total newbie, trouble with lasso tool....

merlin777 · **Joined:** Jul 05, 2016 **Posts:** 6

GIMP Version: 2.8.14
Operating System: Windows
OS Version: vista 32
GIMP Experience: New User

I just installed gimp today and started to use it. I'm an intermediate photoshop user.

I'm trying to select an area with the free select tool in it's polygonal mode but I can't get it to complete a selection when I click on the start point to make a polygon. The whole path just disappears.

I'm selecting the free select tool then richt clicking around my shape and on each click it add a line and briefly shows a small circle with orange fill. When I click back on the start of the first line a small circle appears, with orange fill, until I click on it and instead of completing the selection it all disappears!

What am I doing wrong, please?

Wallace · **Posted:** Tue Jul 05, 2016 5:24 pm **(#2)**

merlin777 wrote:

GIMP Version: 2.8.14
Operating System: Windows
OS Version: vista 32
GIMP Experience: New User

I just installed gimp today and started to use it. I'm an intermediate photoshop user.

I'm trying to select an area with the free select tool in it's polygonal mode but I can't get it to complete a selection when I click on the start point to make a polygon. The whole path just disappears.

I'm selecting the free select tool then richt clicking around my shape and on each click it add a line and briefly shows a small circle with orange fill. When I click back on the start of the first line a small circle appears, with orange fill, until I click on it and instead of completing the selection it all disappears!

What am I doing wrong, please?

It sounds like you're using the path tool and not the free select tool.
The free select tool doesn't have a polygonal mode.
However, the path tool does.

merlin777 · **Joined:** Jul 05, 2016 **Posts:** 6

I'm selecting it with the button that has a picture of a lasso on it and when i hover over it it says 'free select tool: select a hand-drawn region with free and polygonal segment' so i'm confident i have the right tool.

Wallace wrote:

merlin777 wrote:

GIMP Version: 2.8.14
Operating System: Windows
OS Version: vista 32
GIMP Experience: New User

I just installed gimp today and started to use it. I'm an intermediate photoshop user.

I'm trying to select an area with the free select tool in it's polygonal mode but I can't get it to complete a selection when I click on the start point to make a polygon. The whole path just disappears.

I'm selecting the free select tool then richt clicking around my shape and on each click it add a line and briefly shows a small circle with orange fill. When I click back on the start of the first line a small circle appears, with orange fill, until I click on it and instead of completing the selection it all disappears!

What am I doing wrong, please?

It sounds like you're using the path tool and not the free select tool.
The free select tool doesn't have a polygonal mode.
However, the path tool does.

Wallace · **Posted:** Tue Jul 05, 2016 5:36 pm **(#4)**

merlin777 wrote:

I'm selecting it with the button that has a picture of a lasso on it and when i hover over it it says 'free select tool: select a hand-drawn region with free and polygonal segment' so i'm confident i have the right tool.

With the free select tool,
:freesel

You need to complete the selection.
If you don't it will disappear.

merlin777 · **Joined:** Jul 05, 2016 **Posts:** 6

Wallace wrote:

merlin777 wrote:

I'm selecting it with the button that has a picture of a lasso on it and when i hover over it it says 'free select tool: select a hand-drawn region with free and polygonal segment' so i'm confident i have the right tool.

With the free select tool,
:freesel

You need to complete the selection.
If you don't it will disappear.

I think thats the bit i'm missing. In PS the selection completes when you click back on the first point to close the polygon. How do you do that in gimp?

Wallace · **Posted:** Tue Jul 05, 2016 6:13 pm **(#6)**

merlin777 wrote:

I think thats the bit i'm missing. In PS the selection completes when you click back on the first point to close the polygon. How do you do that in gimp?

If you hit the Enter key,
or click on the first anchor point.
This will connect the last anchor point with the first one.

I also need to correct myself.
There is a polygonal mode for the free select tool.
By pressing the Ctrl key while moving the mouse pointer,
constraints segments to moving at 15° angles to it's anchor point.

Oregonian · **Posted:** Tue Jul 05, 2016 6:17 pm **(#7)**

In the Gimp menu go to View/Show Selection and make sure it's checked, or you can do Ctrl + T to make it check the Show Selection feature.

Sometimes things get turned off. :cool

merlin777 · **Joined:** Jul 05, 2016 **Posts:** 6

Wallace wrote:

merlin777 wrote:

I think thats the bit i'm missing. In PS the selection completes when you click back on the first point to close the polygon. How do you do that in gimp?

If you hit the Enter key,
or click on the first anchor point.
This will connect the last anchor point with the first one.

I also need to correct myself.
There is a polygonal mode for the free select tool.
By pressing the Ctrl key while moving the mouse pointer,
constraints segments to moving at 15° angles to it's anchor point.

brilliant - thanks for that. didnt think of using return. I had tried control click though and it didnt work so bit of a mystery there.

Wallace · **Posted:** Tue Jul 05, 2016 6:36 pm **(#9)**

merlin777 wrote:

brilliant - thanks for that. didnt think of using return. I had tried control click though and it didnt work so bit of a mystery there.

Sure thing.
:bigthup

Also as was mentioned by Oregonian.
Be sure to check your View options.
To be sure that View Selections is checked.