Is there a way to use the pen/shape tools to cut out a photo in XX5?

**jimhanus** · 02 April 2010, 08:08 PM

Is there a way that the pen tool or shape editor tools can be used to edit a photo? I have a photo of a car that I need to remove the background and only have the car visible (to be made into a wall graphic). I currently use PaintShop Pro but I'm not having a lot of luck with that program doing this, and wondered if there was a way to do it in XX5.
Thanks,

Jim

**zaphodeist** · 02 April 2010, 08:20 PM

Zoom in a little and make your way round the bit you want to cut out [I prefer the shape editor tool] until the ends meet up. There will then be a black shape, select this and the picture then Arrange >> Combine Shapes >> Intersect shapes. Feather a little bit. Egg has done this video

**steve.ledger** · 02 April 2010, 08:23 PM

Also here's a chap using the freehand tool to do the same thing.

**jimhanus** · 03 April 2010, 01:42 AM

Thanks. I'll give that a try.

Jim

**Karateed** · 03 April 2010, 02:55 AM

It's pretty easy Jim. I did this one in less than 5 minutes the first time I tried....and I'm no genius...yet!

I used the second video which is shorter than Egg's however either video is more than acceptable for this process.

**Intbel** · 03 April 2010, 04:09 AM

Hi Jim, here is some encouragement.

**jimhanus** · 03 April 2010, 09:50 AM

Thanks everyone. Once I see the technique and the steps to follow it's not as difficult as I thought.

Jim

**Karateed** · 03 April 2010, 05:17 PM

Isn't Xara wonderful....my wife wanted a graphic 'cleaned' up in the middle. There was some fiddly bits and this type of method worked but sort of in reverse. It took me probably 1/2 hour to do....I love this program.....

I've attached the results, also the original, gold-image-1.jpg, the one with the gold in the middle.