x900mhz

Any help or tuts on erasing backgounds or cropping out pics from a photo?

Thanks

Blinky2004

Hi x900mhz, welcome to the community.

Generally there are 2 specific methods used for this type of function:

1) Using the PEN tool to create a Path selection around the subjects.
2) Using the Polygon selection tool to do the same thing.

Main difference between these 2 is that the Path can be edited/adjusted after-the-fact.

Pros & Cons of each varies depending on one's own needs. But mostly, they're very similar in this respect. Easier of the 2? Using the Selection tool over the Pen tool. Mainly because most folks have a time grasping the workings of the Pen tools; even though they're not actually difficult to understand. Plus for those folks, the selection tool is quicker to apply.

Both methods require you to zoom in an extreme amount (even more than in my sameples actually). This alows more precision.

Basically these 2 methods have little details to be learned. You pretty much just grab either tool and start tracing.

When you're all done tracing...
If you used the selection tool, just press Ctrl/Cmd+J to copy the selected area to a new layer of its own.

If you used the Pen tool, then you right-click on your canvas (with the Pen tool selected) and select "Make Selection" from the menu. After which, you use the same shortcut keys as in the first method, to create a new copy of the selected area.


Erasing backgrounds can be much more tricky and time-consuming, depending on the complexity of the background involved; i.e. lots and lots of colours and/or objects.

It's usually just easier to extract the target subjects insetad.

Give the Pen and/or Polygon selection tool a go and get a feel for the process.

Does this help at all?
Any specific questions?

ronmatt

http://img500.imageshack.us/img500/8784/ol5cp.jpg

yet another method.

Welles

I've got to admit that I use a whole selection of techniques, depending on what the original image looks like. For example on theKeepers example above, I might have experimented with the Background eraser tool or the Magic Wand/Delete on the blue and then clean up with the Polygonal Lasso Tool. Occasionally I'll even use the Magnetic Selection Tool, if the foreground/background contrast is enough.

For more complex extractions, here is a tutorial for a very clever technique...

http://www.pixeladdiction.com/bb/art...ticle&artid=25

ladyfinger007

Yes, Scott's tutorial is very good, thanks for sharing, Welles!

leenapink

I tend to use quick mask tools, it allows for changes and corrections as you go.
Lasa

Welles

Does anybody remember the selection tutorial which used a channel(s?) and the dodge and burn tools? I thought it was very clever and wanted to post it here but I've lost the link... :cry:

jaclyn

Russell Brown's tutorial on Advanced Masking uses that technique.(near the bottom of the page)
http://www.russellbrown.com/tips_tech.html