Hi,
In the manual https://docs.krita.org/Selections, it is said that one can create vector selections or convert to vector selection, then move only the selection and not its content.
For now I've only work with pixel selections. When I try to convert it to vector (Select -> convert to vector selection), nothing indicates me that it worked. In the select menu, the option "convert to vector selection" stille seems available (colored white and not grey). And only the content of the selection can be moved or transformed.
Is it a bug or did I miss something ?

Hi,

mumuett wrote:Is it a bug or did I miss something ?

Vector selections are identical visually to pixel selections.
It's possible to move them, just the cursor doesn't change when doing mouseover. My steps:

1) "J" key (switch to the "Elliptical tool")
2) "Tool Options" > Mode: "Vector Selection"
3) Canvas > click & drag to select an area
4) Toolbox > "Select Shapes Tool" (arrow) (*)
5) click & drag over the selection outline, to move it.

(*) In latest Krita 4 it appears a popup message: "This tool only works on vector layers. You probably want the move tool."

See also this video example: https://bugsfiles.kde.org/attachment.cgi?id=111141

It seems to be superfluous in that I can't think why it would be used. Having said that, someone may come along and explain how useful it can be. (Such as that video link.)

If you have a pixel selection, you can convert it to a vector shape directly with Convert To Shape, if that is what you want to do. This is useful if you want to make arbitrary irregular vector shapes.

@mvowada :
Thank you, with the "Select Shapes Tool" I can move the shape. Can I suggest to make a small difference between the two types of selection in the future. Like just an indication in the option tool docker, for example. But as I understand it, while it is possible to move the shape of the selection, it is not to transform it as indicated in the manual.

@ahabgreybeard :
Of course I can live without this feature, but as a thought it existed (I read all the manual page about Selections) and then I imagined some ways to use it. I work a lot with the Selections Tools when I paint and it can be useful and faster to make a selection, then copy it adding the copy to the previous selection, or transform it to match a perspective...I'm a newbie in digital painting so I cannot provide real examples. Maybe there are also other ways I did not think of because I don't know Krita very well for now.

With a pixel selection, you can move the selection and tranform it using all the options of the Transform tool. Having said that, there's usually something I've missed so I wish you luck and progress in your learning and any experiments you do.

The confusion is between :
1 - "moving and transform the selection" -- in other words "moving and transform the content of the selected area" . This feature is obviously possible and so much people use it.
2 - "moving and transform the shape of the area itself". This last feature seems not possible, although it is written in the manual. This feature may not be used a lot, which is why it is not possible I guess. If I can maybe I'll propose to edit the manual and fix wrong sentence.
Anyway thank you for the answers and the encouragements

Edit : For the record, I found the exact sentence that would need be fixed : https://docs.krita.org/Selections :
"One of the most common reasons to use vector selections is that they give you the ability to move and transform a selection. Moving the selection with a pixel selection will move the content on the layer. Moving the selection on a vector selection will only move the selection."

There is also the possibility that my english is bad and I'm always confused by the term "selection" that is not specific enough imho.

mumuett wrote:This last feature seems not possible

It is possible actually even though maybe not much intuitive. This is how I do that.

in Krita 4:
- toolbox > "Edit Shapes Tool", to edit the path
- or hit "CTRL+T" + transform + Enter key, to apply a transformation (but for some reason marching ants are not visible while transforming, making transforming aproximate)

In Krita 3:
- I think I first need to convert the selection to shape (menu > "Select" > "Convert to Shape") + toolbox > "Path editing" tool, to edit the path
- or hit "CTRL+T" + transform + Enter key, to apply a transformation
- additionally, in Krita 3 version, you can scale/rotate/skew the blue coloured bounding box (that is missing in Krita 4)

In both Krita 3 and 4 versions (this applies to pixel selections as well):
- menu > "Select" > "Show Global Selection Mask"
- move to the "Layers" docker + click the layer "selection" (usually the topmost)
- "CTRL+T" + transform + Enter key, to apply the transformation.

Oh yes, there is a difference between 1: moving/transforming the image area enclosed by a selection (which everybody does) and 2: moving transforming the selction shape itself.

I was referring to item 2. This is possible with pixel selections.

First, make a selection using any of the available selection methods. Then Add a new paint layer, which will give you a new empty paint layer that will become the selected/working layer. Select the Move tool and check that its Tool Options are set to Move Current Layer (to limit the effects to the empty layer you are working in). Then move the selection. The selection will become invisible as you move it (an annoyance) but then you can press the return key to reveal it.

For the transform tools you can work in a similar way. SInce the selection becomes invisible then it's difficult to judge the effects. The way round this is to use the Fill tool to first fill the selection with a colour so you can see the effects of the transform. When you've finished transforming it, goto the Toolbox and click on the Shape Manipulation Tool and this will clear the transform tool and reveal the selection.

After you've done that, you can go back to the image layer that interests you and delete (or make invisible) the paint layer you added to enable working on the selection shape itself.

The Krita tool options are like a jungle and it takes time to learn them all and much 'playing' and experimentation is needed.

Thank you both for your usefull answers. Now I have plenty ways to do the trick. I'll test it tomorrow if I can.

Yes, ahabgreybeard, that's just it : I'm still feeling quite lost in the jungle The documentation is quite difficult to navigate into. I'll just play and experiment then. Krita's awesome, so let's do it !

I understand the hack with creating a new layer and then moving the pixels around on that layer so you can then see where the selected area is on the layer you are actually wanting to interact with and then when it all lines up, abandoning that layer and switching back to your working layer but I was wondering if there is a way to hot-key this or toggle between moving the selected pixels and moving the selection outline itself. Seems like functionality a lot of people would use and making it easy to pop back and forth might make sense.

The technique described by mvowada, using the Global Selection Mask, is more 'powerful' and as well as transforms you can alter the selection on the GSM by painting on it in black/white to define any shape of selection you like. You can even paint on it in shades of grey (which has interesting consequences when you do a Move on the paint layer.)