Probably not new for Many but just incase someone doesn't know I will add it.

I have often been in a disappointed state because I have lost my path as I am making it. (Ok if I just start, NOT ok if nearly finished)
I select edges of photos by using the path tool and not the selection tool as I find it is better. Anyway I was almost finished a selection today and the path design disappeared on me. (I have noticed in the past you can click on paths to make them visible or invisible - the ones made in your most recent session.) So I tried something different - for me.
I clicked on the paths tab and made my path visible. In the tool options, clicked on edit and wollah all my anchors came back! I then clicked on design again before continuing with it.

One of the reasons I don't use the select tool is because I haven't worked out how to get it back if I lose it. And it turns off a lot more easy than path anchors I have found.

Useful information sallyanne and you are right - it's a good idea using paths for this rather than selection.

A path does not disappear.
When you switch to a different tool, the nodes become invisible, but the path is still present in the paths tab and can be turned visible from there by clicking the eye icon.


You can save selections in a channel or convert to a path.
Both methods have their uses.
To save an active selection into a channel, got to Selection -> Save to channel.
A new channel is created in the channel's tab. You can call up the selection from the newly created channel.

If you want to select your whole canvas, you can use CTRL + A, and everything will be selected.
This selection can be edited with the Rectangular Selection Tool, by clicking inside the selection and the handles for resizing will appear.

Konstantin, I have only recently learnt about saving to channels, I knew about saving to paths, which I would only do for a finished selection. I still haven't worked out how to use the selection editor. How do I get an unfinished selection back if it hasn't been saved and I have clicked on the canvas or another tool?

I see the path tool more as a design tool. Its good for making shapes and getting a nice stroke.
Of course you can also use a path for saving a selection.


Im not sure what you mean with "unfinished selection".
A selection is active a long as you dont deselect it. If you want to come back later to a selection and refine it, save it as a path or in a channel.
Once you deselect, its gone. The only way to get it back is by Undo-ing.

I dont use the Selection Editor, its more like a toolbar that gives you shortcut buttons in a unified menu.

All the selection tools have options for adding, subtracting and intersecting.
These operations can also be performed from a channel (right-click menu).

You can also refine selections with the quickmask and painting tools which is more intuitive.
A similar technique is applying a rough selection as a layermask and then refining the selection by painting on the layermask (white reveals, black conceals).

Generally speaking you have lot of options for making and refining selections but the technique depends on the subject.

Thank you

Finished selection = Closed
Unfinished = unclosed

I find that it is easy to lose a selection by clicking on another tool or even the canvas, which is quite annoying when you are selecting a foreground to change the background and you are almost finished.

I wonder why you change to a different tool while you are making a selection...

In case you are using the rectangle or elliptical selection tool, just click inside the selection and the handles will disapear, but the marching ants are there to stay.
So even if you change to a different tool, the selection does not go away.

Or are we talking about the Lasso Tool ?
Lets say you make a selection but you havent got around completely and for some reason you want to change the tool.
Well, close it anyway (or press enter), the marching ants appear, then do what you want to do with the other tool, then set the Lasso Tool's mode to "Add" and continue making the selection !

Or, if you want to edit something outside the selection, save it to a channel, deselect.
Edit your image with whatever tool you like, go to the channels tab and call up the stored selection.
Then continue working with any Selection Tool in "Add" mode.