Removing Backdrop from photo?

[contango]

Hi everyone,
I love my xara,i've been learning the software for a month now.
I'm following the book but i can not find a certain function. I want to remove the back drop of a page that i've scaned.I'm talking abut the white back drop from the paper that i did my drawing. Also the back drop of a photo i down loaded from the internet. Is there a way to remove the back drop and keep the print only. I tried crop, but it only crops the whole photo.

Thank For Your Help
Contango

[abligh]

Hi everyone,
I love my xara,i've been learning the software for a month now.
I'm following the book but i can not find a certain function. I want to remove the back drop of a page that i've scaned.I'm talking abut the white back drop from the paper that i did my drawing. Also the back drop of a photo i down loaded from the internet. Is there a way to remove the back drop and keep the print only. I tried crop, but it only crops the whole photo.

Thank For Your Help
Contango

The easiest way is to trace around it by hand (using the shape editor to do this is easier than the freehand tool, believe if or not). Then select your outline, and the photo, and do Arrange->Combine Shapes->Intersect Shapes. After you've done that you can tidy things up with the freehand tool - move to above the outline and you'll see a "+" appear on the cursor. You can then redraw any bits that are done wrong.

Then perhaps feather it a bit.

Alex

[masque]

Draw around object either with the pencil tool, or easier the pen tool.
Fill shape you create around object in photograph.
Select filled shape and phot then >arrange >combine >intersect shapes, which cuts out the photo.

[Seagull]

If the background is pure white, try the plugin Mehdi and choose the eraser classic. Some people out there consider plugins as cheating but Popeye and myself don't hold this view, not at all, no sir, love those plugins. Mind you, on the above photo you just may have some pink gums floating aound in free space....white is white after all and that's what it's erasing......frank

[AntonyF]

Please always remember the search engine. You will probably find answers are already there.

A very quick search brings up a few topics that look relevant:

Transparent Background on an existing graphic
Help Seperating Picture From SingleColor Background
How can I remove a background behind a persons photo?
Picture Background

[contango]

Thank You for the quick replies. I'm going to try all the suggestions.
This will help alot with some practice i'll be able to edit more quickly.


Thank You
Contango

[contango]

Anthon F ,that is exactly what i was looking for. I'm going to do some reading and try to print the forums you posted.

Cheers
Contango

[Egg Bramhill]

Contango,

If you have a broadband connection you might try here