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Published : November 08, 2006 |
Author : 1bree
Category : Graphic Design | Total Views
: 347 | Unrated
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 1bree
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Using the Extract Tool in Photoshop 7
by Bree
Extracting an item from an image has always been a tedious and frustrating process, but placing that knockout blonde into your banner makes all the difference. Learn how to extract an item with clean edges and all the necessary details. This technique/tool works best when the item you want to extract is on a solid background.
Typically, what you want to grab from an image has some kind of background -- that would be your reason for extracting it. The image we'll be using has a background. You can click on the thumbnails for a larger pic ;) (but you knew that right??? hehehe).
First, using the image provided, choose Filter ---> Extract (Photoshop 7). In Photoshop 6, this would be Image --> Extract.
Notice the tool bar on the upper left. The Highlighter tool, the one you'll use first, is active. You will use the highlighter tool to trace along the edge of the item you want to extract. The highlighter uses a brush. The brush size can be adjusted in tool options (located to the upper right) or by pressing the bracket keys ( ][ ).
The nice thing about this tool is that you don't have to keep holding down the mouse button. You can actually release it ocassionally and reposition your cursor/hand if you like (unlike the lasso tool). You can specify any size brush you like for the highlighter. If you want more something more precise you can check on the Smart Highlighting. The default highlighter is recommended for areas with complex edges (such as hair) or are blurry. The smart highlighting is recommended for edges that are very well defined. If you're working on a background or item that is green you can change the color of the highlighter in the options box.
Once you've outlined the item that you want to extract, click on the paint bucket and fill the area inside the item. The inside of the item should turn blue (the default fill color -- here it looks a bit purple). If the entire image turns blue then you have an open spot. The highlighted area must be a closed loop. If the item meets the edge of the image as it does in our example, the highlighted line must meet the edge of the image. Anything that is blue will NOT be deleted from the image.
At this point it's a good idea to choose a matte color for the background of the preview. The default background is a checkerboard and it's a bit tough to discern what needs to be cleaned up with the item on this busy background. You can choose a contrasting matte color using the Display drop down box in the lower right corner. Once you've chosen a matte color, you can click on the "preview" button located at the upper right.
Now you can see what you've accomplished thus far. If the edges are not as clean as you'd like (and most likely they won't be unless you've extracted the item from a solid background), then you can use the Clean up tool and the Edge Touchup tool. The Clean up tool will erase parts of the image you do not want to see. To enhance or "bring back" parts that were deleted press the ALT key while using the Clean up tool. Try changing the matte background again to compare how the image might look. You can also check for that clean edge. Edges can be further defined or smoothed a bit by changing the "Smooth" setting. You'll have to "preview" again when you make a change to "smooth." Once you are satisfied with the results, click on OK.
The extracted item is now ready to use in whatever way you'd like!!
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