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Davesome
Participant
February 11, 2017
Answered

Why is the magic wand tool not working properly?

  • February 11, 2017
  • 5 replies
  • 47959 views

Hello!

I want to use the magic wand tool in Photoshop CC to select the sky in a picture. Unfortunately, it does not work like shown in tutorials I have seen. When I click somewhere in the picture, the entire picture gets selected. It does not make any difference when I change the tolerance to 1 or 255.

Does someone know how I can solve this problem?

Thank you very much!

This topic has been closed for replies.
Correct answer S_Gans

It sounds like you may be trying to use the Magic Wand on a layer that doesn't have the pixels you want to select - likely a blank layer. Make sure you've clicked on the layer that has the sky on it (make sure it's "highlighted" - kind of a different gray than the other layers), so Photoshop knows that's the layer from which you want to select pixels.

5 replies

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Chloe28043845bb7i
Participant
January 21, 2023

Thanks but its still not working it is highlighted but it doesnt work😅😅😅

jane-e
Community Expert
jane-eCommunity Expert
Community Expert
January 21, 2023

@Chloe28043845bb7i 

Show us a screenshot that includes:

  • Layers panel with the correct layer selected
  • Toolbar with Magic Wand selected
  • Options bar for Magic Wand
  • The document window with your image

 

How to take screenshots here:

https://www.take-a-screenshot.org/windows.html

 

If you can tell us in what way "it doesn't work", that will be helpful, as those words can mean many things.

 

Jane

 

A
Anchor0101
Participant
February 18, 2021

Davesome -

I think we're having the same issue. The correct answer below is correct, but not exactly the solution I was looking for in my project's situation. 

My .psd from a designer had a shape layer that was partially transparent in PS but as soon as exported or brought into Premiere, AE, etc. The "transparent" still layer appeared white. The magic wand tool wasnt selecting the designer's layer because it;s not actually there.

Heres what I found:

- Open your properties window in PS

- Select the grouped layers or layer

- Select "Properties" window

- Toggle "Artboard background color" to "transparent"

 

 

B
BenMulder
Participant
January 30, 2021

I have the layer that I want selected but I am still having the same problem.

davescm
Community Expert
davescmCommunity Expert
Community Expert
February 11, 2017

Do you have either :

a. The layer with the image  you want to select from  selected in the layers panel
or

b. Sample all layers checked in the options bar?

You need one of the above for the tool to work.

Edit : Looks like you had a reply whilst I was typing this

Dave

    S_Gans
    Community Expert
    S_GansCommunity ExpertCorrect answer
    Community Expert
    February 11, 2017

    It sounds like you may be trying to use the Magic Wand on a layer that doesn't have the pixels you want to select - likely a blank layer. Make sure you've clicked on the layer that has the sky on it (make sure it's "highlighted" - kind of a different gray than the other layers), so Photoshop knows that's the layer from which you want to select pixels.

    Adobe Community Expert / Adobe Certified Instructor
      D
      DavesomeAuthor
      Participant
      February 11, 2017

      Thank you! You are an amazing person! I tried everything for hours wow I feel so stupid now

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