Removing background & otherwise "fixing" a photo

[gwpriester]

See this old Xara Xone Workbook (Method 2 further down the page) http://www.xaraxone.com/webxealot/workbook36/page_4.htm

And see this Workbook article Drawing with the Shape Tool http://www.xaraxone.com/webxealot/wo...workbook_2.htm

What you need to do is create an accurate outline around the image using the Shape Tool. I like to draw with the Make Line option enabled, and create a series of connected straight line segments. Then I use the Shape Tool to drag the line segments into curves. The last point of the outline has to connect with the first and this will create a solid filled shape.

Place the shape (mask) behind the photo (Arrange > Send to Back) and with the mask still selected, hold down the Shift key to select the photo.

Then from the Arrange menu, select Apply Clipview.

The attached XAR files shows the results.