Photoshop is a program that allows you to work with images and graphics. This document will give an overview of the tools you can use when working with them. These tools are found in the Toolbox, which appears on the left side of the screen when you first start Photoshop. If the Toolbox is not visible, from the Window menu, select Tools.
Button
Tool Name
Action
MoveMoves selections, layers, and guides.
Rectangular MarqueeMakes a rectangular selection and provides access to the
Elliptical, Single Row, and Single Column Marquee Tools.
LassoDraws free-hand segments of a selection's border and provides access to the
Polygonal Lasso Tool and Magnetic Lasso Tool.
Magic Wand
Selects consistently colored areas without requiring you to trace the outline and provides access to the
Quick Selection Tool.
CropRemoves unwanted portions from an image. For more information see,
Cropping an Image.
SliceCreates slices so you can separate your document into areas, which makes it more functional. It also provides access to the
Slice Select Tool.
Spot Healing BrushCorrects imperfections in an image by making them disappear into the surrounding image. It also provides access to the
Healing Brush Tool, Patch Tool, and the
Red Eye Tool.
BrushPaints brush strokes onto an image and provides access to the
Pencil Tool and
Color Replacement Tool.
Clone StampPaints a clone of an image or area of an image you have already selected. It also provides access to the
Pattern Stamp Tool.
History BrushPaints a copy of one
image state or snapshot of an image into your current image's window. It also provides access to the
Art History Brush Tool.
EraserErases pixels wherever the mouse is clicked. It also provides access to the
Background Eraser Tool and the
Magic Eraser Tool.
GradientCreates a gradual blend between colors and also provides access to the
Paint Bucket Tool. For more information, see
Working with the Gradient Tool.
BlurSoftens the edges of an image. It also provides access to the
Sharpen Tool and the
Smudge Tool.
DodgeAllows you to darken or lighten areas of an image. It also provides access to the
Burn Tool and the
Sponge Tool.
PenAllows you to create, edit, or smooth lines and shapes. It also provides access to the
Freeform Pen Tool,
Add Anchor Point Tool,
Delete Anchor Point Tool, and the
Convert Point Tool.
Horizontal TypeAllows you to
insert text onto an image. It also provides access to the
Vertical Type Tool,
Horizontal Type Mask Tool, and the
Vertical Type Mask Tool.
Path SelectionMakes shape or segment selections that show anchor points, direction lines, and direction points. It also provides access to the
Direct Selection Tool.
RectangleAllows you to draw different shapes. It also provides access to the
Rounded Rectangle Tool,
Ellipse Tool,
Polygon Tool,
Line Tool, and the
Custom Shape Tool.
NotesAllows you to add notes to any image. It also provides access to the
Audio Annotation Tool.
EyedropperAllows you to get colors from an image to designate as a new
background or foreground color. It also provides access to the
Color Sampler Tool, the
Ruler Tool, and the
Count Tool.
HandMoves an image within its window.
ZoomMagnifies or reduces the view size of an image.