Fuzzy Select (Magic Wand) ToolThe Fuzzy Select (Magic Wand) tool is designed to select areas of the current layer or image based on color similarity.First the official Gimp information:
Next a useful video, the Fuzzy Select" information starts at minute marker 1:32. Notice that his version of Gimp does not include the "Select by" drop down menu:
Now the fun starts, digging into the details. Right now I need to shovel the new snow. Also today I need to play in a live local poker tournament, go to a Valentine supper and then a Buddy Holly dance so this tutorial may take a couple of days to finish! Oh almost forgot, I need to find my "fuzzy select tool" and shave for the outings! ;-)
The following video explains the difference in using the Fuzzy Select and the Select by Color tools. It also explains the use of the Threshold feature.
Te following explains how you can use your mouse movement to set the threshold:
The threshold is set interactively by keeping the left mouse button pressed when selecting the seed pixel. When the outline of the selection appears, and with the left mouse button continually pressed, the mouse can be moved either to the right (or downward) to increase the threshold or to the left (or upward) to diminish it. Increasing the threshold results in a larger selection, and decreasing it, a smaller one. Changing the threshold should be done by moving the mouse in small increments so that the changes in the selected region can be carefully controlled.
Note: I have used this tool for a year now, never mastered it and seldom like the results. The preparation and research I am doing for this tutorial has re-enforced my opinion that this tool is not as "magic" as the alternate name "Magic Wand" implies. ;-)
More notes: This following quote supports my feelings about the Fuzzy Select tool, it has limited use:
The Wand is a good tool for selecting objects with sharp edges. It is fun to use, so beginners often start out using it a lot. You will probably find, however, that the more you use it, the more frustrated you become with the difficulty of selecting exactly what you what, no more, no less. Perhaps the most frustrating aspect is that after you have released the mouse button, you can't make small adjustments to the threshold: you have to start over again from scratch. More experienced users find that the Path and Color Select tools are often more efficient, and use the Wand less. Still, it is useful for selecting an area within a contour, or touching up imperfect selections. It often works very well for selecting a solid-colored (or nearly solid-colored) background area.
This information brings a smile to my face, for over a year now I thought it was just me not knowing how to use the tool, well, that is not the case, it was me not knowing when to use it!
Bottom line Well, what I learned is that with images like the base image below with clean cut lines and color differences I can easily select shapes etc with the Fuzzy Slect tool as shown in the example image. Other than that I have little use for the tool as it is set up now in Gimp. Base image Example:
In this video the author shows us some "fuzzy select" techniques that I have not seen before. The dragging of the tool is one technique of the tool I have not seen. This video is mostly for viewing the "fuzzy select" techniques and not for following along step by step. A bit pass midway in this video the author uses the "Color to Alpha" function which I have not seen used before.
