There are lots of ways- the best one will depend on what the photo is like, for example, is the person on a plain background etc. For starters, try… the extract filter, the magnetic lasso tool, the magic wand tool, quick mask and layer masks.
Have been using the lasso tools and the wand, but its a slow and painstaking process, and esp. difficult if the objects dont stand out from the background. So any tips on how to improve in using these or other? But thanks a million for the first two ones!
matt
You can also try the "Background Eraser". Make the size fairly large, and "paint" over the border. Keep the cross in the middle outside the parts that you want to keep.
Rob
Have a look at "Quick Mask" in the help/manual- is essence you paint the bits that you either want to keep or want to chuck away. You can use a very fine brush for selecting which can make things very accurate. You can also use it to add/subtract from a cyrrent selsction- say you do a rough selection with the magic wand tool and then tidy it up with quick mask. Complex selections are normally time consuming but with practice you’ll improve and find the technique that works for you.
<<but its a slow and painstaking process, and esp. difficult if the objects dont stand out from the background>>
Exactly! There really is no quick method. Which is why they film actors against plain-colored backgrounds (blue screens) to make replacing the background easier.
use the pen tool to create a vector mask. That is the best way to cut anything out.
" use the pen tool to create a vector mask. That is the best way to cut anything out."
I’d say it’s a good way, but not necessarily the best way.
Smart methodology would suggest that you learn every possible way to create the selection, and use the best combination for the given image. Often, this requires that we use masks of varying opacities, which can’t be done with vectors alone.
indeed if we are going to be anal about it. I stand firm, though, on the pen tool being the fastest way.. and the best way.. to cut anything out. But yes, sometimes you need feathered masks.
PS you can create a selection from a vector mask/path by right clicking and hitting "create selection" which fromt there you can feather…
you can also have a vector mask and a raster mask on the same layer, working together.
I stand firm, though, on the pen tool being the fastest way.. and the best way.. to cut anything out.
not. i often use the all the selection tools including the quick mask to make an initial selection. often that’s enough. if if i need more, i convert to a path and use that.
