Reuse saved selection

[rw2]

I there a way to use a saved selection in PS elements in another open copy of the same picture? I would like to process the same picture a couple of different ways. There is a very detailed object that I have selected and saved that selection in that picture. With out having to got thru the whole process again can it some how be brought into the new open copy of the same picture?

[PixelMagic]

The short answer is yes; there are several ways to do what you want but I'll give you what is probably the easiest method.

I don't have Elements on this computer so my instructions are specific to Photoshop CS3 but should work just fine with Photoshop Elements.

1. Load photo with selection into Photoshop. Make sure the selection has been saved as an alpha channel by clicking Select > Save Selection > New and assigning a name to the selection. If you then look in your Channel palette you should see an additional channel with the name of the saved selection; that's your alpha channel.

2. Now open the copy of the photo where you want to reuse the selection. Arrange them side-by-side by clicking Window > Arrange > Tile Vertically.

3. Select the copy of the photo where you want the selection transferred )the bar at the top of the photo will be blue) and simply press Select > Load Selection. You will see the "marching ants" indicating a selection; then name this selection by clicking Select > Save Selection and assigning a name.

Alternatively, you can open the Channels palettes for both images; then drag the alpha channel from the first photo on to the second photo. You will then have to select the RGB composite channel to view the image instead of the mask (alpha channel). To load the selection in the second photo either Selection > Load Selection or CTRL + click on the alpha channel thumbnail.

Of course, while going through the Select > Load selection dialog box with both photos open you will probably notice that by specifying the Document Name and Channel from the respective drop-down boxes, you can transfer a selection from one image to another. Whatever method you choose, make sure to save the selection in the second photo.


I there a way to use a saved selection in PS elements in another open copy of the same picture? I would like to process the same picture a couple of different ways. There is a very detailed object that I have selected and saved that selection in that picture. With out having to got thru the whole process again can it some how be brought into the new open copy of the same picture?

[PhotosGuy]

Guessing here:
Make a new layer & fill it with white.
Recall the saved selection.
Edit > Fill w/black. Deselect.
Drag that layer into the 2nd pic.
Use the Magic Want to select it.
Turn the B&W layer off.

[Radtech1]

Guessing here:
Make a new layer & fill it with white.
Recall the saved selection.
Edit > Fill w/black. Deselect.
Drag that layer into the 2nd pic.
Use the Magic Want to select it.
Turn the B&W layer off.

Thanks for typing that out for me. Exactly the way I do it. As to Fedka's process, I doubt that that will work, as I understand that Elements does not use Channels. (Unless the newest version does._

Rad