the range from zero to two hundred fifty and sets the brightness for all image channels. For example, set the value of this parameter to 50, then the color with values in R-150, G-150, B-150 will be similar to the color R-200, G-200, B-200. But it will not be similar to the color of R-140, G-150, B-140.
Also, to set the size of the area from which the initial values for pixel analysis are taken, specify the “Sample Size” parameter. There are several options available; depending on your choice, the program will take the average brightness value. If the point option is specified, the pixel located exactly under the cursor will be taken for analysis.
How to set the Magic Wand Tolerance parameter
Let's move on directly to practice; I showed a photo for this above. The task facing me is to isolate the balloon. I’ll use the opposite method since I’m too lazy to work with the Magnetic Lasso. I’ll select the sky and then invert the area. First, I'll set the Anti-aliasing option to get smooth edges of the selected area. The next step is to open the info palette to navigate the brightness values in the areas of the background that should be included in the selection (the RGB item is suitable for this)
I will measure the color value in the upper right corner of the image (as the darkest area of the background) by moving the “Magic Wand” to it.
Now the bottom right corner (lightest part)
The difference is approximately 40, I will indicate this value for the “Tolerance” parameter. Now I’ll click on the tools in the place where the first measurement was made. As a result, I will get a selection like this.
There are some minor inaccuracies in the selection, but they can be easily eliminated by changing the tolerance parameter based on the measurements taken of the brightness values in the areas included in the selection.
I’ll switch the tool to subtraction mode using the buttons on the parameters panel or using the (Alt) key, which is not very convenient since you have to keep it pressed while working, and delete unnecessary areas of the ball’s shell from the selection
The work is almost finished, however, due to the “Adjacent” parameter set. Pix" areas of the sky inside the shell of the ball and next to the basket remained unselected. To eliminate this annoying misunderstanding, I’ll use the button on the options bar to switch the “Magic Wand” to Add to Selection mode, using the technique shown above, I’ll add these areas.
Now the work with the sky is finished, I will invert the selection (Ctrl+Shift+I) and move the balloon to another photo.
This is how you can use Photoshop's Magic Wand tool in your work.
