In the Layers panel, locate the layer with the content or mask you want to select.
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Load selections from layer content or masks
Last updated on
Sep 28, 2026
Use modifier keys with layer thumbnails to load selections based on pixel opacity or mask boundaries.
Select visible pixels from a layer or mask by using modifier keys with layer thumbnails. This method lets you quickly create selections based on pixel opacity or mask boundaries.
Use this technique to isolate layer content surrounded by transparency or work with existing mask boundaries. The resulting selection automatically matches the opacity of the source - fully opaque areas produce hard edges while partially transparent areas create feathered selections. For selection refinement techniques, see the Select and Mask workspace. To understand mask fundamentals, see Add layer masks.
Layer thumbnails in the Layers panel show actual image content, while mask thumbnails display grayscale values where white reveals and black conceals. These thumbnails serve as visual references for what each selection operation captures.
Load a new selection from layer content or masks
Select all non-transparent pixels on a layer: Press Ctrl (Windows) or Command (macOS) and click the layer thumbnail.
Select unmasked areas from a layer mask: Press Ctrl (Windows) or Command (macOS) and click the layer mask thumbnail.
Areas with partial transparency create feathered selection edges, while fully opaque areas produce hard-edged selections.
Modify existing selections with layer content or masks
Create or load a selection using any selection tool.
To add pixels to the selection, press Ctrl + Shift (Windows) or Command + Shift (macOS) and click the layer or mask thumbnail.
To subtract pixels from the selection, press Ctrl + Alt (Windows) or Command + Option (macOS) and click the layer or mask thumbnail.
To select the layer or mask, press Ctrl + Alt + Shift (Windows) or Command + Option + Shift (macOS), then click the layer or mask thumbnail.
Tip
To move or transform all layer contents including transparent areas, use the Move tool directly without loading a selection. Loading transparency as a selection is necessary only when you want to isolate the visible pixels for editing, copying, or masking.
When working with layer groups, clicking the group folder thumbnail selects all non-transparent pixels across all visible layers within that group, making it efficient to create composite selections from multiple layers simultaneously.
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