Photoshop7 problem

On Sun, 13 Jun 2010 14:14:21 -0700 (PDT), Desmond
wrote:

Hi I am not a professional and am using PS7. I want to merge images. I have a large base image and want to add smaller ones inside. I have cut around some images as gif and wanted to add a few pixels (white) around them so that when I add the images they would be distinctive with the small white border.
If anyone can tell me of another way? I dont want to merge them without border as this would look poor in quality.

There are always several ways of doing anything in Photoshop. The way I would do your project is to open your base file and open your file with the smaller image. Go to Window>Documents>Tile and click.

That will put both images on the screen side-by-side. Now use your Lasso tool* to cut around the part of the smaller image file. Once you’ve completed the lasso, use the Move tool and drag the cut-out from the smaller file to the base file. You can position it anywhere you want in the base file. Close the secondary file.

Then go to the next secondary file and do the same thing. Each addition will be a new layer, and you will flatten the image at the end.

As to your white border, on the layer with the small image, click the Magic Wand in that layer, then Select>Inverse. You now have "marching ants" around your small image. Then Edit>Stroke> with white to the width you want.

*You can use other tools to make your selection.

—
Tony Cooper – Orlando, Florida

On Jun 13, 10:42 pm, tony cooper wrote:

On Sun, 13 Jun 2010 14:14:21 -0700 (PDT), Desmond

wrote:

Hi I am not a professional and am using PS7. I want to merge images. I have a large base image and want to add smaller ones inside. I have cut around some images as gif and wanted to add a few pixels (white) around them so that when I add the images they would be distinctive with the small white border.
If anyone can tell me of another way? I dont want to merge them without border as this would look poor in quality.

There are always several ways of doing anything in Photoshop.  The way I would do your project is to open your base file and open your file with the smaller image.  Go to Window>Documents>Tile and click.
That will put both images on the screen side-by-side.  Now use your Lasso tool* to cut around the part of the smaller image file.  Once you’ve completed the lasso, use the Move tool and drag the cut-out from the smaller file to the base file.  You can position it anywhere you want in the base file.  Close the secondary file.

Then go to the next secondary file and do the same thing.  Each addition will be a new layer, and you will flatten the image at the end.

As to your white border, on the layer with the small image, click the Magic Wand in that layer, then Select>Inverse.  You now have "marching ants" around your small image.  Then Edit>Stroke> with white to the width you want.

*You can use other tools to make your selection.  

—
Tony Cooper – Orlando, Florida

Thanks for this. I have had another idea but dont know how to do this. If I copy the image and enlarge it. This could be a mask mke it white? Does this make any sence.

Desmond.

Des wrote:

Thanks for this. I have had another idea but dont know how to do this. If I copy the image and enlarge it. This could be a mask mke it white?

Does this make any sence.

I get the feeling that you are making things more complicated than they need to be. If you add a small image to a bigger one by drag and drop, the small image becomes a new layer floating on top of the big image. All you need to do now is double click next to the layer icon, to bring up the layer styles dialog. In that dialog you can give the layer a stroke (an edge) of any color and any thickness you want. You can also give it a drop shadow, which looks very good in collages like this.

—
Johan W. Elzenga, Editor/Photographer, www.johanfoto.com

On Mon, 14 Jun 2010 07:18:07 -0500, Johan W. Elzenga
wrote:

Des wrote:

Thanks for this. I have had another idea but dont know how to do this. If I copy the image and enlarge it. This could be a mask mke it white?

Does this make any sence.

I get the feeling that you are making things more complicated than they need to be. If you add a small image to a bigger one by drag and drop, the small image becomes a new layer floating on top of the big image. All you need to do now is double click next to the layer icon, to bring up the layer styles dialog. In that dialog you can give the layer a stroke (an edge) of any color and any thickness you want. You can also give it a drop shadow, which looks very good in collages like this.

As I read the OP’s request, the small image is a cut-out from some other image. He may be selecting just a person’s head and dropping that into the base image.

If that’s the case, a layer stroke will result in a line around the entire layer and not just the outline of the head. He’ll have a rectangular box-like stroked insert. Making a selection of the head will be required to put the line around the head only.

—
Tony Cooper – Orlando, Florida

On Jun 14, 1:18 pm, Johan W. Elzenga wrote:

Des wrote:

Thanks for this. I have had another idea but dont know how to do this. If I copy the image and enlarge it. This could be a mask mke it white?

Does this make any sence.

I get the feeling that you are making things more complicated than they need to be. If you add a small image to a bigger one by drag and drop, the small image becomes a new layer floating on top of the big image. All you need to do now is double click next to the layer icon, to bring up the layer styles dialog. In that dialog you can give the layer a stroke (an edge) of any color and any thickness you want. You can also give it a drop shadow, which looks very good in collages like this.
—
Johan W. Elzenga, Editor/Photographer,www.johanfoto.com

Ok I have the layer style. I have ticked the box Stroke. This gives me a red border. How do I change this to white and change the thickness please.
Desmond.

On Jun 13, 10:42 pm, tony cooper wrote:

On Sun, 13 Jun 2010 14:14:21 -0700 (PDT), Desmond

wrote:

Hi I am not a professional and am using PS7. I want to merge images. I have a large base image and want to add smaller ones inside. I have cut around some images as gif and wanted to add a few pixels (white) around them so that when I add the images they would be distinctive with the small white border.
If anyone can tell me of another way? I dont want to merge them without border as this would look poor in quality.

There are always several ways of doing anything in Photoshop.  The way I would do your project is to open your base file and open your file with the smaller image.  Go to Window>Documents>Tile and click.
That will put both images on the screen side-by-side.  Now use your Lasso tool* to cut around the part of the smaller image file.  Once you’ve completed the lasso, use the Move tool and drag the cut-out from the smaller file to the base file.  You can position it anywhere you want in the base file.  Close the secondary file.

Then go to the next secondary file and do the same thing.  Each addition will be a new layer, and you will flatten the image at the end.

As to your white border, on the layer with the small image, click the Magic Wand in that layer, then Select>Inverse.  You now have "marching ants" around your small image.  Then Edit>Stroke> with white to the width you want.

*You can use other tools to make your selection.  

—
Tony Cooper – Orlando, Florida

Thanks for your help. I have got it to work. My question is if I make a copy of an image (gif) enlarge it and paint it white, why when I add the original do I not get an even border around the image. I made the copy 30 pixels wider (keeping proportions?

Desmond.

On Mon, 14 Jun 2010 06:08:51 -0700 (PDT), Des
wrote:

On Jun 13, 10:42 pm, tony cooper wrote:

On Sun, 13 Jun 2010 14:14:21 -0700 (PDT), Desmond

wrote:

Hi I am not a professional and am using PS7. I want to merge images. I have a large base image and want to add smaller ones inside. I have cut around some images as gif and wanted to add a few pixels (white) around them so that when I add the images they would be distinctive with the small white border.
If anyone can tell me of another way? I dont want to merge them without border as this would look poor in quality.

There are always several ways of doing anything in Photoshop.  The way I would do your project is to open your base file and open your file with the smaller image.  Go to Window>Documents>Tile and click.
That will put both images on the screen side-by-side.  Now use your Lasso tool* to cut around the part of the smaller image file.  Once you’ve completed the lasso, use the Move tool and drag the cut-out from the smaller file to the base file.  You can position it anywhere you want in the base file.  Close the secondary file.

Then go to the next secondary file and do the same thing.  Each addition will be a new layer, and you will flatten the image at the end.

As to your white border, on the layer with the small image, click the Magic Wand in that layer, then Select>Inverse.  You now have "marching ants" around your small image.  Then Edit>Stroke> with white to the width you want.

*You can use other tools to make your selection.  

—
Tony Cooper – Orlando, Florida

Thanks for your help. I have got it to work. My question is if I make a copy of an image (gif) enlarge it and paint it white, why when I add the original do I not get an even border around the image. I made the copy 30 pixels wider (keeping proportions?

Desmond.

I really don’t understand why you are working with a gif. For what you want to do, you need to work with a .jpg. Gifs can have transparent areas, but they lose that when brought into a .psd as a layer.

Working with a .jpg, you can bring it into the base file as a full rectangular layer or as a selection if you select in the secondary file and them move the selection to the base file.

Once you move the secondary image into the base file, you can use Free Transform to adjust the size of it. With Free Transform, you can retain proportion or change proportion.

I don’t understand the "painting it white" desire.

If the secondary file is a gif to begin with, use the Save As function and save it as a .jpg and work with that.

—
Tony Cooper – Orlando, Florida

Des wrote:

On Jun 14, 1:18 pm, Johan W. Elzenga wrote:

Des wrote:

Thanks for this. I have had another idea but dont know how to do this.
If I copy the image and enlarge it. This could be a mask mke it white?

Does this make any sence.

I get the feeling that you are making things more complicated than they
need to be. If you add a small image to a bigger one by drag and drop,
the small image becomes a new layer floating on top of the big image. All you need to do now is double click next to the layer icon, to bring
up the layer styles dialog. In that dialog you can give the layer a stroke (an edge) of any color and any thickness you want. You can also
give it a drop shadow, which looks very good in collages like this.
—
Johan W. Elzenga, Editor/Photographer,www.johanfoto.com

Ok I have the layer style. I have ticked the box Stroke. This gives me a red border. How do I change this to white and change the thickness

please.

Select the word ‘stroke’ in the left pane. That should bring up the stroke settings in the right pane. Now you can change the default red color and the default thickness. You can save this as a new preset so that next time you only have to select the preset.

—
Johan W. Elzenga, Editor/Photographer, www.johanfoto.com

On Jun 14, 3:11 pm, tony cooper wrote:

On Mon, 14 Jun 2010 06:08:51 -0700 (PDT), Des
wrote:

On Jun 13, 10:42 pm, tony cooper wrote:

On Sun, 13 Jun 2010 14:14:21 -0700 (PDT), Desmond

wrote:

Hi I am not a professional and am using PS7. I want to merge images. I have a large base image and want to add smaller ones inside. I have cut around some images as gif and wanted to add a few pixels (white) around them so that when I add the images they would be distinctive with the small white border.
If anyone can tell me of another way? I dont want to merge them without border as this would look poor in quality.

There are always several ways of doing anything in Photoshop.  The way I would do your project is to open your base file and open your file with the smaller image.  Go to Window>Documents>Tile and click.

That will put both images on the screen side-by-side.  Now use your Lasso tool* to cut around the part of the smaller image file.  Once you’ve completed the lasso, use the Move tool and drag the cut-out from the smaller file to the base file.  You can position it anywhere you want in the base file.  Close the secondary file.

Then go to the next secondary file and do the same thing.  Each addition will be a new layer, and you will flatten the image at the end.

As to your white border, on the layer with the small image, click the Magic Wand in that layer, then Select>Inverse.  You now have "marching ants" around your small image.  Then Edit>Stroke> with white to the width you want.

*You can use other tools to make your selection.  

—
Tony Cooper – Orlando, Florida

Thanks for your help. I have got it to work. My question is if I make a copy of an image (gif) enlarge it and paint it white, why when I add the original do I not get an even border around the image. I made the copy 30 pixels wider (keeping proportions?

Desmond.

I really don’t understand why you are working with a gif.  For what you want to do, you need to work with a .jpg.  Gifs can have transparent areas, but they lose that when brought into a .psd as a layer.  

Working with a .jpg, you can bring it into the base file as a full rectangular layer or as a selection if you select in the secondary file and them move the selection to the base file.

Once you move the secondary image into the base file, you can use Free Transform to adjust the size of it.  With Free Transform, you can retain proportion or change proportion.

I don’t understand the "painting it white" desire.
If the secondary file is a gif to begin with, use the Save As function and save it as a .jpg and work with that.

—
Tony Cooper – Orlando, Florida- Hide quoted text –

– Show quoted text –

The reason for using the gif is that I want the shape of a person or a car. If this was an image of a car in a car park I would have the whole image (rectangle) inserted. If I cut around the shape in a gif file then I only get the shape.

On Mon, 14 Jun 2010 07:30:26 -0700 (PDT), Des
wrote:

On Jun 14, 3:11 pm, tony cooper wrote:

On Mon, 14 Jun 2010 06:08:51 -0700 (PDT), Des
wrote:

On Jun 13, 10:42 pm, tony cooper wrote:

On Sun, 13 Jun 2010 14:14:21 -0700 (PDT), Desmond

wrote:

Hi I am not a professional and am using PS7. I want to merge images. I have a large base image and want to add smaller ones inside. I have cut around some images as gif and wanted to add a few pixels (white) around them so that when I add the images they would be distinctive with the small white border.
If anyone can tell me of another way? I dont want to merge them without border as this would look poor in quality.

There are always several ways of doing anything in Photoshop.  The way I would do your project is to open your base file and open your file with the smaller image.  Go to Window>Documents>Tile and click.

That will put both images on the screen side-by-side.  Now use your Lasso tool* to cut around the part of the smaller image file.  Once you’ve completed the lasso, use the Move tool and drag the cut-out from the smaller file to the base file.  You can position it anywhere you want in the base file.  Close the secondary file.

Then go to the next secondary file and do the same thing.  Each addition will be a new layer, and you will flatten the image at the end.

As to your white border, on the layer with the small image, click the Magic Wand in that layer, then Select>Inverse.  You now have "marching ants" around your small image.  Then Edit>Stroke> with white to the width you want.

*You can use other tools to make your selection.  

—
Tony Cooper – Orlando, Florida

Thanks for your help. I have got it to work. My question is if I make a copy of an image (gif) enlarge it and paint it white, why when I add the original do I not get an even border around the image. I made the copy 30 pixels wider (keeping proportions?

Desmond.

I really don’t understand why you are working with a gif.  For what you want to do, you need to work with a .jpg.  Gifs can have transparent areas, but they lose that when brought into a .psd as a layer.  

Working with a .jpg, you can bring it into the base file as a full rectangular layer or as a selection if you select in the secondary file and them move the selection to the base file.

Once you move the secondary image into the base file, you can use Free Transform to adjust the size of it.  With Free Transform, you can retain proportion or change proportion.

I don’t understand the "painting it white" desire.
If the secondary file is a gif to begin with, use the Save As function and save it as a .jpg and work with that.

—
Tony Cooper – Orlando, Florida- Hide quoted text –

– Show quoted text –

The reason for using the gif is that I want the shape of a person or a car. If this was an image of a car in a car park I would have the whole image (rectangle) inserted. If I cut around the shape in a gif file then I only get the shape.

You can do that with a jpeg. You open the file with the car, make a selection of the car only, then Copy (Control C). Open the base file and Paste (Control V). That puts the car selection into the base file as a new layer.

I took this sign:
http://tonycooper.smugmug.com/photos/884086236_p7YFb-L.jpg

cut out just the sign with the Polygonal Lasso tool, copied it, and pasted into a different jpeg that did not have the sign in it. I then used the Transform tool to re-size and skew the sign to fit in the window, flattened it, and saved as a jpeg for this result:

http://tonycooper.smugmug.com/photos/900800107_QRXEJ-L.jpg

No gif was used. I could have put a stroke around the sign.

With a little more care, the sign should have been skewed a bit at the top left, but I was doing a quick-and-dirty example.

—
Tony Cooper – Orlando, Florida

On Jun 14, 4:06 pm, tony cooper wrote:

On Mon, 14 Jun 2010 07:30:26 -0700 (PDT), Des
wrote:

On Jun 14, 3:11 pm, tony cooper wrote:

On Mon, 14 Jun 2010 06:08:51 -0700 (PDT), Des
wrote:

On Jun 13, 10:42 pm, tony cooper wrote:

On Sun, 13 Jun 2010 14:14:21 -0700 (PDT), Desmond

wrote:

Hi I am not a professional and am using PS7. I want to merge images. I have a large base image and want to add smaller ones inside. I have cut around some images as gif and wanted to add a few pixels (white) around them so that when I add the images they would be distinctive with the small white border.
If anyone can tell me of another way? I dont want to merge them without border as this would look poor in quality.

There are always several ways of doing anything in Photoshop. The way I would do your project is to open your base file and open your file with the smaller image. Go to Window>Documents>Tile and click.

That will put both images on the screen side-by-side. Now use your Lasso tool* to cut around the part of the smaller image file. Once you’ve completed the lasso, use the Move tool and drag the cut-out from the smaller file to the base file. You can position it anywhere you want in the base file. Close the secondary file.

Then go to the next secondary file and do the same thing. Each addition will be a new layer, and you will flatten the image at the end.

As to your white border, on the layer with the small image, click the Magic Wand in that layer, then Select>Inverse. You now have "marching ants" around your small image. Then Edit>Stroke> with white to the width you want.

*You can use other tools to make your selection.

—
Tony Cooper – Orlando, Florida

Thanks for your help. I have got it to work. My question is if I make a copy of an image (gif) enlarge it and paint it white, why when I add the original do I not get an even border around the image. I made the copy 30 pixels wider (keeping proportions?

Desmond.

I really don’t understand why you are working with a gif. For what you want to do, you need to work with a .jpg. Gifs can have transparent areas, but they lose that when brought into a .psd as a layer.

Working with a .jpg, you can bring it into the base file as a full rectangular layer or as a selection if you select in the secondary file and them move the selection to the base file.

Once you move the secondary image into the base file, you can use Free Transform to adjust the size of it. With Free Transform, you can retain proportion or change proportion.

I don’t understand the "painting it white" desire.

If the secondary file is a gif to begin with, use the Save As function and save it as a .jpg and work with that.

—
Tony Cooper – Orlando, Florida- Hide quoted text –

– Show quoted text –

The reason for using the gif is that I want the shape of a person or a car. If this was an image of a car in a car park I would have the whole image (rectangle) inserted. If I cut around the shape in a gif file then I only get the shape.

You can do that with a jpeg.  You open the file with the car, make a selection of the car only, then Copy (Control C).  Open the base file and Paste (Control V).  That puts the car selection into the base file as a new layer.  

I took this sign:http://tonycooper.smugmug.com/photos/884086236_p7YFb-L. jpg
cut out just the sign with the Polygonal Lasso tool, copied it, and pasted into a different jpeg that did not have the sign in it.  I then used the Transform tool to re-size and skew the sign to fit in the window, flattened it, and saved as a jpeg for this result:
http://tonycooper.smugmug.com/photos/900800107_QRXEJ-L.jpg
No gif was used.  I could have put a stroke around the sign.
With a little more care, the sign should have been skewed a bit at the top left, but I was doing a quick-and-dirty example.

—
Tony Cooper – Orlando, Florida- Hide quoted text –

– Show quoted text –

That is ok for a simple shape but if you fave to cut out a person going around each finger etc, I thought a transparent gif would be easyer. Gives me time to get around it. Took ages to do this as some of the background colour is close to that of the subject so cant use the fancy wand tool either.
Desmnd.

Des wrote:

On Jun 13, 10:42 pm, tony cooper wrote:

On Sun, 13 Jun 2010 14:14:21 -0700 (PDT), Desmond

wrote:

Hi I am not a professional and am using PS7. I want to merge images. I have a large base image and want to add smaller ones inside. I have cut around some images as gif and wanted to add a few pixels (white) around them so that when I add the images they would be distinctive with the small white border.
If anyone can tell me of another way? I dont want to merge them without border as this would look poor in quality.

There are always several ways of doing anything in Photoshop.  The way I would do your project is to open your base file and open your file with the smaller image.  Go to Window>Documents>Tile and click.
That will put both images on the screen side-by-side.  Now use your Lasso tool* to cut around the part of the smaller image file.  Once you’ve completed the lasso, use the Move tool and drag the cut-out from the smaller file to the base file.  You can position it anywhere you want in the base file.  Close the secondary file.

Then go to the next secondary file and do the same thing.  Each addition will be a new layer, and you will flatten the image at the end.

As to your white border, on the layer with the small image, click the Magic Wand in that layer, then Select>Inverse.  You now have "marching ants" around your small image.  Then Edit>Stroke> with white to the width you want.

*You can use other tools to make your selection.  

—
Tony Cooper – Orlando, Florida

Thanks for this. I have had another idea but dont know how to do this. If I copy the image and enlarge it. This could be a mask mke it white? Does this make any sence.

Desmond.

In general, Photoshop gives you many different ways to do the same or similar thing. And our job is learning to adapt many different techniques to come up with a very quickest, simplest, and finest result etc..

I sometime merging multiple images into a single larger canvas to create something like ads, movie poster (mostly for wedding). But I usually blend them together, not just placing multiple photos with white boarder on a larger canvas to know if there is any simpler way. But If I do then I would go for something like

1. Creating a LARGE canvas to hold the smaller photos

2. Adding the smaller photos to the LARGE CANVAS in separated LAYERS

3. Below each layer, I would create blank layer than fill with WHITE or whatever color. Then Transform or reduce the size little larger than the photo and it will become the boarder. Of course you can make a square or rectangle around the photo then fill with color.

4. Lock or Merge each group/set together so you can apply the command to both at same time. IOW, you can Move, Rotate, Resize etc. each individual group/set

That’s about it… and of course you can use your personal skill to come up with different technique.

Des wrote:

On Jun 14, 1:18 pm, Johan W. Elzenga wrote:

Des wrote:

Thanks for this. I have had another idea but dont know how to do this. If I copy the image and enlarge it. This could be a mask mke it white?

Does this make any sence.

I get the feeling that you are making things more complicated than they need to be. If you add a small image to a bigger one by drag and drop, the small image becomes a new layer floating on top of the big image. All you need to do now is double click next to the layer icon, to bring up the layer styles dialog. In that dialog you can give the layer a stroke (an edge) of any color and any thickness you want. You can also give it a drop shadow, which looks very good in collages like this.
—
Johan W. Elzenga, Editor/Photographer,www.johanfoto.com

Ok I have the layer style. I have ticked the box Stroke. This gives me a red border. How do I change this to white and change the thickness please.
Desmond.

1. You can FILL to different color

2. You can PAINT to different color

3. And better yet you can CHANGE to just about any color you wish. Photoshop has so many different ways/commands to change/adjust the color.

Just grab one of more than dozen color changing/adjusting commands (they are every where) then just SLIDING the BAR’s and you should see the wildest colors. Lets see the Hue/Sat, Color Balance, Channel Mixer, Curve, you can change in Level, Selective Color etc.. and sub-menu commands, as well as around more than Blending Modes could give you some fun with coloring too.

On Mon, 14 Jun 2010 08:35:10 -0700 (PDT), Des
wrote:

On Jun 14, 4:06 pm, tony cooper wrote:

On Mon, 14 Jun 2010 07:30:26 -0700 (PDT), Des
wrote:

On Jun 14, 3:11 pm, tony cooper wrote:

On Mon, 14 Jun 2010 06:08:51 -0700 (PDT), Des
wrote:

On Jun 13, 10:42 pm, tony cooper wrote:

On Sun, 13 Jun 2010 14:14:21 -0700 (PDT), Desmond

wrote:

Hi I am not a professional and am using PS7. I want to merge images. I have a large base image and want to add smaller ones inside. I have cut around some images as gif and wanted to add a few pixels (white) around them so that when I add the images they would be distinctive with the small white border.
If anyone can tell me of another way? I dont want to merge them without border as this would look poor in quality.

There are always several ways of doing anything in Photoshop. The way I would do your project is to open your base file and open your file with the smaller image. Go to Window>Documents>Tile and click.

That will put both images on the screen side-by-side. Now use your Lasso tool* to cut around the part of the smaller image file. Once you’ve completed the lasso, use the Move tool and drag the cut-out from the smaller file to the base file. You can position it anywhere you want in the base file. Close the secondary file.

Then go to the next secondary file and do the same thing. Each addition will be a new layer, and you will flatten the image at the end.

As to your white border, on the layer with the small image, click the Magic Wand in that layer, then Select>Inverse. You now have "marching ants" around your small image. Then Edit>Stroke> with white to the width you want.

*You can use other tools to make your selection.

—
Tony Cooper – Orlando, Florida

Thanks for your help. I have got it to work. My question is if I make a copy of an image (gif) enlarge it and paint it white, why when I add the original do I not get an even border around the image. I made the copy 30 pixels wider (keeping proportions?

Desmond.

I really don’t understand why you are working with a gif. For what you want to do, you need to work with a .jpg. Gifs can have transparent areas, but they lose that when brought into a .psd as a layer.

Working with a .jpg, you can bring it into the base file as a full rectangular layer or as a selection if you select in the secondary file and them move the selection to the base file.

Once you move the secondary image into the base file, you can use Free Transform to adjust the size of it. With Free Transform, you can retain proportion or change proportion.

I don’t understand the "painting it white" desire.

If the secondary file is a gif to begin with, use the Save As function and save it as a .jpg and work with that.

—
Tony Cooper – Orlando, Florida- Hide quoted text –

– Show quoted text –

The reason for using the gif is that I want the shape of a person or a car. If this was an image of a car in a car park I would have the whole image (rectangle) inserted. If I cut around the shape in a gif file then I only get the shape.

You can do that with a jpeg.  You open the file with the car, make a selection of the car only, then Copy (Control C).  Open the base file and Paste (Control V).  That puts the car selection into the base file as a new layer.  

I took this sign:http://tonycooper.smugmug.com/photos/884086236_p7YFb-L. jpg
cut out just the sign with the Polygonal Lasso tool, copied it, and pasted into a different jpeg that did not have the sign in it.  I then used the Transform tool to re-size and skew the sign to fit in the window, flattened it, and saved as a jpeg for this result:
http://tonycooper.smugmug.com/photos/900800107_QRXEJ-L.jpg
No gif was used.  I could have put a stroke around the sign.
With a little more care, the sign should have been skewed a bit at the top left, but I was doing a quick-and-dirty example.

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Tony Cooper – Orlando, Florida- Hide quoted text –

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That is ok for a simple shape but if you fave to cut out a person going around each finger etc, I thought a transparent gif would be easyer. Gives me time to get around it. Took ages to do this as some of the background colour is close to that of the subject so cant use the fancy wand tool either.
Desmnd.

I really don’t understand people like you. You ask a question, someone goes to the trouble of explaining how what you want to do can be done, and you come back with an argument.

There is absolutely *no* reason to use a .gif in this exercise. None.

The problem in making a selection of a rectangular sign compared to making a selection of a person or a more complex subject is one of which tool to use to make the selection.

The Lasso tool is adequate for simple objects. The Magic Wand isolates objects when there is a contrast between the object and the background. For complex objects, you have to use the Pen tool, Quick Mask, or a Layer Mask. Personally, I prefer the Layer Mask technique.

Your project is a two-stage exercise. The first stage is making the selection in the secondary image. There are numerous tutorials online that teach you how to use the various tools for this purpose. I’d suggest learning to use the Quick Mask or the Layer Mask technique because they allow you to brush over your mistakes (changing the brush from white to black which changes the brush from removing to putting what you’ve removed back).

The second stage is to move the selection from one file to the base file and re-sizing it with the Transform edit and moving it to position with the Move tool. That’s been explained.

In neither step do you get any advantage in working with a .gif. It doesn’t give you "more time".

I’m outta here. I have no more time for arguments.

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Tony Cooper – Orlando, Florida

Des wrote:

That is ok for a simple shape but if you fave to cut out a person going around each finger etc, I thought a transparent gif would be easyer. Gives me time to get around it. Took ages to do this as some of the background colour is close to that of the subject so cant use the fancy wand tool either.
Desmnd.

If GIF is easier or a better choice then you should have seen more people recommended GIF to you before you started asking the question.

And at this point, or your current level and willingly to learn, it sounds like you are talking about MASKING (or similar), and I would say. It would take at least

– Few months *if* you have some talent and knowing how to listen and learn what you really need to learn.

– Few years if you are slow learner, and enjoying some arguing now and then. And it may take forever if you enjoy arguing more than learning.

Masking is a higher level skill which requires you to know some basic quite well to start this level.

"Joe" wrote in message

Des wrote:

That is ok for a simple shape but if you fave to cut out a person going around each finger etc, I thought a transparent gif would be easyer. Gives me time to get around it. Took ages to do this as some of the background colour is close to that of the subject so cant use the fancy wand tool either.
Desmnd.

If GIF is easier or a better choice then you should have seen more people recommended GIF to you before you started asking the question.
And at this point, or your current level and willingly to learn, it sounds like you are talking about MASKING (or similar), and I would say. It would
take at least

– Few months *if* you have some talent and knowing how to listen and learn what you really need to learn.

– Few years if you are slow learner, and enjoying some arguing now and then.
And it may take forever if you enjoy arguing more than learning.
Masking is a higher level skill which requires you to know some basic quite well to start this level.

they are right- if your cut-out is not perfect when you add a stroke or other effect it will look jagged and show all the imperfections

advice on making good selections is on line everywhere- it’s an essential skill for quality result
using MASK allows changes as you go along- so it is better than transparent gif
many tools are not active when you work in gif (indexed color mode)

you can try to save your bad cutout by using the feather option in selection try to soften the edges a little and then add the stroke sometimes you can make it look a little nicer and smoother

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