Using Operators with Selections

A selection determines what portion of the image is affected by any operator placed above it in the Workspace panel.

In the following illustration, the Elliptical Selection limits the effect of the Twirl filter, while the Rectangular Selection limits the effect of the Emboss filter.

If more operators were added over the Emboss filter, they would also be limited by the Rectangular Selection. To apply an operator to the entire image after a selection, you must first add a Remove Selection filter.

To apply an operator to a selection:

1. In the Workspace panel, double-click the composite to make it current.
2. Select a layer.
3. Choose Operators | Selections, and choose the type of selection you want to create. In the Toolbar, click a selection tool and draw a selection on the image. See Selection Operators.

The current operator is now the Selection operator. The current viewport displays the selection marquee, and the menu changes to display only relevant commands.

4. When you are satisfied with the selection, make the composite the current operator so that you have access to the Operators menu. To do so, double-click the composite in the Workspace panel.
5. Select the layer again.
6. Choose an operator from the Operators menu.

The operator is applied over the selection and modifies only the selected area for the duration of the clip. If you apply other operators on top of the selection, they are also limited by the selection.

7. To remove the effect of the selection, choose Operators | Selections | Remove Selection.

The selection no longer applies, so operators that are added later affect the entire layer.

Note: You can add filters and selections in any order and then change their stacking order if required. In the Workspace panel, click and drag an operator to change its stacking order in a composite.