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03/21/2006 06:38:06 PM · #1 |
Is the Magnetic Lasso the best way to cut out an image from a picture ?
Thanks for the help !
kopa21 |
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03/21/2006 06:40:16 PM · #2 |
It's one way. Others include using the layer mask to allow the use of many tools to create the 'cut out'.
This option gives more options and also is 'non destructive'. |
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03/23/2006 11:57:04 AM · #3 |
| i prefer the pen tool and then using mask for those fiddly bits :) |
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03/23/2006 12:00:39 PM · #4 |
Originally posted by Bobster:
i prefer the pen tool and then using mask for those fiddly bits :) |
Yeah, the pen tool is the best
then go to your paths pallet and convert to a selection... |
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03/23/2006 12:00:49 PM · #5 |
It's a very convienient way to do it if there is a large color difference between what you are cutting out and what you are cutting it out of (if that makes sense). So if you have a black background and say a dark shirt or dark hair, it won't be nearly as accurate as a white background with the dark shirt and/or dark hair. Like front_element said, it is also a destructive tool, so make sure you have a back up copy in case something happens and you want to start over.
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03/23/2006 12:02:42 PM · #6 |
| Select>Color Range is a pretty handy tool too, assuming there's a large enough difference in you b/g and subject... |
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03/23/2006 12:03:54 PM · #7 |
Originally posted by kopa21:
Is the Magnetic Lasso the best way to cut out an image from a picture ?
Thanks for the help !
kopa21 |
Sometimes... is the best answer to the question. I use it quite a bit, I often feather the selection by 1 pixel to smooth it a bit.
If it gets messy though, the eraser tool comes in quite handy.
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03/23/2006 12:08:00 PM · #8 |
| Magnetic lasso, (just used it 5 min ago for a website...) is good for areas with high contrast and sharp edges, you get into selecting hair or branches on a tree in the distance, its not so hot. |
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03/23/2006 12:13:06 PM · #9 |
| no doubt about it - the PEN tool is best |
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03/23/2006 12:18:09 PM · #10 |
Can anyone explain to me how to use the pen tool to do this? Bit of a newbie to Photoshop.
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03/23/2006 12:20:43 PM · #11 |
Oops, read the last post wrong, sorry. I don't know how to do it with the pen so I'd like to know as well...
Message edited by author 2006-03-23 12:30:32.
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03/23/2006 01:49:35 PM · #12 |
Originally posted by kopa21:
Is the Magnetic Lasso the best way to cut out an image from a picture ? |
Another way in PS7 is "Filter->Extract" to trim something from an image. It is intended to extract an object from it's background. It is Adobe's solution for this problem and works with varying degrees of success... just like the other methods mentioned.
It is a little complicated and you will want to review Adobe's help. I looked but could not find a decent online tutorial that I would recommend.
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03/23/2006 02:23:43 PM · #13 |
I prefer to mask objects using an alpha channel/layer mask. I usually use the lasso tool and fill for the major areas, and paint in the rest with a soft-edged brush (tablet/stylus is great for this). Zoom in close and it's very accurate and pre-feathered.
The selection is saved in the alpha channel, and it can also be converted into a path. You would generally do this if you were preparing the image for use in a subsequent, composite layout with other images, and you want to place it on top of another object. IN that case, you need a "clipping path" to allow the lower image to show past the top image where it would have originally been white.
The Pen tool works pretty much the same as in Illustrator, FreeHand, CorelDraw, and other illustration programs. It creates anchor points and lines between them known as Bezier Curves, which are described as a mathematical formula (fortunately invisibly to us!), rather than as a set of color values for specific pixels as in a photo or bitmap image.
Successive clicks with the Pen will create points joined by straight lines. if you click-drag the mouse as you create the anchor point, you'll create a curved segment between that point and the previous/next one; the shape of that arc is controlled by moving around the two "handles" you'll see radiating from the anchor point, tangentally to the curved line segment. |
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03/23/2006 03:02:23 PM · #14 |
You can convert any selection into a path, and any path into a selection, using the paths palette in PS. This means that you can use any combination of lassos and amrquees to rough-select the areas you want to work on, then convert to path and fine-tune using the bezier curves, then convert back to selection. This is generally what I do.
Robt.
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03/23/2006 03:29:40 PM · #15 |
Photoshop 7 here
Pen tool (anyone please correct me or chime in)
to create a path around the object you want to select with the pen tool
click and drag and you will notice your path changes shape and two handles form as your dropping your points along the path.
-If you hold down the ctrl key and click/drag a point you can move that point
-If you hold down the alt key and hover over a handle bar the tool will change to the convert point tool and you can manupulate that side of the curve
once you have your path created go to the path pallette in photoshop, make sure your path is selected in the paths window
right click the path (in the paths pallette) choose convert to selection or at the bottom of the paths pallette is an icon for convert to selection
there are extensive help files in photoshop, go to help and search for paths or pen tool and it will give you more insight. |
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03/25/2006 08:12:21 PM · #16 |
| easiest way to use the pen tool as a new user is to put a straight line from one side of a curve to the other and then add a 3rd point when you've finished going all the way around the object - the 3rd point will automatically have the bezier and all u need to do is pull the curve out the edge of your picture :) the pen tool will save you the headache of acidentally ending your lasso selection early and having to start your hard work all over again.. |
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03/25/2006 08:13:25 PM · #17 |
Originally posted by goldenhawkofky:
right click the path (in the paths pallette) choose convert to selection or at the bottom of the paths pallette is an icon for convert to selection |
control / command click on the path will do the same ;) |
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03/27/2006 08:24:26 AM · #18 |
Originally posted by Bobster:
the pen tool will save you the headache of acidentally ending your lasso selection early and having to start your hard work all over again.. |
Photoshop Tip.
If you mess up on your selection with the lasso, all is not lost, you can
A. add to the selection by holding down the shift key and starting to draw with the lasso again or
B. take away from your selection by holding down the alt key and starting to draw
this will work with any of the selection tools |
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03/27/2006 12:24:30 PM · #19 |
Originally posted by goldenhawkofky:
Photoshop Tip.
If you mess up on your selection with the lasso, all is not lost, you can
A. add to the selection by holding down the shift key and starting to draw with the lasso again or
B. take away from your selection by holding down the alt key and starting to draw
this will work with any of the selection tools |
ok you do that on a complex object and see how quick u get P1ssed off when you've managed to do that a couple of times, and you'll be forever tweeking the selection - where as the pen tool is accurate from the start and then only minor tweeking is needed in some cases :) |
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03/27/2006 01:34:22 PM · #20 |
Originally posted by Bobster:
Originally posted by goldenhawkofky:
Photoshop Tip.
If you mess up on your selection with the lasso, all is not lost, you can
A. add to the selection by holding down the shift key and starting to draw with the lasso again or
B. take away from your selection by holding down the alt key and starting to draw
this will work with any of the selection tools |
ok you do that on a complex object and see how quick u get P1ssed off when you've managed to do that a couple of times, and you'll be forever tweeking the selection - where as the pen tool is accurate from the start and then only minor tweeking is needed in some cases :) |
I agree, and would not use it for that myself but that technique still has some very good uses, say for instance you have several unwanted spots on a white background and a main shape you want to keep, you can select one of the spots and then start adding to the selection until you have them all selected then make one cut or fill to get rid of the spots
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you have what you think is a solid background color and try to use your magic wand to select but only half of what you want gets selected, instead of deselecting and adding a higher number to your magic wand tolerance you can add to your selection by holding down shift and clicking the spot that did not get selected
its just another way of doing things, thats the beauty of photoshop
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