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     <a href="WSfd1234e1c4b69f30ea53e41001031ab64-73c1a.html"><b>Choosing colors</b></a> 
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                <h1>
                    Choose colors with the Eyedropper tool
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                <div><div class="section"><p>The Eyedropper tool samples
color to designate a new foreground or background color. You can
sample from the active image or from anywhere else on the screen. </p>
</div>
<ol><li class="stepexpand"><span>Select the Eyedropper tool&#160;<img src="images/P_Sampler_Lg_N.png" />.</span></li>
<li class="stepexpand"><span>To
change the sample size of the eyedropper, choose an option from
the Sample Size menu:</span> <dl><dt class="dlterm">Point Sample</dt>
<dd>Reads the precise value of the pixel you click.</dd><p class="dlseparator"></p><dt class="dlterm">3 by 3 Average, 5 by 5 Average, 11 by 11 Average,
31 by 31 Average, 51 by 51 Average, 101 by 101 Average</dt>
<dd>Reads the average value of the specified number of pixels
within the area you click. <div class="fignone"><img alt="" id="wc_eyedropper_sample" src="images/wc_eyedropper_sample.png" /><div class="figdesc">Selecting a foreground color with the Eyedropper tool </div><br /><dl><dt class="dlterm">A.</dt>
<dd>Point sample</dd><p class="dlseparator"></p><dt class="dlterm">B.</dt>
<dd>5 x 5
average sample</dd><p class="dlseparator"></p></dl>
</div></dd><p class="dlseparator"></p></dl>
</li>
<li class="stepexpand"><span>Choose one of the following from the Sample menu:</span> <dl><dt class="dlterm">All Layers</dt>
<dd>Samples color from all layers in the document.</dd><p class="dlseparator"></p><dt class="dlterm">Current Layer</dt>
<dd>Samples color from the currently active layer.</dd><p class="dlseparator"></p></dl>
</li>
<li class="stepexpand"><span>Do one of the following:</span><ul><li><p>To select a new foreground color, click
in the image. Alternatively, position the pointer over the image,
press the mouse button, and drag anywhere on the screen. The foreground
color selection box changes dynamically as you drag. Release the
mouse button to pick the new color.</p>
</li>
<li><p>To select a new background color, Alt-click (Windows)
or Option-click (Mac&#160;OS) in the image. Alternatively, position
the pointer over the image, press Alt (Windows) or Options (Mac&#160;OS),
press the mouse button, and drag anywhere on the screen. The background
color selection box changes dynamically as you drag. Release the
mouse button to pick the new color.</p>
</li>
</ul>
 <div class="tip"><img src="images/tip_help.png" />To use the Eyedropper tool temporarily
to select a foreground color while using any painting tool, hold
down Alt (Windows) or Option (Mac&#160;OS).</div></li>
</ol>
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