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Chris P. Bacon
Chris P. Bacon
Inspiring
January 13, 2023
Question

What's the best tool in Photoshop for accurate free hand selections?

  • January 13, 2023
  • 3 replies
  • 1769 views

I used to use the Freeform Pen Tool to draw a path and then hit Ctrl + Enter to turn it into a selection, but after I am done with a stroke and release the mouse button, it doesn't keep the actual stroke that I have drawn, it over simplifies it, but it's not smoothening it, it's making it more edgy and tries to straighten the lines that I have drawn.

I want to disable that.

I want a selection tool that can select manually exactly what I want so that the selection doesn't change to something else after I release the mouse button.

This topic has been closed for replies.

3 replies

Jeff Arola
Community Expert
Jeff ArolaCommunity Expert
Community Expert
January 13, 2023

You can adjust the Curve Fit in the Path Options before drawing a Freeform Path.

The lower the number the more it adheres to where you draw. The default is 2.0

 

 

Didn't realize that Curve Fit was already mentioned in another of your posts.

Still the curve Fit should make a major difference when drawing the path.

You changed the Curve Fit before drawing a path?

    Chris P. Bacon
    Chris P. BaconAuthor
    Inspiring
    January 13, 2023

    Yes I tried it with setting it to 0.5 pixels but the path is still not exactly what I draw.

    Jeff Arola
    Community Expert
    Jeff ArolaCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    January 13, 2023

    Have you tried the Lasso Tool?

      Simmer1
      Community Expert
      Simmer1Community Expert
      Community Expert
      January 13, 2023

      Hey Chris,

       

      Try using the Pen Tool and draw the area you wish to select and then Right click and select make selection: 

       

      Then entered your desired feather radius and hit enter and this shoulkd make a near perfects selection for you.

        Chris P. Bacon
        Chris P. BaconAuthor
        Inspiring
        January 13, 2023

        It's not possible to accurately select witht he Pen tool, and it's bloated with features that I don't need for selection, like the curve changing handles, etc....

        c.pfaffenbichler
        Community Expert
        c.pfaffenbichlerCommunity Expert
        Community Expert
        January 13, 2023

        For Paths I would just use the Pen Tool – not the same experience naturally. 

        Have you tried using Illustrator’s Pencil Tool? 

         

        If the ultimate target are Selections/Layer Masks why not just paint with the Paint Brush Tool? 

        Chris P. Bacon
        Chris P. BaconAuthor
        Inspiring
        January 13, 2023

        I need to do my selections in Photoshop, not in Illustrator.

        I cut out images in Photoshop, then I do illustrated collages in Illustrator.

         

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