Best Selection Tool?

[DancingDodo]

Well, I use GIMP 2.6, and I'm still new to it, I'm trying to learn how to use it properly, since I suck at all this image-editing stuff.
So, I'm just trying to make a sig with a Reina pic, and well, whenever I use Free Selection Tool, the selection doesn't look very smooth. so, is there a better selection tool, and can someone teach me how to select properly?

[ggliff]

I don't really think there is a short-cut for selection and cutting out, not a good one anyway.

I use Photoshop, but the tools are pretty similar. I have tried all sorts of automatic ways, but to get a good selection/cut out none seem to work well.

So what I do is to put a layer mask on, select a soft brush at ~5 pixels size, then mask the bit you don't want by just working round the selection while zoomed in. Can take AGES, especially round Reina's hair! But guaranteed good results if you take your time.

[Dran]

Method I was taught by Liam was to cut your render out using whatever method you prefer (personally, I just add an alpha channel to the image and use the eraser to get rid of everything I don't want - makes the background transparent) and then when you add your render onto the background use the blur tool around the edges to soften it up a bit.

The hard part is resisting the urge to over-use the blur. XD

[ggliff]

The good thing about usigng a layer mask instead of an eraser is that you always have the image there, if you need to go back and change things. If you use an eraser, it is gone forever

[DancingDodo]

ah, okay, i'll try that. i hope i can whip up a proper sig now..