How to Invert a Selection in Photoshop: A Step-by-Step Tutorial

(Last updated on August 30th, 2023)

Summary

• The article explains how to invert and undo selections in Photoshop, which are useful for editing images.
• The article covers three methods of how to invert a selection mask in Photoshop: using hotkeys, right-clicking, or using the menu bar.
• The article also shows how to undo the selection area in Photoshop using hotkeys.
• To invert a selection in Photoshop you can press Command + I (for Mac OS) or Control + I (for Windows) to invert the selection. Alternatively, you can use Image > Adjustments > Invert from the menu bar.
• The article provides some tips and tricks for making and undoing selections in Photoshop, such as adding or subtracting from a selection, refining a selection, reselecting a previous selection, saving a selection as an alpha channel, or using Quick Mask mode.
• The article gives some examples of how to use inverting selections for advanced editing in Photoshop, such as creating negative images, blending modes, or color adjustments.

Have you ever wanted to edit only a specific part of your image in Photoshop? Or maybe you made a mistake and wanted to undo your selection? If so, then this article is for you. In this article, you will learn how to invert and undo selections in Photoshop using three different methods: using hotkeys, right-clicking, or using the menu bar. You will also learn some useful tips and tricks for making and undoing selections in Photoshop. By the end of this article, you will be able to edit your images like a pro.

What is a Selection Mask in Photoshop?

A selection mask is a way of isolating a part of your image from the rest. It allows you to edit only the selected area, while leaving the rest of the image untouched. For example, you can use a selection mask to change the color of an object, apply a filter, or create a composite image.

To create a selection mask, you need to use any of the selection tools in Photoshop, such as the Marquee Tool, the Lasso Tool, or the Quick Selection Tool. These tools allow you to outline the desired object on your image.

Once you have made a selection, you can click on the layer mask icon at the bottom of the Layers panel to create a mask based on your selection. A layer mask is a white and black thumbnail that appears next to your layer. The white areas represent the selected area, while the black areas represent the non-selected area.

How to Invert a Selection Mask in Photoshop

Sometimes, you may want to invert your selection mask, meaning that you want to switch the selected and non-selected areas. This can be useful for changing the background of your image, applying filters to the opposite area, or creating masks with complex shapes.

There are three methods of how to invert a selection mask in Photoshop: using hotkeys, right-clicking, or using the menu bar. Let’s see how each method works.

Method 1: Invert a Selection Mask in Photoshop with Using Hotkeys

Using hotkeys is the fastest and easiest way of inverting a selection mask in Photoshop. Here are the steps:

• Import an image and create a new layer.
• Use any selection tool to outline the desired object.
• Click on the layer mask icon at the bottom of the Layers panel to create a mask based on your selection.
• Press Command + I (for Mac OS) or Control + I (for Windows) to invert the mask. Alternatively, you can use Image > Adjustments > Invert from the menu bar.
• Edit the masked area as you wish.

The advantages of using hotkeys are that they are quick, convenient, and accurate. You don’t have to navigate through menus or click on buttons. You just need to press a few keys and you’re done.

The disadvantages of using hotkeys are that they may not work on some keyboards or systems. You also need to memorize them or look them up if you forget them.

Method 2: Invert a Selection Mask in Photoshop with Tool Selection

Using tool selection is another way of inverting a selection mask in Photoshop. Here are the steps:

• Import an image and create a new layer.
• Use any selection tool to outline the desired object.
• Click on the layer mask icon at the bottom of the Layers panel to create a mask based on your selection.
• Right-click on the image and choose Invert from the menu that appears. Alternatively, you can use Image > Adjustments > Invert from the menu bar.
• Edit the masked area as you wish.

The advantages of using tool selection are that they are simple, compatible, and flexible. You don’t have to remember any hotkeys or use any menus. You just need to right-click on your image and choose an option.

The disadvantages of using tool selection are that they may not be available on some tools or modes. You also need to make sure that you right-click on the correct area or layer.

Method 3: Invert a Selection Mask in Photoshop Using Menu Bar

Using menu bar is another way of inverting a selection mask in Photoshop. Here are the steps:

• Import an image and create a new layer.
• Use any selection tool to outline the desired object.
• Click on the layer mask icon at the bottom of the Layers panel to create a mask based on your selection.
• Go to Image in the menu bar and choose Adjustments > Invert from the drop-down list.
• Edit the masked area as you wish.

The advantages of using menu bar are that they are reliable, accessible, and visible. You don’t have to worry about any compatibility or availability issues. You just need to follow the menu options and commands.

The disadvantages of using menu bar are that they are slow, tedious, and distracting. You have to move your cursor away from your image and click on several menus and buttons. You also have to look for the right option among many others.

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Inverting Selections for Advanced Editing

Inverting selections in Photoshop can also help you with some advanced editing techniques, such as creating negative images, blending modes, or color adjustments. Here are some examples of how you can use inverting selections for advanced editing:

• Creating negative images: A negative image is an image that has the opposite colors of the original image. To create a negative image, you can invert your selection and then use Image > Adjustments > Invert from the menu bar. This will invert the colors of the selected area, creating a contrast with the rest of the image.
• Blending modes: Blending modes are ways of combining two or more layers to create different effects. To use blending modes, you need to have at least two layers in your image. You can invert your selection and then change the blending mode of the top layer from the drop-down list in the Layers panel. This will change how the top layer interacts with the bottom layer, creating different effects such as darken, lighten, multiply, or screen.
• Color adjustments: Color adjustments are ways of changing the hue, saturation, brightness, or contrast of your image. To use color adjustments, you can invert your selection and then use Image > Adjustments and choose an option from the drop-down list. This will change the color properties of the selected area, creating different effects such as black and white, sepia, or color balance.

These are just some of the ways you can use inverting selections for advanced editing in Photoshop. You can experiment with different combinations and settings to create your own unique effects.

How to Undo the Selection Area in Photoshop

Sometimes, you may want to undo your selection area, meaning that you want to remove or deselect the selected area. This can be useful for correcting a mistake, making a new selection, or clearing the canvas.

There is one method of how to undo the selection area in Photoshop: using hotkeys. Here are the steps:

• Import an image and use any selection tool to outline the desired object.
• Press Command + Z (for Mac OS) or Control + Z (for Windows) to undo the last selection action.
• Press Command + D (for Mac OS) or Control + D (for Windows) to deselect the entire selection area.

The advantages of using hotkeys are that they are quick, convenient, and accurate. You don’t have to navigate through menus or click on buttons. You just need to press a few keys and you’re done.

The disadvantages of using hotkeys are that they may not work on some keyboards or systems. You also need to memorize them or look them up if you forget them.

Tips and Tricks

Here are some useful tips and tricks for making and undoing selections in Photoshop:

• How to add or subtract from a selection using Shift or Alt keys: If you want to add more areas to your selection, you can hold down the Shift key while using any selection tool. If you want to subtract some areas from your selection, you can hold down the Alt key while using any selection tool.
• How to refine a selection using Select > Modify or Select > Refine Edge: If you want to smooth, feather, expand, contract, or border your selection, you can go to Select > Modify and choose an option from the drop-down list. If you want to adjust the edge detection, smoothness, contrast, or output of your selection, you can go to Select > Refine Edge and use the sliders and checkboxes.
• How to reselect a previous selection using Select > Reselect: If you want to restore a previous selection that you have deselected, you can go to Select > Reselect and it will reappear on your image.
• How to save a selection as an alpha channel for future use: If you want to save a selection that you have made for later use, you can go to Select > Save Selection and give it a name. It will be stored as an alpha channel in the Channels panel. To load it again, you can go to Select > Load Selection and choose it from the drop-down list.
• How to use Quick Mask mode to edit a selection: If you want to edit a selection using painting tools, such as the Brush Tool or the Eraser Tool, you can use Quick Mask mode. To enter Quick Mask mode, you can press Q on your keyboard or click on the Quick Mask icon at the bottom of the Tools panel. Your image will turn into a red overlay, where the selected area is clear and the non-selected area is red. You can then use any painting tool to add or remove areas from your selection. To exit Quick Mask mode, you can press Q again or click on the Quick Mask icon again.

Conclusion

In this article, you learned how to invert and undo selections in Photoshop using three different methods: using hotkeys, right-clicking, or using the menu bar. You also learned some useful tips and tricks for making and undoing selections in Photoshop.

By mastering these skills, you will be able to edit your images like a pro. You will be able to change the background of your image, apply filters to the opposite area, or create masks with complex shapes.

Thank you for reading this article. I hope you found it helpful and informative. If you have any feedback or questions, please feel free to share them in the comments section below.

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