The Free Select Tool in GIMP is also often referred to as the lasso tool and is a very easy and intuitive way to make selections.
By using GIMP selection tools, like the Free Select Tool, you can make changes to specific pixels within an image without having any effect on immediately surrounding pixels.
The Free Select Tool in GIMP can be used in two different ways and both methods can be used in the production of a single selection.
The first way is to click and place individual nodes, with each pair of nodes automatically joined by straight lines. The second method is to click and hold and then use your mouse to draw a selection free hand. As mentioned, you can combine both these techniques to produce a selection consisting of straight edges and free flowing edges.
There are very few settings available in the Tool Options dialog in comparison to other selection tools, making it very simple to use.
Mode
Many users only ever use the default setting of Replace the current selection when using GIMP selection tools, but using the other Mode settings can allow the Free Select Tool to be used to build up more complex selections and also remove parts of a selection that may have been added by mistake.
The other Free Select Tool options are Add to the current selection, Subtract from the current selection and Intersect with the current selection. All have quite self-explanatory names, but just spending a few moments experimenting them will make the different possibilities very clear.
Antialiasing
This makes the edges of selections made with the Free Select Tool appear smoother and more natural. If you fill selections with and without this with a solid color and then zoom in, you will see how edges appear more 'blocky' without this turned on.
Feather Edges
This can be used to make selection edges appear very smooth, giving the edges the appearance of a gradient that blends into surrounding pixels. When the checkbox is checked, a slider appears that allows you to select how much feathering you want. You may find you need to experiment with this setting until you get the desired results.
The Free Select Tool in GIMP can be a very quick and easy way to produce non-uniform selections without the complexity of using the Paths Tool and then converting the path to a selection.
