How to Zoom In/Scroll While Selecting in PS Elements?

[Renee Neary]

Wow, this forum is dangerous. In a few short months I've managed to buy a new computer, a new printer, a new camera, Photoshop elements 2 and now an Intuos2 graphics tablet.

My question is this. I'm using the tablet now and loving it. But I can't seem to figure out how to zoom in/scroll while making a selection, without messing up the selection before it's complete. If I scale the pic to fit the screen, I can't get in close enough to make an accurate selection. But if I try to zoom in to an acceptable range while in selection mode, my cursor jumps and the selection is ruined. Similarly, if I start out in a zoomed mode and then start to make my selection, I need to scroll around the image finish making the selection. I cannot figure out how to do this without making the cursor jump and wrecking the selection. I ended up just using the Selection Brush to put the finishing touches on a rough selection because I have the ability to pick up the mouse/pen from the tablet without making the cursor jump. I had the same problem using the mouse on a mousepad.

What I would like to do is figure out a solution to this problem when using the pen on the tablet, maybe even programming one of the buttons on the pen. Can anyone help?

Thanks to all.

Renee

 

[Greg Anzalone]

Press the space bar - The cursor will turn into the hand icon, and you can move the image around. When you are done, let go of the space bar.

Wow, this forum is dangerous. In a few short months I've managed
to buy a new computer, a new printer, a new camera, Photoshop
elements 2 and now an Intuos2 graphics tablet.

My question is this. I'm using the tablet now and loving it. But
I can't seem to figure out how to zoom in/scroll while making a
selection, without messing up the selection before it's complete.
If I scale the pic to fit the screen, I can't get in close enough
to make an accurate selection. But if I try to zoom in to an
acceptable range while in selection mode, my cursor jumps and the
selection is ruined. Similarly, if I start out in a zoomed mode
and then start to make my selection, I need to scroll around the
image finish making the selection. I cannot figure out how to do
this without making the cursor jump and wrecking the selection. I
ended up just using the Selection Brush to put the finishing
touches on a rough selection because I have the ability to pick up
the mouse/pen from the tablet without making the cursor jump. I
had the same problem using the mouse on a mousepad.

What I would like to do is figure out a solution to this problem
when using the pen on the tablet, maybe even programming one of the
buttons on the pen. Can anyone help?

Thanks to all.

Renee

--
Greg Anzalone
http://www.greganzalone.com

 

[Renee Neary]

Thank you so much, Greg! I will try this tonight.

Wow, this forum is dangerous. In a few short months I've managed
to buy a new computer, a new printer, a new camera, Photoshop
elements 2 and now an Intuos2 graphics tablet.

My question is this. I'm using the tablet now and loving it. But
I can't seem to figure out how to zoom in/scroll while making a
selection, without messing up the selection before it's complete.
If I scale the pic to fit the screen, I can't get in close enough
to make an accurate selection. But if I try to zoom in to an
acceptable range while in selection mode, my cursor jumps and the
selection is ruined. Similarly, if I start out in a zoomed mode
and then start to make my selection, I need to scroll around the
image finish making the selection. I cannot figure out how to do
this without making the cursor jump and wrecking the selection. I
ended up just using the Selection Brush to put the finishing
touches on a rough selection because I have the ability to pick up
the mouse/pen from the tablet without making the cursor jump. I
had the same problem using the mouse on a mousepad.

What I would like to do is figure out a solution to this problem
when using the pen on the tablet, maybe even programming one of the
buttons on the pen. Can anyone help?

Thanks to all.

Renee

--
Greg Anzalone
http://www.greganzalone.com

 

[frank perry]

As for changing the zoom setting during selection,I just complete the selection by selecting back to the beginning , then change the zoom setting and return to where you left off. Make sure you have "add to selection" selected.( I have just noticed you have Elements,I am working in PS6 but I dont think it will matter)

Wow, this forum is dangerous. In a few short months I've managed
to buy a new computer, a new printer, a new camera, Photoshop
elements 2 and now an Intuos2 graphics tablet.

My question is this. I'm using the tablet now and loving it. But
I can't seem to figure out how to zoom in/scroll while making a
selection, without messing up the selection before it's complete.
If I scale the pic to fit the screen, I can't get in close enough
to make an accurate selection. But if I try to zoom in to an
acceptable range while in selection mode, my cursor jumps and the
selection is ruined. Similarly, if I start out in a zoomed mode
and then start to make my selection, I need to scroll around the
image finish making the selection. I cannot figure out how to do
this without making the cursor jump and wrecking the selection. I
ended up just using the Selection Brush to put the finishing
touches on a rough selection because I have the ability to pick up
the mouse/pen from the tablet without making the cursor jump. I
had the same problem using the mouse on a mousepad.

What I would like to do is figure out a solution to this problem
when using the pen on the tablet, maybe even programming one of the
buttons on the pen. Can anyone help?

Thanks to all.

Renee

--
Frank Perry

 

[Kent C]

Renee

All solutions good. Sometimes I'll do just the opposite of Frank, by making a sloppy selection in 'fit the page' mode, then go to actual pixels or zoom and use the lasso with subtract setting.
--
Kent
http://www.pbase.com/kentc

 

[frank perry]

Good Idea Kent,I will try that next time. The great thing about PS there is always many ways to do the job.

Renee

All solutions good. Sometimes I'll do just the opposite of Frank,
by making a sloppy selection in 'fit the page' mode, then go to
actual pixels or zoom and use the lasso with subtract setting.
--
Kent
http://www.pbase.com/kentc

--
Frank Perry

 

[Kent C]

Good Idea Kent,I will try that next time. The great thing about PS
there is always many ways to do the job.

Thanks, and yes, many ways. What I like about the subtract method is, esp. with the wacom pen, you can start your 'cut' outside of the selection, I do it in an arc, and by the time I get close to the edge I'm trying to make, I have some control over the pen. Sometimes you don't even have to complete the circle, I think because it's outside the selection anyway. And there's no 'maintaining the selection' with the space bar. Once I'm done making cuts I might use the space bar or scroll, but I don't have to keep holding the pen to the tablet - also almost always use the subtact icon instead of the alt/option key.
--
Kent
http://www.pbase.com/kentc

 

[Renee Neary]

Everyone, thanks for these comments. What I really wanted to do was make an accurate selection at first pass, but I see now that it's not that important. It's also nice not having to fiddle with holding down another key while making the selection.

By the way, I found a tutorial by Jay Arraich that describes how to create a selection in Elements using simulated alpha channels. It allows you to create an extremely accurate selection without using any of the selection tools. In addition, the selection can be reloaded and used again. It can be found at http://www.arraich.com/elements/pse_mmask1.htm

Best regards,
Renee

Wow, this forum is dangerous. In a few short months I've managed
to buy a new computer, a new printer, a new camera, Photoshop
elements 2 and now an Intuos2 graphics tablet.

My question is this. I'm using the tablet now and loving it. But
I can't seem to figure out how to zoom in/scroll while making a
selection, without messing up the selection before it's complete.
If I scale the pic to fit the screen, I can't get in close enough
to make an accurate selection. But if I try to zoom in to an
acceptable range while in selection mode, my cursor jumps and the
selection is ruined. Similarly, if I start out in a zoomed mode
and then start to make my selection, I need to scroll around the
image finish making the selection. I cannot figure out how to do
this without making the cursor jump and wrecking the selection. I
ended up just using the Selection Brush to put the finishing
touches on a rough selection because I have the ability to pick up
the mouse/pen from the tablet without making the cursor jump. I
had the same problem using the mouse on a mousepad.

What I would like to do is figure out a solution to this problem
when using the pen on the tablet, maybe even programming one of the
buttons on the pen. Can anyone help?

Thanks to all.

Renee

 

[dfukuda]

I don't have elements, just photoshop. Is there a navigator tab/window available in elements? In photoshop, I just use the slider to resize (or put in new zoom value) - it works for me while making selections.

By the way, I found a tutorial by Jay Arraich that describes how to
create a selection in Elements using simulated alpha channels. It
allows you to create an extremely accurate selection without using
any of the selection tools. In addition, the selection can be
reloaded and used again. It can be found at
http://www.arraich.com/elements/pse_mmask1.htm

Best regards,
Renee

Wow, this forum is dangerous. In a few short months I've managed
to buy a new computer, a new printer, a new camera, Photoshop
elements 2 and now an Intuos2 graphics tablet.

My question is this. I'm using the tablet now and loving it. But
I can't seem to figure out how to zoom in/scroll while making a
selection, without messing up the selection before it's complete.
If I scale the pic to fit the screen, I can't get in close enough
to make an accurate selection. But if I try to zoom in to an
acceptable range while in selection mode, my cursor jumps and the
selection is ruined. Similarly, if I start out in a zoomed mode
and then start to make my selection, I need to scroll around the
image finish making the selection. I cannot figure out how to do
this without making the cursor jump and wrecking the selection. I
ended up just using the Selection Brush to put the finishing
touches on a rough selection because I have the ability to pick up
the mouse/pen from the tablet without making the cursor jump. I
had the same problem using the mouse on a mousepad.

What I would like to do is figure out a solution to this problem
when using the pen on the tablet, maybe even programming one of the
buttons on the pen. Can anyone help?

Thanks to all.

Renee

 

[Kent C]

Everyone, thanks for these comments. What I really wanted to do
was make an accurate selection at first pass, but I see now that
it's not that important. It's also nice not having to fiddle with
holding down another key while making the selection.

By the way, I found a tutorial by Jay Arraich that describes how to
create a selection in Elements using simulated alpha channels. It
allows you to create an extremely accurate selection without using
any of the selection tools. In addition, the selection can be
reloaded and used again. It can be found at
http://www.arraich.com/elements/pse_mmask1.htm

Good tutorial and just shows that there are many ways to do things. I'd point out one still has to select the edge carefully no matter what method. Here if you make a mistake you have to change colors and you have to, or it is suggested, that you use different size brushes. I find using the one lasso tool easier in that respect and once the selection is made one can save it out to be used again as well.

--
Kent
http://www.pbase.com/kentc