San's Graphic Blog

Polygonal Lasso tool is perfect for outlining object with straight edges such as buildings. You can also simulate curving organic edge by using the refine edge tool later.

(L) Short cut key to activate the Lasso, hold shift to cycle through the different lasso tool or click and hold the Lasso icon to choose the different types. The first Lasso Tool is a freehand tool, you can find the article about this tool here.

If your subject has a curvy organic outline don't worry, you can always refine the edge to make the lasso smoother later. Above is an example of an organic object outlined by the polygonal lasso. Learn how to create smooth curving outline with polygonal lasso tool here.

Polygonal Lasso allows you to create selection with straight lines but you can also use it on curvy edges if you created a polygon with enough sides to simulate curviness.

Start by clicking on the first spot of your edge than continue clicking until you surround your entire object.

Holding Shift will snap the line on a 45 degree increment.

Temporary change the Polygonal to freehand Lasso by holding Alt/Option

Press ENTER on your keyboard to finish the selection or click on the first spot again.

Lasso Tool tips and tricks.

Moving the Selection after it is done - With Lasso Tool still activated you can click and drag the inside of a selection to move it around.

SUBTRACT a section of the selection by holding Alt/Option.

ADD to the existing selection by holding Shift.

CUT & MOVE the pixel to another location of the same layer by holding Ctrl/Command

Create an INTERSECTING selection on an existing selection by holding Alt/Option + Shift.

Partially undoing some of the clicks by hitting the Del button on your keyboard to undo the clicks.

Read my article about Refine Edge here.

This is part of my tutorial set. Please visit the TUTORIAL PAGE for a list of all the tutorials.

One Response to “Fast and easy selection with Polygonal Lasso Tool in Photoshop”