HOW TO "CUT OUT" OBJECTS: METHOD 1 BRUTE FORCE

Over the years, I have come across many ways to extract objects out of an image. I still use most of them mainly because each method responds to certain situations where other methods won't work. There are 7 techniques that will be explained but I'm sure there are many that I am still missing. If you know of anymore, please post a comment. I'm always looking for new ways to speed up my post-processing work.

Method 1: This technique is the simplest and is kind of a brute force way of separating and object from its background. You will notice that in the image below, the background is complicated with many colors and geometry, but the object that is being cut is simple in form. This makes Method 1 a good candidate to be used. It won't take to much time or effort to erase around the box.

1. The first thing to do is unlock the background layer so that the background can be erased. Double click in the space next to the layer name in the Layer Palette. A dialog box will come up and choose "OK".

2. Select the "Eraser" tool and make sure the brush is a small size with 100% opacity. There is an important tip that makes this method a little easier. Click on the edge of the object be cut with the eraser too. Then hold "Shift" and click somewhere else along the edge. A straight line is drawn between the two clicks. Erasing using this method is much quicker and more precise than trying to free hand erase around the object.

3. Once a path has been erased around the object, increase the size of the brush and proceed to erase the rest of the background. That's it, you are left with just the object ready to be dragged into your illustration.

Comments

[Habib]

Hey Alex, Good Job Man

Just could you please briefly show us how you created the yellow light effects coming from the lughtn source on the walls and surrounding, in that work illustration. Please could you show use how you did this light effect. Please Please And Please. I can follow all of your steps and create wicked models but can't get the lighting right.

Thanks Alex U Da Man!

Habib

[EZ]

Hey Alex,

I know of another method of extracting backgrounds in Photoshop. U could say its similar to using the lasso tool. What u do is that you use the pen tool once u have outline what u want to extract u simply right click and select where it says "make selection". This is method is specially helpful when u have selections with curvatures in them. Nice tutorials keep them coming.

Edgar

[Isabel]

Hi Alex and all Alex's followers :)

I also do use another method to cut out objects, but as you said above it depends the situation.
Anyway i'm leaving the tip:

1. First duplicate the background layer.

2. Select Background eraser tool:
2.1 Diameter which fits best,
2.2 hardness: 100%
2.3 Limits: Contiguous or Discontiguous
2.4 Tolerance: 20% to 30%

3. Start erasing all around the object(s). The crosshairs in the middle of the circle determine the point of what is going to be erased.

4. For a better finishing use the Lasso Tool, and draw a loose selection all around the objects.
4.1 Choose the Move Tool, hit the arrow key down once and this will fit the selection all around the object.

Sometimes i use this method :) now we can have 8 methods :D :D

Keep doing a good work alex, cause we always learning from each others

[Alex Hogrefe]

I will have to look into that. Thanks Isabel

[Isabel]

Welcome :) anytime ... we just grow, sharing :)

[guenter]

It seems, that the Pen Tool is missing.

Just create a path with the pen-tool (much more control than with lasso or selection tools)
and then in paths - right click on the path - make selection - tolerance 1px or 2px

it is very useful if you have a very disturbing background and need a exact cutout