Image Cutting & etc...

[Jeranon]

Alrighty! So... I'm new. I figure this is as good of a place for a first post as any.
Attached is an image and a .xar file (the image being the exported .jpg from the .xar).
What I'd like to see is if there is a quicker way to do what has been done to this image than what I've done. The image is a picture of a sunflower. It's had extensive tracing done around it to produce the masks that you see. I'd like to see what other people are able to come up with. I've got example after example of images that I've had to do some serious tracing and cutting, and... I'd like to see what you guys out there have!
So lemme see whatcha got guys.
Use any image you like, use my image... whatever works for you. If you are willing, please include the .xar so everyone can benefit from your methods.
Thanx!
Jer

[Egg Bramhill]

Welcome to Talk Graphics Jeranon.

How about a sunflower of sunflowers.

[raynerj1]

[PussInBoots]

I gotta say the third suggestion from raynerj1 looks pretty stylish

[raynerj1]

Why Thank You...

[RTK]

What I'd like to see is if there is a quicker way to do what has been done to this image than what I've done.

Jer, I'm not at all clear on what you are looking for? Egg and Mike peformed masking and cloning techniques, and John placed the image under some frames (very different things...)

You state that you are looking for a quicker way to "do what has been done to this image than what I've done." I would assume it would help to know what you have done - in order for members to figure out if it can be done quicker? You extracted the flower from the background, and you want to know the best way it can be done?

No? Please do clarify as I'm not getting it at all.

Risto

[Jeranon]

O.o wow, I'm actually quite surprised I did get responses! And beautiful work. I guess, what I'm looking for exactly, is if you open up the .xar file that I posted w/ this, you can see extensive image tracing... tracing that took an hour (or three). Frankly, it's very time consuming... I haven't used PS much, but I do remember they have some sort of an outlining tool... is there anything like that? or do others, like me, have to trace around every curve, every bump... And :-D If others are as detailed... I guess, I'd really like to see their work too! That kind of image tracing deserves recognition... Here's another one for your perusal... this took just short of forever to make... Enjoy!

[salaam]

Employing the 'feather tool' can save you a lot of time.

You have done a lot of detailed work trying to eliminate the unwanted background.
By using outline feathering, you can make a poorly cut-out image look very accurate as its edges will merge into the background creating a new, natural looking background.

► Cut-out your chosen image, including a little of the background, using the 'pen tool'.
● Quickly click around the image.
● 'Intersect' shape.
● Then apply the outline 'feathering' as much as you can get away with.
● Now use the 'shape editor tool' to remove the background.

[Jeranon]

that is very clever! I'll give that a try... yeah, it adds for a nice smooth transition... cool

[raynerj1]

Personally, I use the shape editor. I just zoom in, click and bend the line. This slice and dice took about 15 minutes. The bottom shot is the original background.