Selecting a region is an inevitable part when editing image in GIMP. While you can use selection tools like Ellipse Select Tool and Rectangle Select Tool to select an image region with an definite shape, Free Select Tool allows you to select a region on an image with free shape you want. Some users also call Free Select Tool as Lasso Tool.

Since Free Select Tool gives you a freedom to create the shape of the selection yourself, you can use it to select a region that can’t be selected using selection tools like Ellipse Select Tool and Rectangle Select Tool. With Free Select Tool, you can create a more accurate selection compared to Ellipse Select Tool and Rectangle Select Tool.

The use of Free Select Tool itself is not different to other selection tools, including Ellipse Select Tool and Rectangle Select Tool. It is used to protect the region outside the selection region from being impacted by a certain action.

To use Free Select Tool, you can click any spot within your image as a start point and click another points until you get the selection shape you want and press the enter key on keyboard to activate the selection. Each anchor point will change color briefly as you click. When you reach the first point again, and hover over it, the first anchor point will change color. Active selection is marked with marching ants.

How to use Free Select Tool in GIMP

• Launch GIMP and open an image.
• Click the Free Select Tool icon on the Toolbox to activate it. Or you can also use the shortcut by pressing the F key on keyboard.

• Click a spot within your image as a start point. Click another points until you get the selection shape you want and press the enter key on keyboard to activate the selection.

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