diff --git a/crates/engine/src/tests_bboxrotate.rs b/crates/engine/src/tests_bboxrotate.rs
index 334e7b45..902ed629 100644
--- a/crates/engine/src/tests_bboxrotate.rs
+++ b/crates/engine/src/tests_bboxrotate.rs
@@ -209,3 +209,26 @@ fn rotated_box_rect_matches_page_bounds_when_upright() {
     sel(&mut s, &[a]);
     assert_eq!(selection_box(&s), OrientedBox::aligned(Rect::new(10.0, 20.0, 40.0, 60.0)));
 }
+
+/// The Selection tool says when a drag moves, scales or rotates the selection (the canvas hides the
+/// bounding box meanwhile, #712), and not on a press that hasn't moved or a marquee.
+#[test]
+fn the_selection_tool_reports_a_transforming_drag() {
+    let mut s = session();
+    let id = id_of(&s.execute("shape.rectangle", &json!({"x": 100, "y": 100, "width": 100, "height": 50})).unwrap());
+    s.execute("select.set", &json!({"ids": [id.0]})).unwrap();
+    let v = ViewInfo::default();
+    s.select_tool("selection", v).unwrap();
+    let ev = |kind, x: f64, y: f64| PointerEvent::new(kind, x, y).with_mods(Mods::default());
+    s.pointer(&ev(PointerKind::Down, 150.0, 125.0), v).unwrap();
+    assert!(!s.tool_transforming(), "a press that hasn't moved");
+    s.pointer(&ev(PointerKind::Drag, 190.0, 160.0), v).unwrap();
+    assert!(s.tool_transforming(), "moving");
+    s.pointer(&ev(PointerKind::Up, 190.0, 160.0), v).unwrap();
+    assert!(!s.tool_transforming());
+    // A marquee on empty canvas isn't a transform.
+    s.pointer(&ev(PointerKind::Down, 500.0, 400.0), v).unwrap();
+    s.pointer(&ev(PointerKind::Drag, 550.0, 450.0), v).unwrap();
+    assert!(s.tool_busy() && !s.tool_transforming());
+    s.pointer(&ev(PointerKind::Up, 550.0, 450.0), v).unwrap();
+}
diff --git a/crates/engine/src/tooling.rs b/crates/engine/src/tooling.rs
index bcec57ca..297b008b 100644
--- a/crates/engine/src/tooling.rs
+++ b/crates/engine/src/tooling.rs
@@ -358,6 +358,11 @@ impl Session {
         self.tool.busy()
     }
 
+    /// Is the active tool moving, scaling or rotating the selection with a drag?
+    pub fn tool_transforming(&self) -> bool {
+        self.tool.transforming()
+    }
+
     /// Does the active tool take `key` ahead of the shortcuts bound to it (see `Tool::claims_key`)?
     pub fn tool_claims_key(&mut self, key: ToolKey, view: ViewInfo) -> bool {
         self.plane_key(key).is_some() || self.with_tool_cx(view, |t, cx| t.claims_key(cx, key))
diff --git a/crates/tools/src/lib.rs b/crates/tools/src/lib.rs
index 7c4aef24..62bc634e 100644
--- a/crates/tools/src/lib.rs
+++ b/crates/tools/src/lib.rs
@@ -517,6 +517,11 @@ pub trait Tool: Send {
     fn busy(&self) -> bool {
         false
     }
+    /// Is a drag moving, scaling or rotating the selection (the canvas then hides the bounding box,
+    /// so only the art is seen going with the pointer)?
+    fn transforming(&self) -> bool {
+        false
+    }
     /// Does the tool take `key` now, ahead of the command shortcuts bound to it (the Gradient tool
     /// with a stop selected takes Delete and the arrows)?
     fn claims_key(&self, _cx: &ToolContext, _key: ToolKey) -> bool {
diff --git a/crates/tools/src/select.rs b/crates/tools/src/select.rs
index f8d547c9..1bcea77c 100644
--- a/crates/tools/src/select.rs
+++ b/crates/tools/src/select.rs
@@ -163,6 +163,10 @@ impl Tool for SelectionTool {
         !matches!(self.state, State::Idle) || self.guide.busy()
     }
 
+    fn transforming(&self) -> bool {
+        matches!(self.state, State::Moving { began: true, .. } | State::Scaling { .. } | State::Rotating { .. })
+    }
+
     fn pointer(&mut self, cx: &ToolContext, ev: &PointerEvent) -> Vec<Action> {
         if let Some(out) = self.guide.pointer(cx, ev) {
             return out;
diff --git a/crates/ui-egui/src/canvas.rs b/crates/ui-egui/src/canvas.rs
index 8bd01189..5ec7f10f 100644
--- a/crates/ui-egui/src/canvas.rs
+++ b/crates/ui-egui/src/canvas.rs
@@ -1541,8 +1541,10 @@ fn print_tiling_overlay(app: &mut VectorcraftApp, p: &egui::Painter, xf: &Xf) {
 const PRINT_TILING: Color32 = Color32::from_gray(96);
 
 fn selection_overlay(app: &mut VectorcraftApp, p: &egui::Painter, xf: &Xf) {
-    // The Selection tool's bounding box (rotated with the objects after a rotation).
+    // The Selection tool's bounding box (rotated with the objects after a rotation). It hides while
+    // a drag moves or resizes the selection, so only the art is seen going with the pointer (#712).
     let show_box = app.session.tool_id() == "selection"
+        && !app.session.tool_transforming()
         && app.ui.view.bounding_box
         && app.session.active().is_some_and(|st| !st.selection.is_empty() && st.selection.anchors.is_empty());
     let bbox = if show_box { app.selection_box() } else { None };