How to Use Elements+ Selections – Load a Path as a Selection

Hey there! It sounds like you’re ready to get fancy with paths and selections using Elements+ in Photoshop Elements! Since Photoshop Elements doesn’t have native support for paths like the full version of Photoshop, Elements+ provides this awesome feature to bridge the gap.

What does "Load a Path as a Selection" do?

This feature allows you to take a shape or saved path and turn it into a selection. It’s super handy for making precise selections based on shapes or outlines you’ve drawn using paths.

How to Load a Path as a Selection in Elements+:

  1. Open Your Image
    Start by opening the image you want to work on in Photoshop Elements.

  2. Launch Elements+

    • Go to the Effects panel, then navigate to the Elements+ section.
    • Select Selections from the list of available options.

  3. Create or Load a Path
    If you already have a path saved, skip to step 4. If not:

    • Use the Shape Tool to create a path in Elements+ (check the "Paths" section of Elements+ for help).

  4. Load the Path as a Selection

    • Make sure the shape layer is selected
    • In the Selections section of Elements+, choose Load Path as Selection.
    • A dialog box will appear with options.
      - You can set a feather radius which will soften the edges. 
      - You can choose to use Anti-aliasing
      - You can choose how to handle the selection (New, Add to, Subtract from, Intersect)

  5. Edit Your Selection
    Now that the path has been converted into a selection, you can apply any edits you want—adjust colors, create masks, or fill the selection with a new color.

Pro Tip

If your path-based selection needs to be smoother, you can go to Select > Feather and apply a slight feathering to soften the edges.

This feature is perfect for when you want to precisely select curved or irregular areas, like tracing an object or isolating a subject with clean edges.