With the release of Adobe Photoshop, version 23.5.0, comes the option to use Adobe cloud computers to make selections with the Select Subject feature. In this tutorial, we’ll show you how and when to use it for the best possible choices.
How will your computer stand up to Adobe’s Cloud advantage? Let’s find out!
Requirements for using Adobe Cloud Choices
There are two prerequisites to be able to use the Adobe Cloud version of Select Subject in Photoshop.
First, you will need an active internet connection. Without it, the option will be there but you won’t be able to access the cloud feature. It’s also worth noting that when uploading to Adobe Cloud, it will take a few moments longer than the normal selections on your device.
You will also need to have Photoshop version 23.5.0 or higher to access the Adobe Cloud feature.
How to access Adobe Cloud choices
You can use the keyboard shortcut W To access one of the three selection tools that will allow you to access the Adobe Cloud selections feature. Make sure that either object selection toolAnd the Quick tool selectionor magic wand tool active.
At the top of the menu bar, you will see the usual Select the topic And the Define and hide Features. But there is now a drop down arrow in the topic selection. Clicking on it will reveal a file device option for faster results, and Zipper Option to get detailed results.
Once you choose the device or cloud, tap Select theme as you normally would and the selection will be made based on your choice.
Example 1: One topic
Now, let’s see what the differences are between the device (your computer) and Adobe’s Cloud option using one topic as an example. Let’s try the device first.
Device selection:
You’ll notice that the selection, as defined by the walking ants, has exactly identified the man, but nothing else. Now, let’s see what the cloud option can do.
Cloud selection:
Select Subject Cloud went a step further and selected most of the laptop (slightly missing in the lower right corner) and part of the folder on the desk. Not a perfect choice by any means, and in both versions there may be some tweaks made because Adobe isn’t sure what the off-man topic might be.
We tell you everything you need to know about the subject selection tool if you need to improve your Photoshop selection skills.
Example 2: group photo
Let’s compare how device and cloud features work head-on in a live example of three topics close together against a solid background.
Device selection:
As you can see, the choice of device was not that great. She located the two women perfectly in the upper part of the photo against the solid background, but she missed parts of the woman kneeling in the front as well as the pants of the woman on the right.
Cloud selection:
much better result; The choice of fastener is almost perfect. She picked all three women and only missed a small part next to the first woman’s finger which includes some of the background, but this is an easy fix.
Example 3: A slightly underexposed photo with one subject
In this example, not only is the image slightly overexposed, but Adobe may have problems determining exactly what the subject is. Is it just a painter or should it include drawing and other elements as well? Let’s compare.
Device selection:
The machine option did a good job of picking out both the painter and the table next to it. But she chose only the top of the board.
Cloud selection:
It can be said that the cloud selection did not do a good job. I selected all of the paint, but the selection also only included part of the table and the front of the brush was missing.
Example 4: Unusual subject
Can either of the two selection options detect a person hanging out at the sides in an unusual shot? Let’s find out.
Device selection:
The choice of device was not good at all. The depth of field characteristics, colors, and shape details were enough to confuse the subject of selecting the device and making a terrible choice.
Cloud selection:
Cloud selection is the clear winner in this example. She almost chose the whole man and nothing else; Easy solution using lasso tool or the Define and hide Selection. We get into the details about masking a theme in Photoshop.
Example 5: ambiguous subject
In our last example, we’ll look at a very obscure topic. Are we trying to define the sky, the foreground, or the background? Let’s see how our selections will be presented.
Device selection:
Not good news for device selection. Didn’t even work! But if you mean to select the sky, we show you how to replace any sky in Photoshop.
Cloud selection:
At least, the cloud chose something, and it did a relatively decent job of choosing just about everything but the sky. This is another easy solution, no matter what your topic is.
When do you use the device or the cloud? Select the topic
Whichever option you decide to use will likely result in an incomplete selection. Photoshop’s selection technology is still not quite perfect. However, with the tools available, it only takes a few moments to fix issues that may appear.
What is the ruling? Use Monday! If you’re trying to get the perfect one-click selection, try out both the device and Adobe Cloud and see which works best. But you will discover that the cloud option will be better for clearer and more detailed selections in most cases.
Photoshop makes it easy to make quick selections
Photoshop’s selection features are getting better. No matter which one you prefer, select theme with device or Adobe Cloud, we hope you try both selection options on your images because you will likely get varied results with different types of images.