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I'm using the "lasso" selection tool by holding Ctrl and dragging the left mouse button in edit mode in order to select a group of vertices inside the selected area. However, my mouse hand isn't very good at drawing straight lines, and I keep selecting vertices that I don't want. I can select like the top shape, but need to select in straight lines like the bottom shape:

enter image description here

Is there such a thing as a "straight lasso" select tool, instead of the freehand one? I've tried using the B keyboard shortcut to select in a square, but I need to be able to draw my own polygonal shape.

M -
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  • As far as I know there is nothing beyond Border Select (Bkey by default) – Duarte Farrajota Ramos Nov 30 '16 at 00:56
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    Have you tried the C button? Press C button, then hold LMB and drag the cursor to select the desired vertices. – Paul Gonet Nov 30 '16 at 01:15
  • @PaulGonet, that's a very helpful tool, thanks! It definitely helps in those narrow areas. Also discovered that + key makes the selection larger, and middle button deselects the painted vertices. – M - Nov 30 '16 at 01:24
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    @Marco Del Valle Instead of using the + button you may just scroll the Mouse Wheel. BTW Is this the tool you're looking for? – Paul Gonet Nov 30 '16 at 01:28
  • @PaulGonet that also works. It's not exactly the tool that I was looking for, as I was looking for a tool that would let you make selections in straight lines, instead of hand-drawing, but this one definitely helps. – M - Nov 30 '16 at 01:30
  • While box select doesn't give you diagonal selection lines, you could try doing it in multiple steps which will keep adding more to the existing selection - B-drag B-drag B-drag - if you have one hand on mouse and one on keyboard it is quick enough. Also middle mouse deselects same as circle select. – sambler Nov 30 '16 at 05:43
  • The only possible way for you is a bit tricky, and inefficient. but works: 1. Ctrl + LMB click continuously to create lines. 2. select all lines then press F to fill it as a polygon. 3. Make sure the new polygon is on top of all elements based on your view, and the Limit Selection button is disabled on header, then use B tool to select all visible verts, then invert the selection. Now you should get the expected selection. Finally you may want to delete that polygon. – Leon Cheung Nov 30 '16 at 06:11
  • You could also roll the viewport, after that all the lines you draw with Lasso tool will be angular relatively to the usual view. That is, Lasso doesn't handle straight lines, unfortunately. – Mr Zak Nov 30 '16 at 10:08
  • @LeonCheung HAHA! That's a clever approach, but as you said, not very efficient. – M - Nov 30 '16 at 17:41
  • Yep. Oops, seems I make a typo: Disabled means Enabled. :P – Leon Cheung Dec 01 '16 at 04:21

1 Answers1

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There is no polygon select tool in Blender (yet) but you can hold down CTRL after your first selection and Blender will create a path to the next vertex you right click. There are some settings in the Tool panel to adjust it's behavior. If your selection path is closed you can press H to hide, which then enables you to L link select the island. ALTH and you get the whole gang. A bit of a work around but can be handy.

enter image description here

Patdog
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  • For selecting what is inside of loopcut use Select Loop Inner Region to skip hiding. – Mr Zak Dec 01 '16 at 21:21
  • Yep - that works sometimes...but had some weird results with it also... – Patdog Dec 01 '16 at 21:57
  • Thanks! Very useful. Still not quite the same as a straight lasso, since it needs edges connecting the vertices for it to work, but it's the closest solution I've seen so far! – M - Dec 05 '16 at 19:13