About selections

A selected area is indicated by a dotted selection border, also called a selection marquee. The area outside the selection border is protected while you move, copy, paint, or apply special effects to the isolated area. Selections can only be made on the active layer.

Since there are two different types of image data--bitmap and vector--you need to use different tools to make selections of each type. Bitmap selection tools include the rectangle marquee tool (), elliptical marquee tool (), lasso tool (), polygonal lasso tool (), and magnetic lasso tool (). Vector selection tools include the shape selection tool () and the magic wand tool ().

For more information about bitmap images and vector graphics, see  About bitmap images and vector graphics.

Selecting > About selections