How to Extract Image

[zantasha]

This even works with photoshop CS (version 8) not sure about photoshop 7 though.. never used it

[faxon]

If there are two channels that together would give the best result; lets say there's a strong gradient from white to black in the background on cal try blending to channels using the calculations command



Image -> Calculations



Didn´t have time to post a tutorial but youtubed it and

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vqg4m2q2eek...feature=related

poped up, hope this helps with insane backgrounds

[Sxxo]

This is a great trick, thanks "Z". This will same me HOURS of work, because i use to delet or remove pixels with erase tool.
But i have tried this one and still have a problem ... people like me that are begining in this "world" of make costum images and covers, it's very important this help.
So to explain my problem, and try myself help others, i have done a picture that explain's all (problem and tips).
Hope that you "Z" could help me. Must apreciated.
For "LittlecoolDude", what do you mean with "... work well for extracting a TT" ?? Thanks.
Be pacient with my english ...

[LittleCoolDude]

Looks like you are copying the channel layer over and not the entire layer w/mask.

If you actually just high light the layer and drag it into your new image area, you will have the masked image in the background you want.

By TT i mean I had a JPEG title treatment on a black background, used the channel method to mask out the background and had a perfect Title Treatment to use for my cover

[zantasha]

You don't do Ctrl+C/Ctrl+V when you've made/added a mask to layer... Select MOVE TOOL and Simply drag the layer from original to new workspace while holding you left mouse button. you just can't copy both layer and mask at the same time.

Ctrl+C and then Ctrl+V will only copy/paste either your mask or original layer.. depending on what was selected when Ctrl+C

EDIT: since you're extracting image with has softer edges (hair & fur) I'd suggest you that while your layer mask is selected, goto Select>Refine Edge or Alt+Ctrl+R and take Contract/Expand slider to left till the Halo goes away and then add a little bit of feather. Try to do it in the standard mode(far left option)t and if the marching ants (selection) is not letting you see the edges properly.. simply press Ctrl+H and they will hide. Ctrl+H again will reveal them again. (i copied that last part from my earlier post)

EDIT 2: and if you don't want shadow under boy and puppy, then choose a normal size brush with hard edged and simply paint with white in "Blue Copy" after step 5 and the shadows will be concealed... which you add later if you like.

[Sxxo]

I had try the "Z" tricks and all work very good ... the "Refine Edge", put out or erase the shadow of images ... all went well.
Fix my previous problem (it miss to apply mask)
Still have a problem ... the final step - Drag the mask to workspace into the image that want to put her.
Done other image. Hope that "Z" could help me.
This is the last step ... i'm one click away to complete this.
Be pacient with the ones that are begining in this "world.
Thanks.

[zantasha]

Ok post the original image here or url it.... and I'll try to explain it more. You've done the last step wrong. Never apply Mask again after refine edge or it will merge with the original layer and you won't be able to edit the mask anymore.

so just give me the original image

[Sxxo]

Hi. I have work this image in lower resolution, but this is the original.
Thanks in advance.

[zantasha]

I've skipped those steps I've explained in earlier posts. just one closer look on how you overlay the brush on your blue channel copy



Now once you've made the layer mask... make sure layer and mask are locked... select move tool and drag it to new wrokspace while holding the left mouse button.



Next step is refine edge

TIP: its alway better to choose the background image before refining edge.... cause image extracted from lighter background/placed on a lighter background don't need to much work... and same goes for image extracted from darker background/placed on darker background.

when you open the refine edge option, it will show you the marching ant (selection area) and you won't be able to see the edge clearly.



simply pressing Ctrl+H will hide those ants and give you a better preview. Slide down the mask edge (to left) till those halos go away, then use a light bit of feather to soften it



Thats it you are almost done.


At last add some shadow under the characters to make it more realistic.


I hope you got the idea

[Sxxo]

Went out for the weekend ... and spend some time to pratice this tip and finally i could done this.
I will finish my Bolt cover, with this one ...
Just two questions, if you please:
1- My CS3 only got a few font types for titles (TT) and one friend tould me that this depend of the fonts i have installed on my Word 2007. Is this true ? Do i need to make a upload ?
2 - Wicth type font do you normally use for credits (image bellow) ?

Thanks for all your support and, specially, pacient