Post by Darth Rosenburg on Jul 15, 2006 3:19:29 GMT -5
Now I could explain to you the way I did it when I first started (which may be easier for beginners), or I can tell you the more accurate way of using the tools.
Currently, I use Adobe Photoshop CS2 -- but this tutorial should help with any Adobe Photoshop users.
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When I first began using Adobe Photoshop, I would screen the pictures I was using and use the paint tool (set on black) and paint out the parts of the image I didn't want...essentially cutting of the pictures with the paint tool.
Now-a-days, I have a much better approach. There are many different tools you can use to cut out an image, though mainly I use the lasso or magic wand tools. There are different options with the lasso tool, such as the lasso, the polygonal lasso, and the magnetic lasso. They allow you to click points around the image and in the end surround the image in points. Once surrounded, you can select the area around it and delete the unwanted background, leaving the character or image of the picture cut out the way you like it.
Using the Lasso tool (polygonal):
STEP 1: Select one of the lasso tools. I recommend the polygonal lasso, as it is my most perferred
STEP 2: Pick a starting point as close to the image you would like to cut out as possible, without leaving extra space between it and the background and not cutting out part of the image itself.
STEP 3: Begin clicking around the image you would like to cut out, tracing it with the lasso tool. Remember where you started.
STEP 4: Press the backspace or delete key and the background should be gone, leaving the image you want by itself.
STEP 5: Right click to give you more options of what you may now do with your selected image and click on 'Layer via Copy'. This will create a new layer with your cut out image only and will be ready for use in the graphics you are making.
Note: Adding and Subtracting to a cut out image is easy.
*If you have missed part of your selected image that you are trying to cut out simple stay in the lasso tool and make sure that the moving dotted lines around your image are still there. Then hold down the Shift key. A small + should appear next to you cursor. While holding down the Shift key, trace around the part that you missed and release the key/mouse button when finished. This should than add to the image what you had missed before.
*If you need to remove part of the selected image that you are trying to cut out follow the same steps, but this time hold down the Alt key. A small - should appear next to you cursor.
Using the Magic Wand tool:
Best to use with a solid background (most commonly black or white)
STEP 1: Select the magic wand tool.
STEP 2: Click on the background color that you would like removed, so that only the image remains. The same moving dotted line should appear around the your pallette, excluding your image that you want cut out.
STEP 3: Right click to give you more options of what you may now do with your selected image and click on 'Select Inverse'. This will change the moving dotted line from having the background selected to having the image selected.
STEP 4: Right click to give you more options of what you may now do with your selected image and click on 'Layer via Copy'. This will create a new layer with your cut out image only and will be ready for use in the graphics you are making.
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I hope this helped. Not sure how well I explained everything. It's different to talk about it while showing it on screen, than to explaining it through type. If there are anyt questions, please feel free to ask and I will answer them the best I can.
Good luck in future projects!
Currently, I use Adobe Photoshop CS2 -- but this tutorial should help with any Adobe Photoshop users.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
When I first began using Adobe Photoshop, I would screen the pictures I was using and use the paint tool (set on black) and paint out the parts of the image I didn't want...essentially cutting of the pictures with the paint tool.
Now-a-days, I have a much better approach. There are many different tools you can use to cut out an image, though mainly I use the lasso or magic wand tools. There are different options with the lasso tool, such as the lasso, the polygonal lasso, and the magnetic lasso. They allow you to click points around the image and in the end surround the image in points. Once surrounded, you can select the area around it and delete the unwanted background, leaving the character or image of the picture cut out the way you like it.
Using the Lasso tool (polygonal):
STEP 1: Select one of the lasso tools. I recommend the polygonal lasso, as it is my most perferred
STEP 2: Pick a starting point as close to the image you would like to cut out as possible, without leaving extra space between it and the background and not cutting out part of the image itself.
STEP 3: Begin clicking around the image you would like to cut out, tracing it with the lasso tool. Remember where you started.
STEP 4: Press the backspace or delete key and the background should be gone, leaving the image you want by itself.
STEP 5: Right click to give you more options of what you may now do with your selected image and click on 'Layer via Copy'. This will create a new layer with your cut out image only and will be ready for use in the graphics you are making.
Note: Adding and Subtracting to a cut out image is easy.
*If you have missed part of your selected image that you are trying to cut out simple stay in the lasso tool and make sure that the moving dotted lines around your image are still there. Then hold down the Shift key. A small + should appear next to you cursor. While holding down the Shift key, trace around the part that you missed and release the key/mouse button when finished. This should than add to the image what you had missed before.
*If you need to remove part of the selected image that you are trying to cut out follow the same steps, but this time hold down the Alt key. A small - should appear next to you cursor.
Using the Magic Wand tool:
Best to use with a solid background (most commonly black or white)
STEP 1: Select the magic wand tool.
STEP 2: Click on the background color that you would like removed, so that only the image remains. The same moving dotted line should appear around the your pallette, excluding your image that you want cut out.
STEP 3: Right click to give you more options of what you may now do with your selected image and click on 'Select Inverse'. This will change the moving dotted line from having the background selected to having the image selected.
STEP 4: Right click to give you more options of what you may now do with your selected image and click on 'Layer via Copy'. This will create a new layer with your cut out image only and will be ready for use in the graphics you are making.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I hope this helped. Not sure how well I explained everything. It's different to talk about it while showing it on screen, than to explaining it through type. If there are anyt questions, please feel free to ask and I will answer them the best I can.
Good luck in future projects!