Photoshop Elements 12 All-in-One For Dummies

Chapter 4: Cutting, Erasing, and Masking

In This Chapter

Using the Cookie Cutter tool

Getting rid of items with the eraser tools

Using layer masks

Adding clipping masks

In Book IV, we present you with lots of information about making selections with the many tools that Elements provides for that very purpose, such as the Marquee and Lasso tools, the Magic Wand, the Quick Selection tool, and the Selection Brush. But we left the discussion of a few tools until this chapter. The tools in Book IV involve making selections by dragging around, clicking, or painting over. And, though the result is similar — selecting what you want or don’t want in an image — the tools in this chapter are a little different in their methodology. They involve cutting out, masking from, and erasing around.

To add to your selection repertoire, we give you details on layer masking, a feature that is the most versatile way to get what you want out of an image. Layer masking is essentially just another way of making a selection. Rather than define your selection with a selection outline or by erasing away what ...