Cutting out an image in CS2

I just got CS2 and so far I am impressed with what it can do.

I bought it mostly to use for product shots. We tend to cut our product out of the background to place in catalogs and advertising.

I am having trouble getting good results. I got better results out of MS Digital image pro.

I read everything that came with the software that pertained to this and I can't seem to figure it out. I used the Magnetic Lasso tool, but I can't seem to get a clean edge. Is there a trick or a better way to do it?

Any help is appreciated, don't think you could insult me with the basics.

i use a combination of the 3 lassoo tools. switch between the three for different areas, also try feathering your selection slightly... i also sometimes use the background eraser tool (hold down mouse on eraser), it kindof works, needs a defined edge. i also work with a black (or other contrasting) layer underneath so i can instantly see if i've got it right. dont try doing it in one go. use the add to and subtract from selection buttons.

there's probably far more technical ways of doing this but mine works for me!

I use the pen tool, to get precise results. It may take awhile for you to get used to if you have not used it before.

below is a product shot of a safety glass side side. I used the pen tool to outline it then right click> make selction...>feather 5. Feathering will depend on the original size of the image you are working with.

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There's also an extract filter, and tools like Corel Knockout. Usually very fast, and pretty good, but not at all perfect.

I would *highly* suggest saving the selections as masks. You can manipulate the masks quite a bit, like using Guassian Blur on the mask, which is effectively the same as feathering but allows a LOT more control and actually lets you see what you're doing. Also, with a saved mask you can do things like make one edge soft and one hard, if necessary.

Photoshop Masking & Compositing is *all* about this stuff. It is just packed with info on making selections and such. You don't *need* to read this book, but skimming it and having it as a reference will do you a world of good.

first.. try shooting the image on a good solid color background and then i would use the squaer marquee tool and select half of the whole pic...say, the top half. then, with that selected, use the magic eraser and click on the background and it should dissapear... but sometimes it will also take away some of your pic that you want to keep.. depending on shadows and color, at this point, i move on to other parts untill i have done all i can, then deselect and select the whole bottom half of the shot and do the same thing again. after youve erased all you can with out erasing the parts you want to keep, blow up the image to abot 100 % and use a small brush.. i find that using a small "hard" brush you can get really close to the subject, sometimes a soft brush will trick you and leave faint background where you thought you erased. But then again, i use a pen tablet so its a bit easier to do this by hand. And this works better with subjects that have good lines and no fine details like hair or grass.
-zacker-

MD_129, I am so new to this program I fear I have gaps in my knowledge of basic functionality.

I visited your website(s). Very impressive.

I can follow the outline with the pen relatively easily. As I trace the object it fills it in with a color as I go. I am not sure how to cut the object out of the photo? Is there a pen setting or steps I need to follow?

I realize after viewing what you do this is very basic stuff.

Thank you, I appreciate your candor.

I threw together a really, really fast tutorial. Please excuse any mispellings and the nasty images.

http://www.michaelduva​ll.com/penTool/

I hope this helps a little

thanks md. i had no idea you could do that, ill give it a go

stupot wrote:
thanks md. i had no idea you could do that, ill give it a go

np

Guys you should try the magnetic lasso, it's dead easy.

yeah ive used it, find it a bit annoying and sometimes it doesnt work...

MD_129 You are the man, thanks for the tip. Simple as it may seem I would have spent hours figuring it out on my own.

Thanks for taking your time to help.

Yo MD.... you da man! gonna leave that on your site for awhile? I just stuck it in my favs so i can try it out. Looks good.
Now, if we could just find an easier way to get around fine, wispy hair.......
-zacker-

I have done a LOT of this and the best advice I can add is (1) find what works for YOU! Lots of ways to do it but not all work for everyone. (2) Blow the image up to at least 200% for the best results. I like to use the polygonal lasso tool and lots of little clicks. Use the backspace key to back up one click at a time if you make a mistake. Oh and as someone else here mentioned shoot against a solid background of an appropriate color for the item "or white"

anytime