Is there a selection tool similar to the lasso tool in Photoshop where you can draw a free form shape as your selection area? This would be useful for when I am selecting vertices.

Also is it possible to "step through" the vertices of a poly shape in the same way you can step through the vertices of a nurbs shape? This is done in nurbs by selecting one or many vertices and pressing the up, down, left, or right arrows. (This might not be possible with Polys because each vertex doesn't always have four connecting vertices).

Any help would be great. Thanks.