This project has TWO requirements:

1. Using a photo that you have scanned, select a complex shape using Quickmask, and then save the selection using Save Selection from the Select Menu.
2. Then, create a feathered vignette border for the photo.

The purpose of this project is to get you comfortable with some of the uses of selections and to get you acquainted with Quickmask and with the various commands in the Select Menu. You've already seen the Quickmask tutorial, and worked with it somewhat, so I will not repeat everything about this tool here. I will show you how to save the selection.

1. In this image, I've already created a mask using Quickmask. I cannot save a selection while I'm still in Quickmask mode, so I click on the Standard Mode button immediately to the left of the Quickmask button to return to Photoshop's default mode.

2. Now I go to the Select Menu and choose Save Selection. Once the box pops up, I really don't need to anything except click OK. But if I want to give my new selection a name, I can type it in the box labelled "Name", then click OK.

3. NOTE: if you create a selection, you MUST save it using Save Selection in the Select Menu. Simply clicking on "Save" in the File Menu will not do anything ! I've had a number of students that thought they'd saved their selection, but the selection was not retained, because they had not used "Save Selection".

Now, you're ready to make a vignette border.

1. First, click on the Rectangular Marquee tool in the Toolbar. In the Options Palette bar, under the menu's at the top of the screen, enter a small number ( 2 - 4 ) for "Feather". This will soften the edges of your border.

2. Second, go to the Image Menu and scroll down to Image Size. Note the dimensions of the image in pixels, ( NOT inches ), then click OK.

3. In the Select Menu, choose Select All. Then scroll down to Modify. Choose Border. Enter an appropriate numeral for the image - one that will create a border that will be large enough to see, but not so large that it will take out a large area of the picture. This is why you checked the image dimensions first.

4. Now, choose a background color in the Swatches at the bottom of the Toolbar that will be compatible with the rest of the image. A good method is to select a color already within the image with the Eyedropper tool.

5. To complete the vignette border, press the Delete key on your keyboard. The edges of your image should now be filled with the color you've selected.

6. When finished, save this project as " yourname_vignette ", where yourname = your last name.

Remember that this assignment requires both features - a complex saved selection, and a vignette border.