Graphics Programs Reference
In-Depth Information
Width tells the tool how far to look when it's trying to find an edge. This value is in
pixels; you can set it as high as 256.
Contrast controls how sharp a difference the Magnetic Lasso should look for between
the object's outline and its background. A higher number makes Elements look for sharp-
er contrasts, and a lower number makes it look for softer ones.
Frequency controls how often Elements puts down anchor points ( Figure 5-14 ).
Use tablet pressure to change pen width —the little icon of a pen tip to the right of the
other Tool Options settings—works only if you have a graphics tablet ( Graphics Tablets ) .
When you turn this setting on, how hard you press with the stylus controls how Elements
searches for the edge of objects you're trying to select: When you bear down harder, it's
more precise (in other words, it doesn't look as far); when you press more lightly, you
can be a bit sloppier, and Elements will still find the edge.
Many people live full and satisfying lives paying no attention whatsoever to these settings,
so don't feel that you have to fuss with them. You can usually ignore them unless the Mag-
netic Lasso misbehaves.
TIP
You get better results with the Magnetic Lasso if you go more slowly than if you speed
around an object. Like most people, the Magnetic Lasso does better work if you give it
time to be sure where it's going.
The Polygonal Lasso
At first, this may seem like a totally useless tool. It works something like the Magnetic Lasso
in that it puts down anchor points (though you have to click each time you want it to add one
and you don't see the boxes for each point like you do with the Magnetic lasso [see Fig-
ure 5-14 ]), but it creates only perfectly straight line segments. So you may think, “That's
great if I want to select a stop sign, but otherwise, what's the point?”
Actually, if you're one of those people who just plain can't draw, and you even have a hard
time following the edge of an object onscreen, this is the tool for you. The trick is to move
your cursor very short distances between clicks. Figure 5-15 shows the Polygonal Lasso in
action.
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