slejhamer
27th of March 2003 (Thu), 06:08
There have been a number of posts recently on how to isolate a subject in an image. In Photoshop, there are various methods to achieve the end result (layer masking, the lasso tools, the magic wand, etc.,) each with varying degrees of complexity and precision.
One that is often overlooked, but which can give you the greatest amount of control, is the pen tool. You can easily make selections right down to the pixel, and you don't need a Wacom tablet or other special hardware.
Once understood, the pen tool is as easy to use as any of the above-mentioned techniques. In fact, it is harder to explain than it is to use. (Note: I don't know if the pen tool is available in the "lite" versions of Photoshop, so this technique may only be available to users of the "full" versions.)
1. Make a duplicate layer so you don't mess up your original. (You shouldn't be working on your original anyway... )
2. Zoom in as much as needed, until you get the level of edge detail you want. 400% is useful, but you can go further if necessary.
3. Click on the pen tool. When you use this initially you will create a "path," not a selection, but we'll deal with that later.
4a. Click around the edge of the subject you want to isolate. Use small spaces between clicks for curved areas with fine detail, or large spaces between clicks for straight edges. Easy so far.
4b. If you click in the wrong spot, hit ctrl-z to undo the last click. (Sorry, I don't know the Mac code, but it's edit > undo on the menu.)
4c. A big advantage over the lasso tools: if you get to the edge of your window, simply move the window slider over. The pen tool waits for the next click, unlike a lasso which will extend out of the window if you drag it there.
4d. When you complete the selections and reach your starting point, the path completes itself as a solid line around the subject.
5a. In the Layers/Channels/Paths palette, click Paths.
5b. At the bottom of the palette are a series of buttons; click the third button (gray circle) from the left which is tagged "load path as selection."
5c. Your path now becomes a selection with the famous marching ants.
6. If desired, feather the selection a pixel or two. I find that feathering 1 pixel twice is better than feathering two pixels once, but the amount you use depends on your image resolution and the amount of edge softness you want to achieve.
7. Now that you've made a precise selection, what you do with it next is up to you!
Give it a try and let me know if this is helpful.
One that is often overlooked, but which can give you the greatest amount of control, is the pen tool. You can easily make selections right down to the pixel, and you don't need a Wacom tablet or other special hardware.
Once understood, the pen tool is as easy to use as any of the above-mentioned techniques. In fact, it is harder to explain than it is to use. (Note: I don't know if the pen tool is available in the "lite" versions of Photoshop, so this technique may only be available to users of the "full" versions.)
1. Make a duplicate layer so you don't mess up your original. (You shouldn't be working on your original anyway... )
2. Zoom in as much as needed, until you get the level of edge detail you want. 400% is useful, but you can go further if necessary.
3. Click on the pen tool. When you use this initially you will create a "path," not a selection, but we'll deal with that later.
4a. Click around the edge of the subject you want to isolate. Use small spaces between clicks for curved areas with fine detail, or large spaces between clicks for straight edges. Easy so far.
4b. If you click in the wrong spot, hit ctrl-z to undo the last click. (Sorry, I don't know the Mac code, but it's edit > undo on the menu.)
4c. A big advantage over the lasso tools: if you get to the edge of your window, simply move the window slider over. The pen tool waits for the next click, unlike a lasso which will extend out of the window if you drag it there.
4d. When you complete the selections and reach your starting point, the path completes itself as a solid line around the subject.
5a. In the Layers/Channels/Paths palette, click Paths.
5b. At the bottom of the palette are a series of buttons; click the third button (gray circle) from the left which is tagged "load path as selection."
5c. Your path now becomes a selection with the famous marching ants.
6. If desired, feather the selection a pixel or two. I find that feathering 1 pixel twice is better than feathering two pixels once, but the amount you use depends on your image resolution and the amount of edge softness you want to achieve.
7. Now that you've made a precise selection, what you do with it next is up to you!
Give it a try and let me know if this is helpful.