Eraser Tools

CC
Posted By
Claire_C_West
Dec 6, 2006
Views
373
Replies
8
Status
Closed
I have a number of photos of a model I need to "cut out" of the background so I can set her in other photos. I have worked on one of these photos using the background eraser tool and then saving as PNG. This worked in terms of creating the transparency, but I have some problems:

1. When I set the figure in the new photo, it becomes clear the checkered area for transparency is not consistently cleared, and slight smudge marks appear here and there. I’ve gone back twice to try to clean up these areas (by using the tool again) but it’s slow work and not completely effective. Did I use the wrong tool to begin with?

2. I used to do the transparency work more quickly in another kind of software, using a freehand selection tool to drawn around the subject, invert, and then get rid of most of the background before even going to an eraser tool. If that is a better way to work in Adobe as well, where is the freehand selection tool?

3. I am brand new to Photoshop, and having trouble answering close-down questions about copies and "Organizer." What I have is Elements 4, bundled with a Wacom product. I’m a person that does better with a hardcopy manual than online Help when it comes to absorbing general principles. Any suggestions on a resource for me?

Thanks.

Claire
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Bernie
Dec 6, 2006
Try placing the image on its own layer and using a layer mask and painting on it to set the trasnsparency. This will give you a lot more control.
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chrisjbirchall
Dec 6, 2006
What I have is Elements 4

You’ve wandered into the wrong room I’m afraid. Elements is down the corridor.

In Photoshop CS2 you’d use the "Extract" tool to accomplish your cut-out. Whether Elements 4 has this tool, I don’t know. You’ll have to ask in the other place.
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Claire_C_West
Dec 6, 2006
<You’ve wandered into the wrong room I’m afraid. Elements is down the corridor.

Thanks for the clarification. As it turns out, though, I’ve been wondering if I should buy the more advanced software Adobe offers — esp. as I have some budget left for this season. Is CS2 the latest and the best for handling photos? And does it comes with a good manual for an entry-level person?
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Donald_Reese
Dec 6, 2006
I would say the best for photos,and anything you want to accomplish relating to photos. there are plenty of good resources to get you going,not to mention all the good help around here.
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Claire_C_West
Dec 14, 2006
I’ve been looking into CS2 and it really does seem too advanced for me at this point. So, I want to join the Elements 4 forum, but for some strange reason, while I have found that forum, and am logged in and subscribed, the direction "To start a NEW discussion click on the Back to Topic List link and select Add Topic." does NOT take me back to a page that says "Add Topic" anywhere on it!

Does this mean I have to buy CS2 to get help? <g>

Claire
JR
John_R_Nielsen
Dec 14, 2006
If you click on this:

<http://photobucket.com/>

it should take you to this:

<http://photobucket.com/>
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Claire_C_West
Dec 14, 2006
John,

Thanks for the clear picture. But this is what comes up for me

Photoshop Elements 4 FAQ

Bookmark | Change Subscription

Discussion: Sending Email from Elements using Outlook Xpress – Fixed Discussion: Win XP Runtime Error OR "Microsoft Visual C++ Runtime Library…" when you start the Organizer in Photoshop Elements 4. (new flag )
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Claire_C_West
Dec 15, 2006
Okay, I finally figured out that the Elements 4 forum is no longer active and the directions for newbies are wrong. I found the right list by searching for Elements 5.

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