Photoshop Lasso Tools

The lasso tools allow you to select precise areas of an image by drawing or tracing the selection outline. There are three lasso tools available:

Lasso Tool

This is a freehand selection tool. Click and hold your left mouse button on the image and draw your selection.

Polygonal Lasso Tool

Similar to the lasso tool, except that instead of holding your mouse button down to draw, left-click on various points to create a selection with a series of straight edges.

You can also hold down the Alt key (Windows) or Option key (Mac OS) to draw freehand sections.

Magnetic Lasso Tool

This is a very handy tool for selecting areas which have reasonably well-defined edges. Left-click at the starting point of your selection and simply move the mouse along the edge.

"Fastening points" are automatically made at various points along the edges. Left-click at any time to add a fastening point manually.

To Complete a Selection

To finish drawing a selection, either click on the selection starting point or double-click anywhere.