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DPChallenge Forums >> Hardware and Software >> ReMask - is this really possible?
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 06/09/2011 05:19:49 PM · #1


This photo was in an email I received from Topaz, offering me a free upgrade for my "Re-Mask" program.

I am having a VERY hard time believing that something like this could really be done.

Is it really possible to select that veil in all its various shades (white-ish, grey-ish, blue-ish, etc) without getting the green-ish background at all?
 06/09/2011 05:37:55 PM · #2
If its genuine then THATS impressive.
 06/09/2011 05:37:58 PM · #3
Originally posted by Beetle:


This photo was in an email I received from Topaz, offering me a free upgrade for my "Re-Mask" program.

I am having a VERY hard time believing that something like this could really be done.

Is it really possible to select that veil in all its various shades (white-ish, grey-ish, blue-ish, etc) without getting the green-ish background at all?


Yes, it is and there are videos on their site that go through it step by step. I have both the OnOneSoftware full suite which includes Mask Pro and the full Topaz Plugin Suite which include this program ReMask.

The technology behind both these programs is based on color selection and not just on masking or trying to select cut edges out etc.

Basically, you have two palettes. One for colors or shades you want to keep, and one for those that you want to lose. In this case you would want to lose the green and blues etc. under the veil.

The key to both programs is to move around the edges of the subjects you want to keep sampling local areas as you move around it. You just don't sample images in the photo and start masking because the HSL and RGB values of the edge colors shift slightly and might not be apparent to the naked eye. I believe there is a tolerance level that you can set or gets calculated based on your keep and lose palettes.

As with anything of this nature it takes a little practice, but once you get the feel of the palettes and tools along with a feel of when and where to sample it's extremely effective and nothing really matches the results.

Dave

Message edited by author 2011-06-09 17:43:26.
 06/09/2011 05:38:31 PM · #4
Originally posted by Beetle:


This photo was in an email I received from Topaz, offering me a free upgrade for my "Re-Mask" program.

I am having a VERY hard time believing that something like this could really be done.

Is it really possible to select that veil in all its various shades (white-ish, grey-ish, blue-ish, etc) without getting the green-ish background at all?


I'd say it is possible, because I have seen a live demonstration of this in some seminar using OnOne's Mask Pro. This is the official page for the OnOne's product:

//www.ononesoftware.com/products/suite/mask-pro/?ind

A link that has Before and After pics of a bride's veil being extracted:

//www.photoshopsupport.com/photoshop-blog/10/cs5-03/mask-pro-review.html

edit: DCNUTTER beat me to it :)

Message edited by author 2011-06-09 17:43:17.
 06/09/2011 05:42:19 PM · #5
Here is a link to a tutorial on the Topaz site showing how they effectively mask the background away from strands of hair etc. I do remember seeing one where they did a bridal veil as well. Just a manner of searching for it.

ReMask Tutorial Sample

ETA: I found a tutorial for the bridal veil in PDF form right below the video. :)

Bridal Veil PDF Tutorial

Dave

Message edited by author 2011-06-09 17:46:19.
 06/09/2011 10:59:51 PM · #6
Thank you very much for your answers, links and all.

Problem is I still feel skeptical and I guess I was hoping for someone to say that yes, they had achieved exactly that themselves.

My own attempts were nowhere near as impressive, so I was looking for a shining example to follow, one who doesn't own the company.

But I appreciate your answers nevertheless.
 06/09/2011 11:25:27 PM · #7
Karin, why does a person not have to own the company or be an employee in order to believe in a product when you can see what they are doing in a tutorial or on any webinar that they have? That's a bit confusing to me. The product works and works well, but as I mentioned in my first post it does take a little practice for some of the more detailed stuff, but much easier than doing it traditional ways in Photoshop. I would even call it a God send to many people that need it on a regular basis.

I think the real question you are asking is can the average user get the same results from the product that the employees of the company gets, and the answer is yes...they can...and you can.

I recommend downloading a trial of the software, watching a couple of tutorials and just practicing a bit and you will see how easy it can be when you get a feel for it. If I have time I'll find a similar photo and see what I can do to help. :)

Dave

06/10/2011 03:19:58 AM · #8
I am always skeptical about these things - this kind of demonstration reminds me of when Adobe were showcasing their content aware fill feature - we all remember the video where the road was removed and replaced with scrubland - when in reality, no matter how much I tried using it, I never achieved results that were of `production` standard - sure it was fun for holiday snaps and such, but as a serious processing tool it seemed like just as much hassle as the old ways. Its obvious that the photos are picked carefully so as to showcase the software - but in a realworld environment the tools are generally reduced to gimmicks.

Not throwing this out there just to cause argument, but more of a reflection on past experiences with `magic button` processing tools.
 06/10/2011 03:51:24 AM · #9
Dave, I thank you again.
In answer to your question, Mark (Simms) summed it up quite nicely..... what he said is exactly what I'm trying to say.

I already own the software and have played with it. On easy images (i.e. clear edges, good contrast, etc) it works very well. On hair, for example, it took a LOT more effort.

On anything as difficult as the example I posted, I can NOT get the same results.
Granted, I could have tried harder and longer. Granted, I am NO expert and I am a tad impatient at times.

But instead of wasting endless energy on something that is a bit of a marketing gimmick (i.e a trick) rather than reality, I was asking this wonderful community for feedback.

If someone (better still two or more someones) tells me that yes, they have successfully duplicated something much like the example posted, then I will just take that as a hint that I need to try harder.

Until someone says it can be done (it may never be easy, but should be VERY possible), I shall remain skeptical.
Why don't I simply believe what I see in a tutorial created by that company? I am sure you already know the answer to that, anyway. But if you feel up to the challenge of convincing me/us via a similar image that YOU worked on, I'll happily take that on board and have words with myself about making a bigger effort and such.
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