mouse question

[fiver49]

This may be in the wrong fourm, but it seems as good as any to me. This is my first post, so bear with me.
I am relatively new to PSE (a few weeks). I have found that my current mouse is completely worthless for precise selections.
Are there any suggestions for a new/different mouse before I go out and spend money on one?
I am currently using a logitec wireless optical mouse. It works fine for most other windows applications, but for anything precise, no way!
Thanks in advance!!!

AB

[ladybug]

welcome to the forum. I think that a lot of people here use what is called a tablet for precise works but i am not real sure. I know some one will come along and give you more details than i can.

[Wendy]

Hi AB ...

... and welcome to the froum :)

It may not be your mouse ... using a mouse for things like selecting an area does take a bit of practice but it gets easier after a while. A tablet makes it quite a bit easier to make selections but once again that takes practice too ...

Wendy

[cats4jan]

I have a track ball mouse - the mouse sits still while I maneuver with my finger. But that takes practice, too. Precise selection with the mouse just takes time to learn. I also have an ergonomic keyboard - which looks like it's got a giant split in the center. It took about two weeks for me to get used to it - but now I can't type on a regular keyboard.

[echoblue]

I'm using a left-handed optical mouse (with the buttons reversed by default) with a supposedly ergonomic design, but after about a year of use, selections still give me trouble. It does take a lot of concentration and Ctrl+Z's (not to mention cursing, LOL). :p

I've tried various mice over the years, but as for precise selections I haven't seen any dramatic difference. It doesn't matter how ergonomic they are - as it has already been said, the key is practice and patience.

[pixlbandit]

Personally, I can't use a mouse for anything precise--too much like trying to push a rock through sand. For me, a tablet is the only choice. Treat the pen like a regular pen or pencil where most of the movement comes from the elbow or shoulder and not the fingers and wrist.
Vicki

[douglas m scott]

AB,
It is most helpful when making a selection to Zoom in to 100% resolution. You might need to use more than one Selection tool to achieve a good selection. Perhaps one of the Lasso Tools, then finish with the Selection Brush (stacked with the Magic Extractor Brush) Use the "[" to decrease size of Brush "]" to increase size of Brush. There is also the option to -Add to Selection- Subtract from Selectin
When you get near the edge of picture while using Lasso Tool, you can hold down the Space Bar to reposition picture then continue with Selection.
doug

[vawitt]

Hi AB (and welcome)

To add to the excellent replies already received:

Make sure if you are using a mechanical mouse that the ball is nice and clean. With either mouse type, make sure you are on a clean surface (my work area seems to attract Frito crumbs...hmmmmm :cool:)

Finally, as Doug suggested, allow yourself permission to use more than one tool to select...AND to make more than one pass at selecting. When I first learned I could add to my selection, or subtract from it, I had a HUGE "lightbulb" moment.

Good luck!

[fiver49]

Thanks for all of the great suggestions. It sounds like it is a "me" problem rather than a hardware problem. I might try a new mousing surface too. Or... go with a tablet for photos and the like.
If I were to go with a tablet, is there an easy way to switch between a mouse and the tablet? I dont know that I could get used to using a tablet with other computer uses (for example... games. I know, I should be working on photos, but I just love playing some PC games!:))

Thanks again. I will look into a tablet and/or try a new mousing surface. The optical mouse I have never seemed to work real well with this surface (the black desk doesnt help either)!

[douglas m scott]

AB,
I have a Wacom Graphire 4x5 it plugs in via USB. As long as you don't leave the pen laying on the tablet you can switch back and forth between the mouse and tablet. Amazon has them bundled with PSE3 and nik Color Efex Pro 2 GE (some nice plug-ins), $86.00 for the Blue.

doug

[Wendy]

Hi ...

If you do decide to get a tablet then see if you can do a try before you buy ... Wacom used to do that but I am not sure if they still do :)

Wendy

[Karin Sue]

You can try going into the control panel and changing the settings on your mouse. You might find something other than the default works best for you when using PSE.

[BillandCat]

I use a mac and the laser mouse. I find the secret for me, is to cean the mouse AND the pad. I use an alcohol swab and cleanex once a day. Also, zoom in when you make your selections. Like every thing else, it just takes practise. BillandCat

[fiver49]

Ill definitely try cleaning the optical thingy on the the mouse. that might make a difference...
Of course, ill also try all of the other suggestions. ;)

[ljameso1]

I did get really good at mousing selections but the kind of complex selections I do led to finger/wrist cramps. I find a pen and tablet easier, faster, and much more comfortable.:)

[elizabeth]

AB,
I have a Wacom Graphire 4x5 it plugs in via USB. As long as you don't leave the pen laying on the tablet you can switch back and forth between the mouse and tablet.

doug

Hi. I posted this question on a stand-alone thread before i saw this one, but thought i would post here too. Doug, I am having trouble with my new Graphire 4x5. I can switch back and forth between the tablet mouse and the tablet pen for many tools - but not for most brush tools (brush, clone stamp, burn tool, eraser, etc). It seems like it only lets me use the pen. when i use the mouse it indicates that the action happened in the 'undo history' but doesn't actually do anything on the image. I have to switch to the pen to make it do brush stuff.

Does anyone know if i can change some setting or something so i can chose between the mouse and the pen for 'brush' tools.

thanks. elizabeth

[mhm45]

I have just bought a new computer and decided to upgrade to PE6 at the same time. I am finding my way around but the most frustrating thing for me at the moment is that I can no longer use the wheel on the mouse to zoom in and out. I have to press Z then right click to choose whether to zoom in or out. This is awful! In PE5 I would just click on a photo and roll the wheel backwards or forwards depending on what I wanted to do.
Is this a mouse problem (should I get a Vista mouse as my last OR was XP)?
Is it a PE6 problem?
Is it a computer problem?

[Karin Sue]

Have you tried going into the Mouse control panel? It's been awhile since I installed a mouse but it seems to me you could define actions for the buttons and wheel.

If it is the same mouse as you had on your last system did you install the software that came with it on your new Vista PC? And check online for updates?

You might want to see if the mouse manufacturer has a forum where you could ask about vista compatability.