How To Invert Selection In Photoshop - Photo Retouching Services

Photo Retouching Services > Retouching Blog > Photo Editing Tips > How to Invert Selection in Photoshop How to Invert Selection in Photoshop By Tata Rossi, Tetiana Kostylieva 23 days ago, Photoshop Tips When you purchase through affiliate links on our site, we may earn a commission. Here’s how it works.

If you often enhance still-life photos or their specific areas (for example, sky replacement), then you probably wonder how to invert selection in Photoshop. Learn 3 effective methods to invert objects in one click.

METHOD 1. Invert Selection in Photoshop with Using Hotkeys

Rather than using additional layers with masks and selecting multiple areas in a photo, learn 3 quick methods of how to invert selection in Photoshop.

STEP 1. Import an image and create a new layer.

STEP 2. Use any selection tool and outline the desired object. Make sure the dotted line is closed. If you are working with a simple object like a cup or a backpack, you can use the "Marquee Tool" for automatic selection.

STEP 3. To invert selection in Photoshop, press “Shift + Command + I” (for Mac OS) or “Shift + Control + I” (for Windows).

STEP 4. Now the entire area is selected except for your main object. You can cut it out or lighten it (if you work with still-life photography).

Those who are only learning how to use Photoshop invert selection shortcut to enhance the backgrounds of the pictures should practice a lot.

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METHOD 2. Invert Selection in Photoshop with Tool Selection

If you use an old version of the software and the hotkeys don’t work for you, you can right-click the image and choose "Select Inversion". It is possible to click this button multiple times to switch between the selected areas.

METHOD 3. Invert Selection in Photoshop Using Menu Bar

If you experience Photoshop lagging, and the above-mentioned methods don't work, try a standard option. When you activate a selection, choose "Select" - "Inverse".

FAQ about How to Invert Selection in Photoshop

• • Why do I need to invert a selection in Photoshop?

Rather than wasting time on redoing or adjusting your selection, you can use the inverse selection option. It switches to the opposite selection area, which allows you to considerably save time. This feature especially comes in handy when you need to cut out objects in your image.

• • Which tool to use to select objects?

Currently, it is possible to select an object using a variety of tools. The choice depends on the complexity of an object you are working with. The most popular selection instruments are the Quick Selection Tool, Marquee Tool, and Lasso Tool.

If you use an old version of the software and you don’t have the listed selection tools, you can read the quick guidelines and get the latest free Photoshop version.

• • How to undo the inversion or selection?

Use the hotkeys "Ctrl + Z" for Windows or "Cmd + Z" for Mac OS.

• • How do you know whether the selected object has been inverted?

When you have chosen a selection tool and outlined the object you want, there should appear a dotted line around it. This means that you performed the selection correctly.

BONUS Tools

FREE DOWNLOAD

Learn how to create an action in Photoshop to automate the process of inverting and selecting objects if you work with multiple images.

Additionally, FixThePhoto designers have been collecting the most effective Ps actions for 5 years. These plug-ins allow you to tweak your photos in a few clicks. You can replace the background, retouch skin, remove noise, perform color correction, and more.

Tata Rossi

Tech Trends Journalist

Tata Rossi is a photographer-advisor, key contributor at FixThePhoto, sharing her expertise about photography and 55% of photos you see at our blog are taken by her. She is a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Photography from the Massachusetts College of Art and Design. She is the main so-called teacher in our team, conducting courses on photography and editing for beginners and anyone interested.

Read Tata's full bio

Tetiana Kostylieva

Photo & Video Insights Blogger

Tetiana Kostylieva is the content creator, who takes photos and videos for almost all FixThePhoto blog articles. Her career started in 2013 as a caricature artist at events. Now, she leads our editorial team, testing new ideas and ensuring the content is helpful and engaging. She likes vintage cameras and, in all articles, she always compares them with modern ones showing that it isn’t obligatory to invest in brand-new equipment to produce amazing results.

Read Tetiana's full bio

Contents:

1. 3 methods to invert selection in Photoshop
2. Using hotkeys
3. Inversion selection
4. Using the menu bar
5. FAQ
6. BONUS: Freebies

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