[Photoshop 101] Extracting Image from Background

[Treyn]

Hi

I would be teaching you one of the basic steps on extracting your favorite image out of its original background. With this knowledge you are now able to use your rendered image for banners, forum signatures, magazine and etc.

There are different ways of removing the image from its backgroun, but what I am going to teach you is the most common and flexible technique that even other editors, such as myself, do.

I am not good on rendering images, so my samples are not flawless, but anyway I am honored of sharing you my knowledge. Feel free to ask questions or show corrections if you like to.

I'd be using my main character from Tekken 5 DR, Lili as an example:



Here is the orientation of the tools you are going to use during this tut.

Tools with corresponding hotkeys/shortcuts enclosed with ():


1. Edge Highlighter Tool (B)
2. Fill Tool (G)
3. Eraser Tool (E)
4. Zoom Tool (Z)
- Zoom in (Ctrl+Spacebar+Click)
- Zoom out (Ctrl+Alt+Spacebar+Click)
5. Hand/Pan Tool (H)

The following are the options which you will eventually see during the process:



And now, let's begin the tut.

Step 1:
Open your desired image that you need to extract. Then Filter>Extract.
A pop-up window will appear, this is where you are going to throw your time getting your picture. Then use the Zoom tool and focus it on a certain area where you want to begin then click the Edge Highlighter Tool. Beside the image window change the values of:

Brush Size: 1,2 or 3 (it is up to you what you wish to use, I recommend using 1, but I used 3 so you can see it clearly)
Fill: Blue or red (depends as long it is visible)
Smart Highlight: Checked

then trace the outline of your image just like the image below.



As a result:



Step 2:
Grab the Fill Tool then click it inside the closed lines just like below:



If ever the tool fills the whole image window(tunrs out to be color blue), then there is a problem. You need to inspect your lines if they are all enclosed properly. Once you see a "hole" out of if then use again the highlighter tool then "seal" it. The problem I am pertaining to is like this:



Step 3:
If ever everything goes smoothly, click the preview button. Your output would look like this:



Then click OK.


TIP:
After doing it, there are times that your extraction leaves some "dirt" in order for you to see them

create a new layer below the image at least 2

fill the first layer with black, while the second, white.

By clicking the eye beside the layer, you can make a certain layer visible while the possible dirt can be seen better either of the two.

By highlight the image, grab the eraser and clean your rendered photo.

[center]FIN[/center]

[payts56]

wow nice.. TY!

[payts56]

aww..

I only have Photoshop 6 and it doesn't have the Extract Feature..

[Treyn]

That would be a problem. I suggest you install, PS 7.

[boi_dapa]

hahaha! nice rendering lol.. is anybody have photoshop cs3 here?

[Treyn]

I have a CS3 but I didn't installed it. It eats a lot of memory in my cpu causing it to process slow. T_T