erasing backgrounds

[ssg2003]

Fellow Uleaders,

What's the best way to remove a background from a photo? You know, the way the pros do so that it appears as if there is only the desired object left that can then be layered on another image. I have used the eraser tool but always seem to erase some of the object when gettig too close to the object lines. I am fairly new at graphics if you haven't figured that out by now.

All suggestions welcome.

Thanks,
Steve

[ssg2003]

Fellow Uleaders,

What's the best way to remove a background from a photo? You know, the way the pros do so that it appears as if there is only the desired object left that can then be layered on another image. I have used the eraser tool but always seem to erase some of the object when gettig too close to the object lines. I am fairly new at graphics if you haven't figured that out by now.

All suggestions welcome.

Thanks,
Steve

[tom c]

You might try the LASSO tool .Lasso your object /copy /paste....then erase ...
Merge and cropping might be a way on some photos.
I think there is a selection way also...not to sure about that...

tom...

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[MaryLouW]

This is pretty easy.. and there are a number of ways to do it. Check out this tutorial called -Blended Images it cuts a person out of one image and puts them into another.

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[ssg2003]

Mary Lou,

Thanks for that tutorial. I have searched for good tut on this subject, but most have been somewhat complicated. This one is well written and easy to follow.

Best,
Steve

[sallybode]

A fool proof way of getting rid of a background is using a mask. There is an icon on your standard left hand toolbar. Start with a rough selection, then click on the mask. If you use the default color you will see a semi-transparent white mask over what you did not select. You can then paint with either white or black to add to or subtract from the mask. By reclicking on the mask button, you will see your selection. Now if you copy and then click on "New Image" and select the following: Transparent for "Canvas Color" and "Active Image" for your image size, you will get a transparent canvas exactly the same size as the image you were just editing and you already have a transparent background, you do not need then to delete anything.

[MaryLouW]

I also have a tutorial for eliminating the background using a mask but didn't post it because most people shake in their boots when they hear that a mask is used. Steve, if you want to try that method, you can find the tutorial Here.

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[sallybode]

I know, even though you may know what you have learned, it really gives you a perspective on what you'd like to learn and still don't know. That queasy-feeling sometimes makes me a wanna-be techkno-phobe. Your tutorial is very clear, in fact it's where I learned how to do masks in PI. I got PI in order to do some very difficult photo restoration that even Photoshop 7 lacked the tools I needed to match the vision in my head. I did most of the job in PI. The client was very well-pleased. I'm currently building a site with some tutorials on what I learned in the process. May I put a link to your site for your tutorials?

[MaryLouW]

Sally, links are always welcome! If they help people to learn, then I'm a happy camper. http://www.talkgraphics.com/images/smilies/smile.gif

If you do write any tutorials, I would appreciate knowing about it so it can be added to the PIRC tutorial search engine. That is pretty well up to date and it's a great way for people to find your tuts.

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