GMetrix Exam GMetrix Photoshop: Layers and Selections 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which Photoshop tool lets you make a selection by drawing a freehand path that automatically snaps to edges in the image?
- Magnetic Lasso (Correct answer)
- Polygonal Lasso
- Quick Mask
- Pen tool
Correct answer: Magnetic Lasso
The Magnetic Lasso tool detects edge contrast and snaps anchor points along edges as you drag, making it easier to trace irregular boundaries.
Question 2: What is the result of pressing Ctrl+J (Cmd+J on Mac) with an active selection?
- The selection is deleted from the current layer
- The selected pixels are cut to a new layer
- The selected pixels are copied to a new layer (Correct answer)
- The selection is saved to a channel
Correct answer: The selected pixels are copied to a new layer
Ctrl+J copies the selected (or entire) layer content to a new layer without removing pixels from the original.
Question 3: Which blending mode is most useful for adding shadows and darkening an image since white has no effect?
- Screen
- Multiply (Correct answer)
- Color Dodge
- Lighten
Correct answer: Multiply
Multiply darkens by multiplying pixel values, and white (value 255) multiplied with any color has no effect, making it ideal for painting shadows.
Question 4: How do you load a layer's pixel content as a selection in Photoshop?
- Right-click the layer and choose Select Layer
- Ctrl-click (Cmd-click) the layer thumbnail in the Layers panel (Correct answer)
- Go to Select > All and then intersect
- Use the Magic Wand on the layer
Correct answer: Ctrl-click (Cmd-click) the layer thumbnail in the Layers panel
Ctrl/Cmd-clicking a layer thumbnail loads the non-transparent pixels of that layer as a selection (marching ants).
Question 5: What is the difference between 'Layer Groups' and 'Linked Layers' in Photoshop?
- Layer Groups are the same as Linked Layers but with a folder icon
- Layer Groups organize layers inside a folder; Linked Layers move together but stay at their panel positions (Correct answer)
- Linked Layers merge pixels; Layer Groups keep layers separate
- Layer Groups only work with Smart Objects
Correct answer: Layer Groups organize layers inside a folder; Linked Layers move together but stay at their panel positions
Layer Groups (folders) visually contain layers for organization; Linked Layers maintain independent panel positions but move and transform together.
Question 6: When Select > Color Range is used, what does the 'Fuzziness' slider control?
- The feather amount applied to the selection edges
- How similar in color a pixel must be to be included in the selection (Correct answer)
- The number of sample colors used
- The opacity of the selection overlay
Correct answer: How similar in color a pixel must be to be included in the selection
Fuzziness works like Tolerance for Color Range — higher values include a broader range of similar hues in the selection.
Question 7: Which panel feature allows you to set a custom color label on a layer for organizational purposes?
- Layer Properties dialog accessed by right-clicking the layer (Correct answer)
- The Color Picker in the toolbar
- Edit > Layer Color
- Image > Layer Label
Correct answer: Layer Properties dialog accessed by right-clicking the layer
Right-clicking a layer in the Layers panel opens a context menu where you can assign color labels (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, violet, gray) to the layer.
GMetrix Exam GMetrix Photoshop: Layers and Selections 4
Which Photoshop tool lets you make a selection by drawing a freehand path that automatically snaps to edges in the image?