diff --git a/crates/engine/src/copy_image.rs b/crates/engine/src/copy_image.rs
index 9d5668ccf5..6e8c2af8d4 100644
--- a/crates/engine/src/copy_image.rs
+++ b/crates/engine/src/copy_image.rs
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
 //! file in its original format. A picture drawn through grouped
 //! Form artwork (as Word, InDesign and many scanners write them) is found inside the group.
 
-use std::collections::HashSet;
+use std::collections::{HashMap, HashSet};
 
 use pdfcraft_cos::{Dict, Document as Cos, ObjRef, Object};
 
@@ -13,6 +13,31 @@ const MAX_COPY_PIXELS: u64 = 64_000_000;
 /// How deep Form artwork is searched for its picture.
 const MAX_FORM_DEPTH: usize = 12;
 
+/// A picture on a page, with its index in [`Document::page_images`].
+pub type PagePicture = (usize, pdfcraft_edit::PageImage);
+
+/// The topmost of `pictures` under user-space point `at` (`[x, y]`). `pictures` is bottom first,
+/// as [`Document::page_pictures_job`] lists them, so the last one that holds `at` wins.
+pub fn picture_at(pictures: &[PagePicture], at: [f64; 2]) -> Option<&PagePicture> {
+    pictures.iter().rev().find(|(_, image)| image.contains(at))
+}
+
+/// The pictures on `page`, bottom first: raster images, and Form artwork that holds one.
+fn pictures(cos: &Cos, page: usize) -> Vec<PagePicture> {
+    let images = pdfcraft_edit::page_images(cos, page).unwrap_or_default();
+    // Artwork drawn many times is searched once.
+    let mut holds_one: HashMap<ObjRef, bool> = HashMap::new();
+    images
+        .into_iter()
+        .enumerate()
+        .filter(|(_, i)| match (i.is_form, i.object) {
+            (false, Some(_)) => true,
+            (true, Some(form)) => *holds_one.entry(form).or_insert_with(|| picture_in_form(cos, form).is_some()),
+            _ => false,
+        })
+        .collect()
+}
+
 impl Document {
     /// The topmost picture on `page` under user-space point `at`, as its index in
     /// [`Document::page_images`]: a raster image, or Form artwork that holds one.
@@ -28,6 +53,18 @@ impl Document {
         })
     }
 
+    /// Work that lists the pictures on `page`, bottom first, for another thread: it reads every
+    /// drawing operator on the page, seconds on a dense one, so it must not run on the window
+    /// thread. Look a point up with [`picture_at`].
+    ///
+    /// `None` when the document can't be read. The work reads the document as it is now: later
+    /// edits aren't seen (key its answer by [`Document::edit_generation`]). It returns no pictures
+    /// for a page that doesn't exist or can't be read.
+    pub fn page_pictures_job(&self, page: usize) -> Option<impl FnOnce() -> Vec<PagePicture> + Send + 'static> {
+        let cos = self.editor.as_ref()?.cos.clone();
+        Some(move || crate::guard(|| pictures(&cos, page)).unwrap_or_default())
+    }
+
     /// Copy Image in Original Format: picture `index` on `page` as a file (extension, bytes):
     /// a JPEG as stored in the PDF, otherwise a lossless PNG.
     pub fn page_image_copy_file(&self, page: usize, index: usize) -> Result<(&'static str, Vec<u8>), String> {
diff --git a/crates/engine/src/lib.rs b/crates/engine/src/lib.rs
index e6e21cb1eb..ff4f5ff2a1 100644
--- a/crates/engine/src/lib.rs
+++ b/crates/engine/src/lib.rs
@@ -24,6 +24,7 @@ pub mod commands;
 mod comments;
 pub mod compare;
 mod copy_image;
+pub use copy_image::{PagePicture, picture_at};
 pub mod dates;
 mod document;
 mod edit;
diff --git a/crates/ui-egui/src/app.rs b/crates/ui-egui/src/app.rs
index e37b199df8..3edcd350a0 100644
--- a/crates/ui-egui/src/app.rs
+++ b/crates/ui-egui/src/app.rs
@@ -684,8 +684,14 @@ impl eframe::App for PdfCraftApp {
         self.motion.begin_pass(&ctx, self.animation_effects);
         // One-time 0.36 -> 0.37 panel persistence migration, before any panel stores or reads state.
         migrate_panel_state(ui);
+        // Another tool lets go of a click whose picture is still being found, whether or not its
+        // page is drawn to see the change.
+        let picks = self.quick_tool == QuickTool::Select;
         for view in &mut self.views {
             view.begin_render_frame();
+            if !picks {
+                view.pending_pick = None;
+            }
         }
         self.sync_titles(&ctx);
         // The accessible window takes the same name, so a screen reader (AT-SPI on Linux, UIA on
diff --git a/crates/ui-egui/src/canvas.rs b/crates/ui-egui/src/canvas.rs
index dd0fa285a0..87abd3b812 100644
--- a/crates/ui-egui/src/canvas.rs
+++ b/crates/ui-egui/src/canvas.rs
@@ -682,6 +682,10 @@ pub struct DocView {
     pub image_selection: Option<crate::edit_text_ui::ImageSelection>,
     /// Select tool: the picture clicked, to copy in its original format.
     pub picked_image: Option<crate::image_pick::PickedImage>,
+    /// A click (page, user-space point, document generation) whose picture is still being looked for.
+    pub(crate) pending_pick: Option<(usize, [f64; 2], u64)>,
+    /// The pictures of the page last asked about.
+    pub(crate) pictures: crate::image_pick::PagePictures,
     /// A paragraph box being dragged (moved, or resized from its right edge) in Edit text.
     pub block_drag: Option<crate::edit_text_ui::BlockDrag>,
     /// Commenting state: selected comment, gestures, composer.
@@ -1078,6 +1082,8 @@ impl DocView {
             objects: Default::default(),
             image_selection: None,
             picked_image: None,
+            pending_pick: None,
+            pictures: Default::default(),
             block_drag: None,
             pending_action: None,
             insert_at: None,
@@ -2023,17 +2029,8 @@ fn draw_pages(
         // Over a picture (and no comment): Copy Image, as in Acrobat's page menu.
         let mut copy_image = None;
         if let Some((page, at)) = view.comments.context_at {
-            // The page's content is parsed once per right-click, not on every frame the menu is open.
-            let key = egui::Id::unique("copy-image-under-menu");
-            let cached = ui.data(|d| d.get_temp::<(usize, [f64; 2], Option<usize>)>(key)).filter(|c| c.0 == page && c.1 == at);
-            let hit = match cached {
-                Some(c) => c.2,
-                None => {
-                    let hit = doc.page_image_at(page, at);
-                    ui.data_mut(|d| d.insert_temp(key, (page, at, hit)));
-                    hit
-                }
-            };
+            // On a page still being read, these items appear when the answer comes.
+            let hit = view.pictures.get(ui.ctx(), doc, page).and_then(|pictures| pdfcraft_engine::picture_at(pictures, at)).map(|(index, _)| *index);
             if let Some(image) = hit {
                 if ui.button(tl!("Copy Image")).clicked() {
                     copy_image = Some(comments::CanvasAction::CopyImage(page, image));
diff --git a/crates/ui-egui/src/canvas/image_pick.rs b/crates/ui-egui/src/canvas/image_pick.rs
index e96a2b8430..81ae3ba757 100644
--- a/crates/ui-egui/src/canvas/image_pick.rs
+++ b/crates/ui-egui/src/canvas/image_pick.rs
@@ -36,29 +36,278 @@ pub(crate) fn page_input(
     pick: bool,
     view: &mut DocView,
 ) {
-    let Some(p) = ptr.pos.filter(|p| xf.rect.contains(*p)) else { return };
-    if ptr.drag_started || resp.double_clicked() || resp.triple_clicked() {
-        view.picked_image = None;
-        return;
-    }
-    if !resp.clicked() || !pick {
-        return;
-    }
     let Some(info_page) = info.pages.get(page) else { return };
-    let (vx, vy) = xf.screen_to_view(p);
-    let u = info_page.view_to_user(vx, vy);
-    let at = [f64::from(u[0]), f64::from(u[1])];
     let generation = doc.edit_generation();
-    view.picked_image = doc.page_image_at(page, at).and_then(|index| {
-        doc.page_images(page).get(index).and_then(|i| {
-            let screen_rect = crate::canvas::image_screen_rect(i, xf, info, page);
-            if screen_rect.is_positive() && screen_rect.contains(p) {
-                Some(PickedImage { page, index, rect: crate::canvas::image_selectable_bounds(i), generation })
-            } else {
-                None
+    if let Some(p) = ptr.pos.filter(|p| xf.rect.contains(*p)) {
+        if ptr.drag_started || resp.double_clicked() || resp.triple_clicked() {
+            view.picked_image = None;
+            view.pending_pick = None;
+            return;
+        }
+        if resp.clicked() {
+            // A link's click picks nothing, and takes back an earlier click still being looked into.
+            view.pending_pick = None;
+            if pick {
+                let (vx, vy) = xf.screen_to_view(p);
+                let u = info_page.view_to_user(vx, vy);
+                view.picked_image = None;
+                view.pending_pick = Some((page, [f64::from(u[0]), f64::from(u[1])], generation));
             }
-        })
-    });
+        }
+    }
+    // The click's picture, as soon as the page's pictures are known: the window stays live until then.
+    let Some((_, at, clicked_in)) = view.pending_pick.filter(|pending| pending.0 == page) else { return };
+    if clicked_in != generation {
+        view.pending_pick = None;
+    } else if let Some(pictures) = view.pictures.get(&resp.ctx, doc, page) {
+        // Where the click was on the page now: the view may have moved while the page was read.
+        let point = xf.user_rect_f64(info, page, [at[0], at[1], at[0], at[1]]).center();
+        view.picked_image = pdfcraft_engine::picture_at(pictures, at).and_then(|(index, i)| {
+            let screen_rect = crate::canvas::image_screen_rect(i, xf, info, page);
+            (screen_rect.is_positive() && screen_rect.contains(point)).then(|| PickedImage {
+                page,
+                index: *index,
+                rect: crate::canvas::image_selectable_bounds(i),
+                generation,
+            })
+        });
+        view.pending_pick = None;
+    }
+}
+
+/// Page and document generation.
+type PictureKey = (usize, u64);
+
+/// The pictures of the page last asked about, found on their own thread: the search reads every
+/// drawing operator on the page, seconds on a dense one. A small file answers on the spot, so its
+/// menu and selection don't flicker. The web build has no threads, so there every search runs on
+/// the spot, as before.
+///
+/// One search at a time: a page left while it is read is read to the end before the next one
+/// starts (the read can't be stopped part-way).
+#[derive(Default)]
+pub(crate) struct PagePictures {
+    /// The pictures of the key's page.
+    ready: Option<(PictureKey, Vec<pdfcraft_engine::PagePicture>)>,
+    /// The search under way. One at a time: each is a full read of a page.
+    job: Option<(PictureKey, std::sync::mpsc::Receiver<Vec<pdfcraft_engine::PagePicture>>)>,
+}
+
+impl PagePictures {
+    /// A file smaller than this has its pictures read on the spot.
+    const SMALL_FILE: usize = 8 * 1024 * 1024;
+
+    /// The pictures on `page`, or `None` while they are being found (a repaint follows the answer).
+    pub(crate) fn get(&mut self, ctx: &egui::Context, doc: &pdfcraft_engine::Document, page: usize) -> Option<&[pdfcraft_engine::PagePicture]> {
+        let key = (page, doc.edit_generation());
+        self.poll();
+        if self.job.is_none() && !self.ready.as_ref().is_some_and(|(k, _)| *k == key) {
+            match doc.page_pictures_job(page) {
+                Some(work) if doc.bytes.len() < Self::SMALL_FILE => self.ready = Some((key, work())),
+                Some(work) => self.start(ctx, key, work),
+                None => self.ready = Some((key, Vec::new())),
+            }
+            self.poll();
+        }
+        self.ready.as_ref().filter(|(k, _)| *k == key).map(|(_, pictures)| pictures.as_slice())
+    }
+
+    fn start(&mut self, ctx: &egui::Context, key: PictureKey, work: impl FnOnce() -> Vec<pdfcraft_engine::PagePicture> + Send + 'static) {
+        let (send, answer) = std::sync::mpsc::channel();
+        let ctx = ctx.clone();
+        let run = move || {
+            let _ = send.send(work());
+            ctx.request_repaint();
+        };
+        self.job = Some((key, answer));
+        #[cfg(target_arch = "wasm32")]
+        run();
+        #[cfg(not(target_arch = "wasm32"))]
+        if let Err(e) = std::thread::Builder::new().name("page-pictures".into()).spawn(run) {
+            log::warn!("page pictures thread: {e}");
+            self.job = None;
+            self.ready = Some((key, Vec::new()));
+        }
+    }
+
+    /// Take the answer if it has come.
+    fn poll(&mut self) {
+        use std::sync::mpsc::TryRecvError;
+        let Some((key, answer)) = &self.job else { return };
+        let got = match answer.try_recv() {
+            Ok(pictures) => Some(pictures),
+            Err(TryRecvError::Empty) => None,
+            // The search failed: this page offers no pictures.
+            Err(TryRecvError::Disconnected) => Some(Vec::new()),
+        };
+        if let Some(pictures) = got {
+            self.ready = Some((*key, pictures));
+            self.job = None;
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+#[cfg(test)]
+mod picture_tests {
+    use super::*;
+
+    /// A search that takes its time doesn't hold the window: starting and polling it return before
+    /// the search is let go, and the answer is picked up when it comes.
+    #[test]
+    #[cfg(not(target_arch = "wasm32"))]
+    fn a_slow_page_does_not_hold_up_the_window() {
+        let (release, wait) = std::sync::mpsc::channel::<()>();
+        // Lets the search go in the end, should it run on this thread or be waited for.
+        let late = release.clone();
+        let let_go = std::sync::Arc::new(std::sync::atomic::AtomicBool::new(false));
+        let watchdog = let_go.clone();
+        std::thread::spawn(move || {
+            std::thread::sleep(std::time::Duration::from_secs(2));
+            watchdog.store(true, std::sync::atomic::Ordering::SeqCst);
+            let _ = late.send(());
+        });
+        let mut pictures = PagePictures::default();
+        let caller = std::thread::current().id();
+        let (ran_on, ran) = std::sync::mpsc::channel();
+        pictures.start(&egui::Context::default(), (3, 1), move || {
+            let _ = ran_on.send(std::thread::current().id());
+            let _ = wait.recv();
+            Vec::new()
+        });
+        pictures.poll();
+        assert!(!let_go.load(std::sync::atomic::Ordering::SeqCst), "starting and polling the search must not wait for it");
+        // A search that never ran (its thread couldn't start) fails the test rather than hanging it.
+        let ran_on = ran.recv_timeout(std::time::Duration::from_secs(10)).expect("the search ran");
+        assert_ne!(ran_on, caller, "the search must not run on the calling thread");
+        let _ = release.send(());
+        for _ in 0..500 {
+            std::thread::sleep(std::time::Duration::from_millis(10));
+            pictures.poll();
+            if pictures.ready.is_some() {
+                break;
+            }
+        }
+        assert_eq!(pictures.ready, Some(((3, 1), Vec::new())));
+    }
+
+    /// Escape takes back a click whose picture isn't known yet: it isn't selected when it is.
+    #[test]
+    fn escape_cancels_a_click_on_a_page_still_being_read() {
+        let mut app = PdfCraftApp::new();
+        app.open_bytes("notes.txt", None, b"hello".to_vec()).unwrap();
+        let (i, _) = app.active_ids().unwrap();
+        app.views[i].pending_pick = Some((0, [1.0, 1.0], 0));
+        let escape = egui::Event::Key { key: egui::Key::Escape, physical_key: None, pressed: true, repeat: false, modifiers: Default::default() };
+        egui::Context::default()
+            .run_ui(egui::RawInput { events: vec![escape], ..Default::default() }, |ui| app.image_pick_keys(i, ui.ctx()))
+            .drop_without_applying_deltas();
+        assert_eq!(app.views[i].pending_pick, None);
+    }
+
+    /// A page (200 × 300) with a square comment over 20..80 × 20..80 and a link over 120..180 ×
+    /// 220..280.
+    fn page_with_a_comment_and_a_link() -> Vec<u8> {
+        let objs = [
+            "<< /Type /Catalog /Pages 2 0 R >>",
+            "<< /Type /Pages /Kids [3 0 R] /Count 1 /MediaBox [0 0 200 300] >>",
+            "<< /Type /Page /Parent 2 0 R /Annots [4 0 R 5 0 R] >>",
+            "<< /Type /Annot /Subtype /Square /Rect [20 20 80 80] /C [1 0 0] /Border [0 0 2] >>",
+            "<< /Type /Annot /Subtype /Link /Rect [120 220 180 280] /Border [0 0 0] /A << /S /URI /URI (https://example.org/) >> >>",
+        ];
+        let mut out = b"%PDF-1.7\n".to_vec();
+        let mut offsets = Vec::new();
+        for (i, o) in objs.iter().enumerate() {
+            offsets.push(out.len());
+            out.extend_from_slice(format!("{} 0 obj\n{o}\nendobj\n", i + 1).as_bytes());
+        }
+        let xref = out.len();
+        out.extend_from_slice(format!("xref\n0 {}\n0000000000 65535 f \n", objs.len() + 1).as_bytes());
+        for o in offsets {
+            out.extend_from_slice(format!("{o:010} 00000 n \n").as_bytes());
+        }
+        out.extend_from_slice(format!("trailer\n<< /Size {} /Root 1 0 R >>\nstartxref\n{xref}\n%%EOF\n", objs.len() + 1).as_bytes());
+        out
+    }
+
+    /// The page open with the Select tool, once it is on screen, and where a point on it is.
+    fn open_page() -> (egui_kittest::Harness<'static, PdfCraftApp>, impl Fn(f32, f32) -> egui::Pos2) {
+        let mut h = egui_kittest::Harness::builder().with_size(egui::vec2(1400.0, 900.0)).build_eframe(|_cc| {
+            let mut app = PdfCraftApp::new();
+            app.open_bytes("marks.pdf", None, page_with_a_comment_and_a_link()).unwrap();
+            app
+        });
+        let mut on_screen = None;
+        for _ in 0..600 {
+            h.run_steps(2);
+            on_screen = h.state().views[0].page_screen_rect(0);
+            if on_screen.is_some() {
+                break;
+            }
+            std::thread::sleep(std::time::Duration::from_millis(5));
+        }
+        let r = on_screen.expect("the page is on screen");
+        let k = r.width() / 200.0;
+        (h, move |x, y| r.min + egui::vec2(x * k, (300.0 - y) * k))
+    }
+
+    /// An earlier click on the page whose pictures are still being found, as on a dense drawing:
+    /// they don't come while the returned sender lives.
+    fn click_still_being_looked_into(
+        h: &mut egui_kittest::Harness<'static, PdfCraftApp>,
+    ) -> std::sync::mpsc::Sender<Vec<pdfcraft_engine::PagePicture>> {
+        let id = h.state().views[0].id;
+        let generation = h.state().session.get(id).expect("the document").edit_generation();
+        let (send, answer) = std::sync::mpsc::channel();
+        let view = &mut h.state_mut().views[0];
+        view.pictures = PagePictures { ready: None, job: Some(((0, generation), answer)) };
+        view.pending_pick = Some((0, [150.0, 150.0], generation));
+        send
+    }
+
+    fn click(h: &mut egui_kittest::Harness<'static, PdfCraftApp>, p: egui::Pos2) {
+        h.hover_at(p);
+        h.run_steps(1);
+        h.drag_at(p);
+        h.run_steps(1);
+        h.drop_at(p);
+        h.run_steps(4);
+    }
+
+    /// Another tool lets go of the click, even while its page isn't drawn (Organize pages).
+    #[test]
+    fn another_tool_takes_back_a_click_on_a_page_not_drawn() {
+        let (mut h, _) = open_page();
+        let _keep = click_still_being_looked_into(&mut h);
+        assert!(h.state_mut().execute("page.organize"));
+        h.run_steps(2);
+        assert!(h.state().views[0].pending_pick.is_some(), "the click waits while the page isn't drawn");
+        h.state_mut().quick_tool = crate::QuickTool::Hand;
+        h.run_steps(1);
+        h.state_mut().quick_tool = crate::QuickTool::Select;
+        h.run_steps(1);
+        assert_eq!(h.state().views[0].pending_pick, None);
+    }
+
+    /// A click a comment takes lets go of the earlier click: its picture isn't picked after the
+    /// comment is selected.
+    #[test]
+    fn a_click_on_a_comment_takes_back_the_earlier_click() {
+        let (mut h, at) = open_page();
+        let _keep = click_still_being_looked_into(&mut h);
+        click(&mut h, at(50.0, 50.0));
+        assert_eq!(h.state().views[0].comments.selected, Some((0, 0)), "the comment is selected");
+        assert_eq!(h.state().views[0].pending_pick, None);
+    }
+
+    /// A click on a link follows it and lets go of the earlier click too.
+    #[test]
+    fn a_click_on_a_link_takes_back_the_earlier_click() {
+        let (mut h, at) = open_page();
+        let _keep = click_still_being_looked_into(&mut h);
+        click(&mut h, at(150.0, 250.0));
+        assert!(h.state().pending_link.is_some(), "the link is followed");
+        assert_eq!(h.state().views[0].pending_pick, None);
+    }
 }
 
 /// Forget the selected picture once the document has been edited since it was picked: Edit text &
@@ -167,16 +416,20 @@ fn write_clipboard_file(dir: &std::path::Path, name: &str, bytes: &[u8]) -> Resu
 }
 
 impl PdfCraftApp {
-    /// ⌘C / Ctrl+C copies the selected picture in its original format; Escape deselects it.
+    /// ⌘C / Ctrl+C copies the selected picture in its original format; Escape deselects it, or
+    /// takes back a click whose picture isn't known yet.
     pub(crate) fn image_pick_keys(&mut self, i: usize, ctx: &egui::Context) {
-        let Some(picked) = self.views.get(i).and_then(|v| v.picked_image) else { return };
         if ctx.egui_wants_keyboard_input() {
             return;
         }
         if ctx.input(|inp| inp.key_pressed(egui::Key::Escape)) {
-            self.views[i].picked_image = None;
+            if let Some(view) = self.views.get_mut(i) {
+                view.picked_image = None;
+                view.pending_pick = None;
+            }
             return;
         }
+        let Some(picked) = self.views.get(i).and_then(|v| v.picked_image) else { return };
         let copy = ctx.input(|inp| inp.events.iter().any(|e| matches!(e, egui::Event::Copy)));
         if !copy || self.views[i].selected_text().is_some() {
             return;
diff --git a/crates/ui-egui/src/canvas/page_input.rs b/crates/ui-egui/src/canvas/page_input.rs
index 940eca080b..2ca3337a3f 100644
--- a/crates/ui-egui/src/canvas/page_input.rs
+++ b/crates/ui-egui/src/canvas/page_input.rs
@@ -834,8 +834,13 @@ pub(super) fn page_overlays(ui: &mut egui::Ui, view: &mut DocView, frame: &mut P
     // it is over first sees, whichever page it began on.
     let pick_sees =
         matches!(input.press, PagePress::Free | PagePress::Mine(Owner::Link { .. })) || input.press == PagePress::Elsewhere && ptr.drag_started;
-    if tool == QuickTool::Select && pick_sees && !input.consumed {
+    if tool != QuickTool::Select {
+        view.pending_pick = None;
+    } else if pick_sees && !input.consumed {
         crate::image_pick::page_input(resp, &xf, i, info, doc, ptr, input.press == PagePress::Free, view);
+    } else if resp.clicked() || ptr.drag_started {
+        // Another owner took the press: an earlier click's picture, still being found, isn't picked.
+        view.pending_pick = None;
     }
     crate::image_pick::drop_stale(doc, view);
     crate::image_pick::paint(painter, &xf, i, info, view);