John
Junior Forum Member
Posts: 232 
Open to constructive criticism of photos: Yes
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Post by John on Jun 26, 2016 20:52:38 GMT
Took a break from this forum, I'm back and ready to try again.
When I use the lasso tool it seems my eyes are not good enough to follow the cursor when I am selecting an item in a photo. Being unable to make clean selections has almost driven me away from PSE. Is there an adjustment I can make to increase the visibility of the cursor? Preciate any help.
John
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Post by Tpgettys on Jun 26, 2016 21:03:32 GMT
Hi John , welcome back! There are 3 tools under the lasso tool button: Lasso Tool, the Magnetic Lasso Tool and the Polygon Lasso Tool. Which one are you asking about? If it is the first one, I understand, as I find it pretty hard to use as well! I recommend trying out the magnetic lasso tool, as it will help you out by snapping to the outline of any clearly defined object. If you need more info just ask! |
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ken1
Junior Forum Member
Posts: 83
Open to constructive criticism of photos: Yes
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Post by ken1 on Jun 26, 2016 21:21:24 GMT
It is my preference to use the magnetic lasso tool as well. Before starting out, I like to increase the overall contrast of the picture, if indicated - a judgement call.
Also, note, if the tool snaps to an area outside the desired point of selection, you can go back by hitting the delete key on the keyboard. Then, click to set anchor points closer together as you go forward again.
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Post by Sepiana on Jun 26, 2016 21:25:05 GMT
Took a break from this forum, I'm back and ready to try again. When I use the lasso tool it seems my eyes are not good enough to follow the cursor when I am selecting an item in a photo. Being unable to make clean selections has almost driven me away from PSE. Is there an adjustment I can make to increase the visibility of the cursor? Preciate any help. John John,
I am not sure how to increase the visibility of the cursor but . . .
I would suggest you use the Quick Selection tool to make your selections instead of any one of the three Lasso tools. It doesn't matter if the object being selected has a fuzzy or a well-defined outline. From my experience, the Quick Selection tool is the ultimate tool for making selections. I use it 99.99% of the time.
I noticed in another thread you mentioned using Elements 11. Starting with this version, Adobe gave Elements the same Refine Edge feature available in Photoshop. Take advantage of it to fine-tune the edges of your selection. You won't regret it.
Use the Quick Selection tool Making Killer Selections in Photoshop Elements 11
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Post by Sepiana on Jun 26, 2016 21:53:59 GMT
John,
Just adding some more information.
Without seeing the kind of object you are trying to extract, I am reluctant to suggest you use the Magnetic Lasso tool. This is a very handy tool because you don't really have to be precise at following the object outline; this tool will just snap to the outline of the object you are trying to select. Unfortunately, this behavior results in some limitations. The Magnetic Lasso tool will work best when selecting an object with well-defined edges as well as strong contrast between it and the background. It will be a different story if you are trying so select an object with fuzzy edges (furry animals, people with flyaway hair, etc.). On the other hand, the Quick Selection tool, which I recommended in my previous post, will tackle both kinds of outline (fuzzy as well as well-defined), especially when you use it in conjunction with the updated, deluxe version of Refine Edge (Elements 11 and above). |
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Post by Sepiana on Jun 27, 2016 7:24:31 GMT
When I use the lasso tool it seems my eyes are not good enough to follow the cursor when I am selecting an item in a photo. Being unable to make clean selections has almost driven me away from PSE. Is there an adjustment I can make to increase the visibility of the cursor? Preciate any help. John,
My apologies! I didn't remember this until now.
You mentioned in another thread you have Elements 11. This problem with the Lasso tool has nothing to do with your eyes or your cursor. It is a problem (bug?) which developed in Elements 11. For same reason, depending on the colors in your image, it is almost impossible to see the marching ants outline as you drag the Lasso tool. They become practically invisible. I first noticed this happening when I used this tool on a kind of grayish area in my image. I remember starting a thread on this issue in the now-closed Elements Village forum. I know Adobe was informed of this problem with the Lasso tool and they fixed it. It is still present in Elements 12 but it is gone in Elements 13 and above.
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John
Junior Forum Member
Posts: 232
Open to constructive criticism of photos: Yes
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Post by John on Jun 27, 2016 12:11:26 GMT
Hi John , welcome back! There are 3 tools under the lasso tool button: Lasso Tool, the Magnetic Lasso Tool and the Polygon Lasso Tool. Which one are you asking about? If it is the first one, I understand, as I find it pretty hard to use as well! I recommend trying out the magnetic lasso tool, as it will help you out by snapping to the outline of any clearly defined object. If you need more info just ask! Good advice, works much better than the basic Lasso. Rick Peterson made it look so easy. |
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John
Junior Forum Member
Posts: 232
Open to constructive criticism of photos: Yes
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Post by John on Jun 27, 2016 12:15:41 GMT
Took a break from this forum, I'm back and ready to try again. When I use the lasso tool it seems my eyes are not good enough to follow the cursor when I am selecting an item in a photo. Being unable to make clean selections has almost driven me away from PSE. Is there an adjustment I can make to increase the visibility of the cursor? Preciate any help. John John,
I am not sure how to increase the visibility of the cursor but . . .
I would suggest you use the Quick Selection tool to make your selections instead of any one of the three Lasso tools. It doesn't matter if the object being selected has a fuzzy or a well-defined outline. From my experience, the Quick Selection tool is the ultimate tool for making selections. I use it 99.99% of the time.
I noticed in another thread you mentioned using Elements 11. Starting with this version, Adobe gave Elements the same Refine Edge feature available in Photoshop. Take advantage of it to fine-tune the edges of your selection. You won't regret it.
Use the Quick Selection tool Making Killer Selections in Photoshop Elements 11
Thanks. Put this on my list of things to try.
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John
Junior Forum Member
Posts: 232
Open to constructive criticism of photos: Yes
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Post by John on Jun 27, 2016 12:23:55 GMT
It is my preference to use the magnetic lasso tool as well. Before starting out, I like to increase the overall contrast of the picture, if indicated - a judgement call. Also, note, if the tool snaps to an area outside the desired point of selection, you can go back by hitting the delete key on the keyboard. Then, click to set anchor points closer together as you go forward again. Thanks. Magnetic has my attention now. Had not thought of increasing contrast. Makes sense. |
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John
Junior Forum Member
Posts: 232
Open to constructive criticism of photos: Yes
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Post by John on Jun 27, 2016 12:27:14 GMT
When I use the lasso tool it seems my eyes are not good enough to follow the cursor when I am selecting an item in a photo. Being unable to make clean selections has almost driven me away from PSE. Is there an adjustment I can make to increase the visibility of the cursor? Preciate any help. John,
My apologies! I didn't remember this until now.
You mentioned in another thread you have Elements 11. This problem with the Lasso tool has nothing to do with your eyes or your cursor. It is a problem (bug?) which developed in Elements 11. For same reason, depending on the colors in your image, it is almost impossible to see the marching ants outline as you drag the Lasso tool. They become practically invisible. I first noticed this happening when I used this tool on a kind of grayish area in my image. I remember starting a thread on this issue in the now-closed Elements Village forum. I know Adobe was informed of this problem with the Lasso tool and they fixed it. It is still present in Elements 12 but it is gone in Elements 13 and above.
Thanks, I didn't really believe it would be a simple adjustment. If I ever upgrade PSE I'll be OK. |
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ken1
Junior Forum Member
Posts: 83
Open to constructive criticism of photos: Yes
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Post by ken1 on Jun 27, 2016 13:46:57 GMT
Thanks. Magnetic has my attention now. Had not thought of increasing contrast. Makes sense.
You're very welcome. Glad to help.
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Post by Sepiana on Jun 27, 2016 15:18:08 GMT
Thanks. Put this on my list of things to try. John, you are most welcome! Yes, give the Quick Selection tool + new updated Refine Edge a chance. You won't regret it. |
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Post by Sepiana on Jun 27, 2016 15:21:55 GMT
John,
My apologies! I didn't remember this until now.
You mentioned in another thread you have Elements 11. This problem with the Lasso tool has nothing to do with your eyes or your cursor. It is a problem (bug?) which developed in Elements 11. For same reason, depending on the colors in your image, it is almost impossible to see the marching ants outline as you drag the Lasso tool. They become practically invisible. I first noticed this happening when I used this tool on a kind of grayish area in my image. I remember starting a thread on this issue in the now-closed Elements Village forum. I know Adobe was informed of this problem with the Lasso tool and they fixed it. It is still present in Elements 12 but it is gone in Elements 13 and above.
Thanks, I didn't really believe it would be a simple adjustment. If I ever upgrade PSE I'll be OK. John, you are most welcome! I just wish I had remembered this when I first read your OP. |
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