Problem using the Lasso tool

Hi,

I’m have problems when using the lasso tool, in the beginning I am able to use SHIFT key to add to selection and ALT key to subtract from it. However, at some point, presumably because I unknowingly press a combination of these two keys with perhaps another key, the ALT key changes behavior - the cursor changes from the "lasso minus" to "duplicate selection - two small arrows”. Afterwards, I am unable to use shortcuts to subtract from selection and must use the options menu.

Can someone please tell me what is going on and how to switch back to the default lasso behavior when this happens?

Thank you much,
~ludi

what version of Photoshop are you on?

click your selection tool then look at the top right of window just under File Edit Image Layer. Do you see any icons?

Hi Thee_DarkOverLord,

I am using v.9, Photoshop CS2.

When I select either the marquee or the lasso tool, yes, there are icons below the menu. The first is a tool preset drop down showing the selected tool, and next to it are the four basic options, New - Add - Subtract - Intersect, with the first one being selected by default.

When I hold the shift key, the selected option changes to the second one, and when I hold Alt - it changes to the third one.

However, if I by accident press shift before pressing alt, thus holding both keys trying to subtract from the selection, if I let both keys go without modifying the selected area the main menu becomes activated (the default alt key behavior). Afterwards, the alt key behavior is permanently changed to do "duplicate" instead of "subtract" - and the only way I know how to reset the tool is to restart photoshop.

Thank you,
ludi

or click the Icon that suites your need

Add - Subtract - Intersect,

Sorry cant help with the short cuts.

I have just noticed - when this happens, the default behavior for brush size and hardness shortcuts - [] and {} also stop functioning.

caps lock? or another program stealing your short cuts. are you running any IM programs?

Could you be pressing control at some point? That temporarily changes the tool to the move tool, and under this alt would duplicate.

Hi Don,

Yes, I am using shift and alt alternatively to modify selection and at some point cause this to happen.

The question is - how to reset the key's default behavior (that is, for alt to become subtract again, and other shortcuts such as [] for paintbrush to start working again).

Thanks!

edit:
oops, just realized you were asking about CTRL key. No, I am not using it, what I do to activate duplication is press and hold SHIFT, then add ALT key. That's all it takes. Do you know how to reset the default behavior of alt key?

Hi Thee_DarkOverLord,

Caps lock is it being pressed, and because everything happens with CS being in focus on the desktop (i.e. the behavior changes real time from working to non-working) IM or any other software does not have a role in it either, all CS shortcuts work just fine if I restart the program.