https://phlearn.com/tutorial/photoshop-2025-updated-select-subject-tool/
The Select Subject tool quickly finds and selects the main subject in a photo. In Photoshop 2025, Adobe has added cloud-based processing for more accurate results, especially with tricky details like hair, fur, or complex shapes.
Cloud Processing option gives cleaner, more precise selections than on-device (Device) processing.
Works best for portraits, animals, and objects with detailed edges.
You can still switch between Cloud and Device for flexibility.
Open Settings (Windows: Edit > Preferences; Mac: Photoshop > Preferences).
Go to Image Processing.
Change Select Subject to Cloud (you can also set Remove Background to Cloud if you want).
Click OK.
Choose the Object Selection Tool from the toolbar.
Click the Select Subject button at the top.
Make sure Cloud is selected in the dropdown.
Photoshop will automatically select the main subject.
Refine your selection:
Double-click the layer mask.
Use Select and Mask to smooth, feather, and use the Refine Edge Brush for tricky edges.
Duplicate the masked layer (Ctrl/Cmd + J), then merge duplicates (Ctrl/Cmd + E).
Use the Selection Brush Tool to select a clean portion of the hair. Duplicate that section.
Use the Move Tool (V) to position it over areas where detail is missing.
Go to Transform > Warp (Ctrl/Cmd + T) to shape it.
Change the blend mode to Darken (or whichever works best).
Add a layer mask to hide unwanted parts.
Faster workflow – one click to isolate your subject.
Cleaner results – especially on complex images.
Professional control – refine and enhance to achieve seamless edits.
Pro Tip: Try running Select Subject (Cloud) and then immediately open Select and Mask to make refinements before committing to your selection.
Learn how to use the updated Select Subject tool with cloud processing to quickly isolate a subject, refine edges, and compare the results to the original image. You will include both the Before and After versions on your selection tools poster.
Get Ready
Open Photoshop 2025.
Choose a photo that has a clear subject (person, animal, or object) with some tricky edges (hair, fur, detailed outlines).
Enable Cloud Processing
Go to Preferences > Image Processing.
Set Select Subject to Cloud.
Click OK.
Make Your Selection
Select the Object Selection Tool from the toolbar.
At the top, choose Select Subject.
Make sure the dropdown says Cloud.
Refine the Edges
Double-click on your layer mask (or go to Select > Select and Mask).
Use the Refine Edge Brush Tool to improve hair, fur, or detailed edges.
Adjust Smooth, Feather, and Shift Edge sliders for a cleaner cutout.
Save the Before & After
Before Image: Save a copy of your untouched original photo.
After Image: Save your final cutout version (on a transparent or coloured background).
Add to Your Poster
Create a section for Select Subject on your poster.
Place the Before image on the left and the After image on the right.
Add a short caption:
“Select Subject with Cloud Processing – Quickly isolates main subject with cleaner, more accurate results.”
✅ Before and After images are clear and aligned.
✅ Edges are smooth and refined, with no obvious cut-out errors.
✅ Caption explains what the tool does.
✅ Saved as part of your final Selections Poster in both PSD and JPG formats.