You don't actually 'delete' the Lasso Tool itself in Procreate, as it's a core function of the app. Instead, the Lasso Tool (officially known as the Selection Tool) is used to select areas of your artwork so you can then delete or manipulate that specific portion or the area around it.
Here's how to use the Lasso (Selection) Tool to remove parts of your canvas:
Using the Lasso Tool for Selection
The Lasso Tool provides a flexible way to select areas freehand. You simply draw around the part of the image you want to isolate.
- Accessing the Tool: Tap the 'S' icon in the top left menu bar (it looks like a wavy ribbon or an 'S').
- Mode: Ensure 'Freehand' is selected at the bottom of the screen for the Lasso style.
Deleting the Background After Selecting an Object (Method from Reference)
One common use is to select a subject and then remove everything else (the background). This method is described in the reference provided.
Step-by-Step Guide:
- Activate Selection: Tap the 'S' icon to open the Selection menu.
- Choose Freehand: Make sure 'Freehand' is selected at the bottom.
- Trace Your Object: Use your Apple Pencil or finger to carefully draw around the object you want to keep. A moving dashed line will appear as you draw. When you lift your pencil/finger, the selection will close. The area outside the selection will be slightly darker, indicating the background.
- Switch to Eraser: Tap the Eraser tool icon (the pink eraser) in the top right menu bar.
- Erase the Background: Now, draw or scribble over the background area. The selection boundary will prevent you from erasing your selected object. As mentioned in a reference, you do this by selecting the lasso tool, tracing around the object (then for the tedious part), going to the eraser tool and making it as large as possible to quickly clear the background. This can be tedious if the background is large.
Deleting the Selected Area Directly (Alternative Method)
If you want to remove the specific area you drew the lasso around, rather than the background, follow these steps:
Step-by-Step Guide:
- Activate Selection: Tap the 'S' icon.
- Choose Freehand: Ensure 'Freehand' is selected.
- Trace the Area to Delete: Draw around the specific part of the image you want to remove. The area inside the dashed line is your selection.
- Clear the Selection: With the selection active, simply tap the 'Clear' button in the bottom bar of the Selection menu. This instantly deletes everything within the dashed selection boundary.
Summary of Methods
| Method | What You Select | What Gets Deleted | Process | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Erase Background | The object you want to keep | The area outside selection | Select object, then use Eraser on background | Can be time-consuming for large backgrounds |
| Clear Selection | The area you want to delete | The area inside selection | Select area to delete, then tap 'Clear' | Quick and efficient for removing specific parts |
By understanding that the Lasso Tool is for selecting, you can use it effectively with other tools like the Eraser or the 'Clear' function to modify your artwork in Procreate.
