When I select vertices in the vertex modeler, the loop tool must start OFF the mesh in order to make selections. When I am working close up on a mesh, off-the-mesh is not an option for starting the tool and I am reduced to clicking on each polygon to make selections. click. click. click. yawn. wrong click. Aaaagh!
Is there another way to select that I have missed? How do others handle close-up many-polygon selection? This is all for setting up morph zones on a big figure, btw.
Thanks for any suggestions.

Hi Sueposer,

You might try using wire display mode and then ...
You can click & drag across a number of polys in one step to select 'em.

Got a wrong vertex or poly?
Hold down the shift key and click on it. (or click & drag) to do more than one at a time.

What's that?  You need to move (or scale) some polys that have other polys behind 'em?

Rotate the camera as necessary and then ...

Click and drag around the polys you want to hide ...
(so you can't see 'em or select 'em accidentally).
Then use the [menu] "View" >>> "Hide Selection" (Ctril+)

Now that they're out of the way, you can modify the ones you want to change.

Ok? ... OK! ...

cheers,
dr geep
;=]

Thanks. It never crossed my mind to change the viewing mode or hide anything. I will give it a try.