Selection Tools
The Selection Tools allow you to use various techniques to select specific sections of an image, rather than the entire graphic. These tools create “marching-ant” marquees around the selected areas and fade the unselected areas so users can determine exactly which area they have selected. Once selected, you can edit and manipulate a section of an image while leaving the rest untouched. The Selection Tools are discussed in more detail in the Blending Images section of this tutorial.
Enhancement Tools
The Enhancement Tools allow you to clone portions of an image, blur or enhance backgrounds, fill an area with a selected color, or further emphasize focal points. The Enhancement Tools are discussed in more detail in the Enhancing Images section of this tutorial.
Vector Tools
The Vector Tools allow users to create vector-based objects in Photoshop. The Vector Tools are discussed in more detail in the Drawing Tools section of this tutorial.
Navigation Tools
By using the Navigation Tools, you can move to different sections of an image, or change magnification of the image. The Zoom Tool allows users to magnify and reduce areas of images. Click the Zoom Tool to zoom in (magnify); press the Alt key and click the Zoom Tool to zoom out. The Hand Tool allows users to slide the image around the Image Area in order to view different sections of the image.
Color Tools
The Color Tools control the foreground and background colors. In this example, white is the current foreground color and red is the background color. When used in conjuction with the Color Palette and the Swatches Palette, users can select from millions of different colors to use in their images. The Eyedropper Tool allows you to select a color from an existing image. The Color Tools are discussed in more detail in the Enhancing Images and the Drawing Tools sections of this tutorial.
Credit to Dr. Mary Nicholson
