Selection Types

[Igull]

I came across what for me is an annoying issue today. Needing to select some odd-shaped internal parts, I immediately went for Q - the Lasso Tool - (my current tool was V - the transform tool) which did indeed do what it was supposed to do, but, continued on it's merry way attached to all the other tools I used, so I always got a lasso type selection and not a regular box selection.
Looking into this, it appears that they are not TOOLS at all, but merely tool modifiers - a selection TYPE. So, when you hit V (transform tool) to select something else or move something, you end up with whatever selection TYPE that was last attached to that tool

To me at least, this just makes for more work, because I then have to either have the selection types showing in the toolbox (I'm a minimalist, so there are only a few tools in my box that I need access to) or create a keyboard shortcut for each selection TYPE.
So, when switching, I have to hit V then some other selection TYPE key (I use B for now as I don't use the brush) rather than just choosing the correct TOOL with a single keystroke (or single click in the toolbox if that's your thing).

Further, there's no visual key to show what the current selection type is (ie a small lasso as the tool icon).

My suggestion is to have these TYPES changed (or as well as - with some method to change them - a preference perhaps) to real tools rather than as a selection modifier type.

/rant

Neil

[b77]

@Igull There is a temporary switch from the "normal" box selection mode to Lasso mode if you press Option before dragging to select. Does that help?

[VectorStyler]

@Igull said in Selection Types:

it appears that they are not TOOLS at all, but merely tool modifiers - a selection TYPE

Yes, they are attached to the current tool, and they do not deactivate the current tool.

It is required that the box selection mode is activated after the lasso is not used. Maybe this should also have a shortcut?

BTW: while using the box selection mode, pressing alt (first) and then dragging for selection will temporarily switch to the lasso tool.

[Igull]

@VectorStyler said in Selection Types:

BTW: while using the box selection mode, pressing alt (first) and then dragging for selection will temporarily switch to the lasso tool.

Ah, I didn't see that !!
Problem solved then, this is actually better than having a separate lasso tool - nice idea ! No point now in having a keyboard shortcut Q

I still do think that there should always be some kind of visual cue via the cursor to indicate to the user that something is actually happening - there are a number of areas where this isn't the case.

Thanks a lot for that, case closed

Neil

[Igull]

@b77 said in Selection Types:

@Igull There is a temporary switch from the "normal" box selection mode to Lasso mode if you press Option before dragging to select. Does that help?

It certainly does
This is actually better I think than having a separate lasso tool - nice idea ! No point now in having a keyboard shortcut Q

Thanks

Neil