Cutting out/Masking an image - help

[AFK_Matrix]

Hi,

 

Well I just want your opinion on how best to approach cutting out the car in the picture I have attached. Basically I have to replace the background with either white or black and I have tons of these to do. What I was thinking is to create a new white layer and use the mask tool to cut around the car, but this would take ages!! Is there a quick and easy way of doing this?

[SandmanNinja]

magnetic lasso?

hmmm... I'm sure there are other, really clever ways, but just the straight-edged pologinal lasso does the trick for me. I usually use a feather of 3 pixels to help smooth the cut

[BrianKitts]

many ways to do it, just comes down to what you are the fastest at. off the top of my head I could think of five ways....

 

1. filter -> extract (allows you to paint out the background to make a selection)

 

2. new layer, paint out background, select -> load selection -> layer transparency. select base layer. delete background. remove working layer

 

3. layer mask, fill with white, swich to black and paint out the background, right click on the layer and apply mask.

 

4. pen tool -> draw an editable path to trace out the object, create selection from path, delete background...

 

5. lasso, my preference....

[Tom Hamelrijckx]

... yes; start the extract filter on a copied layer, and if necessary do some fine-tuning on another copy with the layer mask technique...

[Scott Erstad]

A trick I like to do is to add an adjustment layer(s) to dramatically enhance value or chroma differences in the object / background. Then if you use the wand or lasso, it is more easily identified. Personally, I always use a quick mask first, then establish a layer mask. Never erase outright.

 

Also, when in Quick mask, you can paint the edge of the object, then get yer wand out and uncheck "use all layers" and select inside the QM, expand secltion and fill. Very fast. Record that expand selection & fill with a key command and you are now a masking pro.

 

Scott

[Brian Smith]

Hi,

 

Well I just want your opinion on how best to approach cutting out the car in the picture I have attached. Basically I have to replace the background with either white or black and I have tons of these to do. What I was thinking is to create a new white layer and use the mask tool to cut around the car, but this would take ages!! Is there a quick and easy way of doing this?

 

you'll definitely want to get this http://www.vertustech.com/