Use the Paint Select Tool, in Maya 8 and 8.5 it is on the side tools menu buttons under the lasoo tool. In Maya 7 its found under Edit>Paint Selection Tool.
Chris (formerly R@nSiD)
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When the power of love overcomes the love of power the world will truely know peace - Jimmy Hendrix
Winner SM VFX Challenge 1
3rd Place SM SteamPunk Challenge (May 2007)