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Participant
August 2, 2023
Question

How do I make a rectangle selection as precise as possible?

  • August 2, 2023
  • 6 replies
  • 930 views

How do I make a rectangle selection in Photoshop as precise as possible, without using coordinates? Following the lines of an existing squarte, for example, with a pen or mouse. The problem is that the moment the pen our mouse leaves the table/ is lifted up, the rectangle moves just slightly. It is difficult to leave it in the perfect position. It would be great to have a key to press when the perfect size is reached. Does anyone know if there is such a key that "lock/ stops" the rectangle selection at a certain spot?

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6 replies

Conrad_C
Community Expert
Community Expert
August 2, 2023

It’s definitely a problem with a stylus, because it can be difficult to lift the stylus (release the drag) straight up, and the slightest sideways motion can change the selection. But you should not be having this problem with a mouse or trackpad, where it should be possible to release the mouse button without moving the pointer at all.

 

Still, if you have this problem, another solution is, while the selection is active, choose Select > Transform Selection. This will let you refine the size or placement of the selection until you get it right, then apply the transformation to finalize it.

 

If you’re still having trouble editing the selection precisely with a stylus or mouse while Transform Selection is active, you can also edit the numbers in the options bar, so that you can for example enter exactly “100 px” for W, and that is how wide the selection marquee will become.

 

Note that Select > Transform Selection is not the same as transforming selected pixels (Edit > Transform), which alters a layer. Transform Selection only affects the selection marquee.

MarekMularczyk
Community Expert
Community Expert
August 2, 2023

Also, you can use Rectangular Marquee tool to make a rectangular selection and you can set a size or a aspect ratio.

   

Adobe Community ExpertAdobe Certified Professional
Leslie Moak Murray
Community Expert
Community Expert
August 2, 2023

Use the Rectangle Tool.

pixxxelschubser
Community Expert
Community Expert
August 2, 2023

Just to be sure:

You know that the selection slightly moves to the next whole pixel?

MarekMularczyk
Community Expert
Community Expert
August 2, 2023

If you're trying to make a selection, which is rectangula, you can use Polygon Lasso tool, which creates straight lines.

  

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Stephen Marsh
Community Expert
Community Expert
August 2, 2023

If you can press 'q' to enter quickmask mode, then the selection will be a temporary alpha channel, which later pressing 'q' again will return to a selection (I can't test with a pen/tablet so YMMV).