Copy and Paste with Selection

Another way to use selections, besides applying a filter only to selected pixels, is to create complex objects by copying or cutting the pixels contained in the selection.

Let's consider the example below: we create an object by copying the content of a selection and the resulting object can then be converted to a layer.

First we make a selection using the polygon lasso tool: let's select the shape of the bear.

After we choose from main menu->Edit->Copy. The pixels selected will be saved to an Object.

An object is an image with color information and alpha channel just like a layer; but till we dont convert the object to a layer it will remain copied in memory for being used at any time.

When you create a new object it will appear on the side toolbar in the Object Tab. You will see both the RGB informations and the alpha channel of the object that combined together will give the result of the picture below on the right.

If you wish to use the created object now, you can for example open a new picture and paste the object as Layer there.

To paste, select from main menu->Edit->Paste as New Layer. See the example below as a possible result you could create with this simple technique:

We have pasted our bear onto a different background as a separate layer. You can move it, resize it from the layers window. To move it faster you can also use the move Layer tool on the bottom toolbar.