Copy link to clipboard
Copied
In the bast day, the polygonal lasso tool has become almost unusable. It often lags between points and then refused to close off. As I rely on it for almost everything I do it has become a majot nuisance. It did this briefly about a year ago on another computer but this is the first time it's done it on this one. The only thing that fixes it is to restart PhotoShop, but I cannot keep doing this every 5 minutes. Can anyone help me with this? I am running CS6 on Windows 10. Graphics acceleration is unchecked.
Copy link to clipboard
Copied
What have you done for all-purpose trouble-shooting so far?
Restoring Preferences after making sure all customized presets like Actions, Patterns, Brushes etc. have been saved might be a good starting point:
https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/using/preferences.html
https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/kb/basic-trouble-shooting-steps.html
What have you done about Photoshop performance?
https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/kb/optimize-photoshop-cc-performance.html
https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/using/scratch-disks-preferences.html
Copy link to clipboard
Copied
Thanks for replying. I have reset all the tools a few times and I have checked 'use graphics processor', changed the drawing mode to 'basic' and I even resinstalled PhotoShop. Nothing helps. The polygonal lasso tool works as it should for about half an hour after opening PhotoShop and then starts breaking as described again. However, it will close off properly if I hit enter instead of double-clicking the mouse though it is still slow.
I seem to recall it did this on my other laptop about a year ago and fixed itself (somehow) after a week or so. I'm hoping the same happens here because I can't seem to do anything.
Copy link to clipboard
Copied
If the issue persists you may want to consider using the Pen Tool instead of the Polygonal Lasso Tool.
Copy link to clipboard
Copied
I use the polygonal lasso tool to delete the bloomed edges off of traditional artwork. Can the pen tool do this? I tried but could not see how.
Copy link to clipboard
Copied
It can do better – it can be used to create Vector Masks.
And if the Masks need to have uneven sharpness then one can always use »Make Selection« to create a Selection from the Path and edit that, respectively the Layer Mask, accordingly.
Copy link to clipboard
Copied
I basically use the lasso tool to highlight an area and then delete it. Mainly for straight or angled lines. I use the eraser for everything else.
Copy link to clipboard
Copied
If you are clipping objects/persons/… why are you not using Layer Masks?
Your apporach seems needlessly destructive.
Copy link to clipboard
Copied
I use the eraser to get rid of any area around the character or object, if I want it to be transparent and smooth edged. The lasso tool helps a lot with straight edged objects like comic panels or square-type shapes.
Copy link to clipboard
Copied
Again: Your workflow is destructive.
In my opinion you should rethink it to avoid unnecessarily damaging your image content – Layer Masks, Vector Masks, Adjustment Layers, Smart Objects – are you using any of those at current?
Copy link to clipboard
Copied
No none of those, sorry. The only thing I want to destroy really is stuff I'm deleting because I don't need it.
Copy link to clipboard
Copied
However is does sound like layer maks could be useful for some other things so thanks for that.
Copy link to clipboard
Copied
Well, I for one occassionally make mistakes … if I notice them later on I like being able to correct them.
Therefore erasing and deleting are pretty much non-starters when editing images (though there are some exceptions).
As you mentioned comic panels: If you create comic pages in Photoshop I want to again recommend using Vector Masks.
Copy link to clipboard
Copied
Thanks for the tips. I'm going to look into a few of these. I tend to save a few versions of stuff just to make sure there are no mistakes. The comic panel lines I have no problem with for digitally frames ones, it's only the traditional ones where I just want to get rid of little bits of dust on the paper or erase wee notes etc. I'll get by one way or another!
Copy link to clipboard
Copied
If you can achieve what you want/need to achieve then your technique is definitely not wrong, it might just be possible that there are more convenient or efficient approaches.
Of course learning about them is in itself work and whether it would be worth the effort is for you to judge.
Would you mind posting a screenshot including the Layers Panel of one of your edited files, just to get a general idea of your work?