Editing or deleting one of several rectangle selections

[jbheadrick]

Hi,

Just started using GIMP, just found this forum, have a question I haven't been able to answer through my own research.

Let's say I use the Rectangle Select tool (in "Add to the current selection" mode) to select 10 different regions of my image.  Then let's say I want to change the size or delete rectangle selection #7.  How do I do this?

I know that I can use Select > None or do a Shift+Ctl+A to delete ALL of the rectangle selections, how do I edit or delete just ONE rectangle selection?

So, two questions:
   

1. How can I delete one of several selections without having to start over?
       
   
2. How can I edit a particular selection, such as changing its size?
   

   
Thanks for anyone's help.

JB

[Ofnuts]

You can reselect the rectangle in "substract selection" mode (or something bigger if it is isolated).

But you should give a shot at the "stitched pieces" technique described here.

[rich2005]

The second video here:

http://www.gimp-forum.net/Thread-Gimp-se...-beginners

but depending on complexity, a really easy way is using the quick mask facility and painting a selection out.

an example https://www.gimp.org/tutorials/Quickmask/

[Kevin]

The concept that you're missing is that there is only ever a single selection - you don't have multiple selections, just one selection spread over the image which may consist of isolated regions.

So as Ofnuts and rich2005 describe, you need to add-to or subtract-from your existing selection to get the shape you want.

[jbheadrick]

(02-27-2017, 09:06 AM)Kevin Wrote: The concept that you're missing is that there is only ever a single selection - you don't have multiple selections, just one selection spread over the image which may consist of isolated regions.

So as Ofnuts and rich2005 describe, you need to add-to or subtract-from your existing selection to get the shape you want.

Thanks for everyone's replies!  I tried the technique of selecting "Subtract from the current selection" and then selecting an overlaying rectangle that is bigger than the one I want to remove.  This worked fine, the underlying selection was removed.

After viewing all of the material, my take-away is that there is no way to select one of the isolated regions of selection and then modify it as if it was just created.  When I first create an area of selection, I can stretch/shrink it in all directions.  It doesn't sound like, after I create my 10 regions of selection, that I can pick one of them and edit it as if it was just created.

It sounds like I would need to first delete it (via the above subtract technique) and then re-create it anew, which would allow me to re-size it to the size I want.  This would be fine, it would be much better than deleting all of them and starting over.

Please let me know if my understanding is correct.

Thanks again.

JB

[rich2005]

Quote:...t doesn't sound like, after I create my 10 regions of selection, that I can pick one of them and edit it as if it was just created...

Maybe you need to start looking at something more advanced such as saving individual selections to channels. https://docs.gimp.org/en/gimp-selection-to-channel.html 

Slows the workflow down but at least you can go back and add/remove a selection as required.

   

Once in the channel dock and restored a selection remember to go back to layers and activate the layer you are working on.  Always save your work as a Gimp .xcf file and layers + any selections / paths / guides etc are saved with the file.

[Espermaschine]

Working with the quickmask may also be an option.
Lets say you made several selections in add mode, now hit Shift + Q.
The marching ants disappear, instead you get a red overlay that you can paint on with white to add to the selection and paint with black to subtract.

[Ofnuts]

You can also use the quick mask with other paint tools, and in particular make a selection with several rectangles by using the rectangle select, bucket-filling with white, the another rectangle select, and bucket-filling it with white, etc... When you leave the quick mask everything painted in white becomes the selection.