Tutorials Hub - Removing background from images

Removing background from images

Wednesday, 22 August 2007 / Kshitij Ahuja

Hi all ! Again i have very simple step by step illustration to make it easy for you learn from this tutorial. I recommend viewing the screen shots side by side to make it easy to learn.

IMPORTANT :

The tutorial is is best suited where in the background has multiple colors and the colors match closely to the image in the foreground. Still i am sure this technique can be used in almost all cases, expect probably where the objects in the foreground are too small. I will get back with a tutorial for that soon. Till then satisfy your quest with this :)

Steps

1.		Have a look at the initial image. Its a poster from a movie. [Screen Shot]
2.		Then the final image. You will get an idea what we are going to do. [Screen Shot] I am going to use Magnetic Lasso Tool to remove the background. You will need to fine point you movement with this tool so that there is more clarity in the work. Rest is all the creativity in your hands. The reason i used magnetic lasso tool is that it snaps to the edges of the objects in the image automatically like a magnet. However you will surely need to go out of the path traced by the magnetic lasso tool. Its just a software after all and humans do it better then the software :) So be 'on' with your creativity.
3.		Select the Magnetic Lasso Tool from the tool bar on the left. [Screen Shot]. If you cant see the tool bar then open the tool bar by clicking Window>Tools in the menu at top.
4.		Next we will set the parameters to be used for Magnetic Lasso Tool. The value can be specified in the box that usually shows up at the top, below the main menu in Photoshop. Have a look at [Screen Shot]. Do notice the values i have used. Here is a brief description of what each value is used for : ? Lasso Width = Controls how close the fasting points will be as you trace the image. ? Frequency = Controls how often points are laid down. ? E>dge Contrast = Fine tunes the edge detection. The values is used for each of them are, ? L>asso Width = 15 px ? >Frequency = 50 ? E>dge Contrast = 10 %. Note that i have not played at all with Feather and Anti-Alias. Keep the value for Feather as 0 and Anti-Alias checked (if it is the other way, that is, not checked).
5.		Now start tracing around the image object you need. You will find a red line, just adjacent to that observer there is a line marked with points, that the path traced ss far. Have a look at screen shot. [Screen Shot]. When the image object is traced fully double click on the screen and you will find moving dashes around the image as shown in the screen shot. For the purpose of illustration, i have only traced the face and neck in this image. See the scree shot. [Screen Shot]
6.		Next i guess you know what to do, cut the image Edit>Cut.
7.		Open Layers pallet, Window>Layers.
8.		Create a new layer. Layer>New>Layer.
9.		Next, paste the object on this new layer. Edit>Paste.
10.		Delete the original Image Layer and you will be left with only the cut out.

The end. :) Here is the final image. [Screen Shot]>

You can use this to make shady effects around objects, in borders and many more areas. Rest is all the creativity in hand.

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