KnockOut seems to Work

**jclements** · 20 October 2005, 05:48 AM

I just did a simple test with KnockOut on a bitmap with Alpha and it seems to work.

Anyone have KnockOut and tried to use it with Xtreme?

**molucca** · 20 October 2005, 11:58 AM

I copied a knockout.8bf file into the Xtreme folder for easy finding. I worked for me. I didn't try a perfect extraction, but I did get an alpha channel graphic. the graphic had a lot of additional transparent space. Rich

**jclements** · 22 October 2005, 04:55 PM

I now have an Eraser Tool for a Bitmap in Xara, iust use the one in KnockOut without having to go to PhotoShop or Photo Paint :)

Something I have long awaited as a "feature" in Xara.

Great for those that own KnockOut already.

I wondered if there is another smaller (less overhead), less expensive plugin which has feathering options for the nib and doesn't "lock" the Xara object it is applied to

**bal** · 24 October 2005, 01:24 PM

Hi,

Do you need photoshop to get the eraser tool and knockout?

If not - where can I get them?

Thanks.

Regards,
Bal

**StevenWWinters** · 24 October 2005, 01:29 PM

Originally Posted by bal

Do you need photoshop to get the eraser tool and knockout?
If not - where can I get them?

I believe they are refering to Corel Knockout. Don't know which version though. You can find out more here: http://www.corel.com/servlet/Satelli...=1047022702205

**bal** · 25 October 2005, 05:17 AM

Thanks Steven.

You know seems like this would be a natural for Xara XTreme.
With all the power it has (it's currently my graphics program
of choice), this seems like a glaring omission.

Ahh well, I guess the search for the *perfect* tool
continues.

Kind Regards,
Bal

**snicho** · 25 October 2005, 03:15 PM

Had a quick look at the KnockOut plugin. It appears to automatically cutout/etch/mask an image from its background. This feature is something I have also looked for in the past. eg. extract an object from a photo.

Does anyone know of another (lower cost) plugin that achieves this functionality?

**snicho** · 26 October 2005, 08:44 AM

After a further dig around on the net, I found the following:

http://vision.graphicon.ru/soft/en/GrowCut/

This plugin would appear to take a very good approach to achieving the type of result I have been looking for (and it's freeware). However, it doesn't work with Xtream.

It is supplied as a .8bs file (once you extract using the install), but all the other plugins provided with Xtream are .8bf

What's the difference? (renaming the extension just generated an error)

In the meantime, I'll keep looking for a cutout plugin.

**covoxer** · 26 October 2005, 09:33 AM

.8BS are not Filter plug-ins but Selection plug-ins. They can not modify edited image, but they can create/edit current selection mask. Just like Lasso tool or whatever.
.8BF are Filter plug-ins that can change edited image in anyway they need.

BTW, 8BS are supported only by Photoshop, at least I do not know any other software (not Adobe) that can use them.

P.S. Have you tried Mehdi Eraser Classic plug-in supplied with Extreme? Doesn't it help?

**snicho** · 26 October 2005, 01:06 PM

Thanks for the clarification John.

Yes, the Mehdi Eraser plug-in is what got me thinking along these lines again. Trouble is that it is difficult to get good (or quick) results when the background is made up of complex shapes and colours.