What this tool does
Selection Brush paints the selected area directly, making edge corrections intuitive.
Isolate objects, colors, and precise areas before editing only the pixels you need.
How to use it
- 01
Open an image and choose Selection Brush from the left toolbar.
- 02
Paint over areas to include them, switch to subtract mode for overspill, and adjust brush size near edges.
- 03
Review the result at 100% zoom. If the change is too strong, undo it and repeat with a lower intensity.
What you can make
- Refine hair, foliage, and irregular edges
- Repair an automatic object selection
- Paint a custom local adjustment area
When to use it
Use Selection Brush to paint a selection over irregular objects, correct the result of Object Selection, or reach narrow areas that geometric marquees cannot describe. It combines the direct feel of a brush with an editable selection boundary and works best when you alternate between broad coverage and careful edge passes.
Key controls
- Brush size
- Use a large brush inside the subject and reduce its size near fingers, leaves, product openings, and other narrow contours.
- Add or subtract
- Paint in Add mode to include missed pixels and switch to Subtract for background spills. Short strokes make corrections easier to undo.
- Edge softness
- Match the boundary to the photograph: crisp for hard products, slightly feathered for skin and fabric, and carefully varied around soft hair.
Worked example
Begin a portrait cutout with Object Selection, then zoom into the shoulders and hair. Use Selection Brush in Add mode to recover missing fabric and in Subtract mode to clear gaps between curls. Convert the corrected selection to a mask and review it over contrasting backgrounds.
Common mistakes
Painting the entire boundary with one oversized brush.
Using long strokes that make a small mistake expensive to undo.
Adding a global feather before checking which edges are actually soft.
Frequently asked questions
Is Selection Brush better than Object Selection?
They solve different parts of the workflow. Object Selection is faster for the first boundary, while Selection Brush gives direct control over missed and unwanted areas. Using them together is usually most efficient.
Can I use it for hair and fur?
Use it to establish the main silhouette and larger strands. Very fine semi-transparent hair still needs a careful mask review and may require several small add and subtract passes.