In the spotlight today is the basics of the Eraser Tool, which is found in both Photoshop and Photoshop Elements. It is important for those interested in digital scrapbooking or photo editing to become familiar with the tools in the most popular graphic programs (Photoshop and Photoshop Elements).
The basics of the Eraser Tool works about the same in both Photoshop or Photoshop Elements, so as you look at the examples below they will usually apply to either program.
Digital Scrapbookers love this tool as it lets us erase items in digital scrapbooking pages, or photo editing projects.
The Basics of the Eraser Tool:
The Eraser tool changes pixels in the image as you drag through them. If 
you’re working in the Background layer or in a layer with locked transparency, erased pixels change to the background color; otherwise, erased pixels become transparent. Transparent pixels are indicated by the gray and white checker board.
So example using Photoshop, in this image we have selected, then taking the Eraser Tool and dragged it over our yellow tag – the image is erased and the transparent layer shows through.
However, if we have a image layer below the layer we are erasing, then when we erase the layer below show through instead of transparency – see example below using Photoshop Elements:
In the image above you can see the photo is underneath the white frame. So when we erase the frame the image shows though and not the transparent layer.
To erase select the Eraser Tool in Photoshop Elements - See the image on the left to see how it looks in Photoshop Elements
Or, to erase select the Eraser Tool in Photoshop - See the image on the left to see how it looks in Photoshop
Once you have selected the Eraser Tool in either Photoshop or Elements, then you will have other options at the top of the menu bar
You can specify any of the following Eraser tool options:
- Brushes
- Sets the brush tip. Click the arrow next to the brush sample, choose a brush category from the Brushes pop‑up menu, and then select a brush thumbnail.
One fun thing to do in digital scrapbooking with the eraser tool is to load a pattern brush and use it to erase a pattern – sort of like a “cut out” or pattern punch!
For example, the eraser tool (brush) is now the shape of a patterned heart -see the image above. So when I click on the note card in my scrapbooking project then the note card will have a hole in it the shape of the heart pattern and the layer below will show through. (Both Photoshop and Elements work closely alike on this option – however, in Photoshop it looks a bit different)
- Size
- Sets the size of the brush in pixels. Drag the Size pop‑up slider or enter a size in the text box. The example below is in Photoshop, but Elements has a slider too.
- Mode
- Brush mode erases by using characteristics of the brush tool, so you can make soft-edged erasures. Pencil mode makes hard-edge erasures like a pencil. Block mode uses a hard-edged 16‑pixel square as an eraser.
Again, Photoshop Elements Mode Setting works the same in Elements
- Opacity
- Defines the strength of the erasure. An opacity of 100% erases pixels to complete transparency on a layer and to the background color on the Background layer. A lower opacity erases pixels to partial transparency on a layer and paints partially with the background color on the Background layer. (If Block mode is selected in the options bar, the Opacity option isn’t available.)
Photoshop works the same way as Elements on this option!
Lastly, set options in the options bar as desired, and then drag through the area you want to erase.
So these are the basics of the Eraser Tool in Photoshop and Photoshop Elements. Tune in for tomorrow’s blog article for more advanced information about the Eraser Tool in Part 2 of this In the Spotlight Tool Tip!
Have a nice day and take a few moments to learn about your digital scrapbooking tools!
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