PS cutout skills

Point:

1. Use the background eraser to cut out the image

Open method: Toolbar - Eraser Tool - Background Eraser

Use: No matter how complex the edges of the subject are, as long as there is a significant difference in color or brightness from the background, the background eraser is a good tool

Basic operations:

Background eraser It is a circle with a crosshair in the center. Wherever the crosshair is clicked, the pictures in the circle with the same color as this position will be erased. It is very simple to use

The meaning of limiting the selection

1. Continuous - can only be deleted Areas connected to the sampling points

Discontinuous - all areas within the circle that are similar to the sampling points will be deleted

3. Find edges - check this to prevent deletion The area invades the main body and becomes translucent

Sampling options\

1. Continuous sampling - sampling once can only be deleted once. Suitable for backgrounds with color changes

2. One-time sampling - Suitable for backgrounds of a single color. At this time, just click once with the crosshair, and as you drag the circle, the picture within the circle will be similar to the sampled color. It was wiped away. If you want to cut out dark trees under the blue sky, it is too easy to use the background eraser

3. Background color plate sampling - there may be a slight color halo around the subject that is peeled off with the background eraser. , you can use the crosshair to click on a color in the color picker that is similar to the halo, and try using different tolerances to eliminate the halo

A few tips—

Tolerance The choice

Setting the tolerance correctly is key to successfully using the background eraser. When it is found that the main body in the circle has been erased, the tolerance needs to be lowered; when the background is not completely erased, the tolerance needs to be raised

Brush Hardness

Choose the correct brush hardness to produce Real subject edge. When the edges of the subject are sharp, the brush should be hard; when the edges of the subject are soft or blurry, the hardness of the brush should be appropriately reduced

Do not observe the subject under a checkerboard

Use a background eraser The transparent checkerboard revealed by rubbing often makes the details on the edge of the subject unclear. You can create a monochrome layer with a great contrast with the subject underneath it, and the defects of the subject will be fully exposed on the monochrome layer.

In addition, you can change the size of the crosshair circle at any time to adapt to the needs of erasing different backgrounds.

2. Use the Extract filter to cut out the image

Open method: Filter menu - Extract

A large Extract interface dialog box will appear

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Purpose: When there are filaments on the edge of the subject, such as hair, as long as there is a significant color difference between the filaments and the background, the extraction technique is a good tool.

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Basic steps:?

Select the edge highlight tool (a translucent green one) in the upper left corner of the extraction dialog box Pen, color can be selected), you can use it to hook out the subject you want to cut out.

Understand and remember this sentence: the main body not covered by the highlight pen is completely retained, the parts other than the main body not covered by the color pen are completely deleted, and the part covered by the color pen is analyzed by the software: Keep the picture with the same color as the subject, delete the different ones @% a. s

When using the highlight pen, be sure to make the colored line cover the edge of the subject, otherwise black edges will be left. However, it should not be covered too much to avoid misjudgment by the software. In short, remember that the color difference on both sides of the color bar is the criterion that determines whether the image in the color bar is selected or not.

Color bars can be erased and redrawn using the eraser tool.

The thickness of the highlighter can also be selected.

Photos can be enlarged with the zoom tool (double-click the gripper tool to restore), and then moved with the gripper.

Whenever you encounter hair, be sure to cover it with a highlighter.

Select the "Paint Bucket" filling tool in the upper left corner, click inside the body, and the body will be filled with red (the color is selectable).

Click the preview on the right and the subject will be cut out! A checkerboard background indicates transparency.

The checkerboard pattern makes the subject unclear. You can "Show White" in the preview dialog box on the right. The subject will be much clearer on a white background.

The cutout at this time is not perfect. This is because the subject and background colors are similar in some places. You can use the highlight pen and eraser to adjust after zooming in. It is more necessary to use the clear tool to clean the background, and use the edge modification tool to modify the edge of the subject. These tools are on the left side of the extraction interface.

Only when you are satisfied, you can click OK and the cutout will be over. After clicking OK, even if you are not satisfied, you cannot change it and can only start over.

About "Force Foreground":

When this option is selected in the Extraction Method dialog box, the extraction filter only extracts the pre-specified color part of the image covered by the highlight pen, and this This designation is done using the eyedropper tool on the left. Of course, you can also use the color palette to select colors.

This method is very efficient when the subject has a single color.

3. Application of blending slider in cutout, n8 K4 G

Opening method:

1. Menu - Layer - Layer Style - Blending Options

2. Double-click the blank space on the right side of the layer adjustment thumbnail to open it

There are many operations in the Blending Options dialog box, we only cover the bottom one Slider B

Purpose:

Remove dark or light areas in an image, or remove a color from an image so that the next layer will show through in those areas.

Basic operation:

Move the dark slider of this layer (the highlighted layer) to the right, and the grayscale corresponding to the left side of the dark slider in this layer Part of the image disappears. Therefore, to cut out the light subject from the dark background of this layer, you can operate the dark slider.

Move the light slider of this layer to the left, and the part of the image corresponding to the grayscale on the right side of the light slider of this layer will disappear. Therefore, to cut out the dark subject from the light background of this layer, you can operate the light slider.

Slider separation

Hold down the Alt key and click the slider to split the slider in half. When you move the half slider, the grayscale corresponding image between the two half sliders becomes translucent. When there is residual image near the subject that you want to remove, moving the half slider allows the subject to blend with the new background.

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Mixed Color Band:

When gray is selected for this dialog, the image disappears when the slider is moved It's just about brightness.

When this dialog box selects a certain color channel, the image that disappears when you move the slider is only related to the grayscale corresponding to that channel. When you need to delete an image of a certain color, it is convenient to choose a mixed color band appropriately.

Next layer slider:

Operate the next layer slider in the slider bar on this layer to have the same effect on the next layer as on this image. The layer slider has the opposite effect on this layer.

Move the depth slider of the next layer to the right, and the dark area on the left side of the slider covered by this layer will appear; similarly, move the shallow slider of the next layer to the left, and the dark area on the left side of the slider covered by this layer will appear. The bright area to the right of the slider covered by the layer will appear. This is very much like punching holes in the cut out body, exposing the underlying layer. This function can be used to reveal the texture of the underlying image.

Notes

1. The blending slider can only be operated on layers. When you need to operate the slider on the background at the bottom of the layer, you must first convert the background into a layer.

2. The image that disappears when you move the slider is actually just hidden. If you want to delete it permanently and save it, you can create a new empty layer below this layer, then merge the two layers and save them

4. Layer mask, a powerful tool for cutting out images

Creation method:

Click the "Add Mask" icon below the layer adjustment to create it on this layer Create a layer mask

Basic principles and uses of layer masks

The newly created layer mask is a "white paper" that affects this layer and the next image. The layer seems to have no functionality. But as long as a pure black picture is "drawn" on this white paper, this part of the picture on this layer will disappear, and the image at the corresponding position on the next layer will appear

Therefore, Not limited by color difference and brightness difference, you can use layer masks to "cut out" images at will.

Use the "black" brush on the layer mask to cut out the image:

This is the most basic and "stupid" method. To get the ideal result, you need to carefully draw the edges of the subject and spend more time

A few key points

Set the "Opacity" of the layer adjustment to semi-transparent. Make it possible to see the main body of the next layer clearly, and then use a large-diameter black brush to blacken the exposed interior of the main body.

Only by properly choosing the brush hardness to draw the edge of the subject can the quality of the cutout be ensured. When the edge of the subject is soft, reduce the hardness of the brush; otherwise, increase the hardness of the brush.

When using layer masks + brushes to cut out pictures, the biggest difficulty occurs when there are filaments on the edges of the subject (such as hair)

4. With the help of color channels, use layers Mask pullout

Editing a layer mask can greatly expand its functions:

Hold down the Alt key and click on the mask thumbnail, and the layer mask will become the image master. A large image.

You can add gradients, use filters, levels, curves, and even paste images to create many amazing effects. Of course, this may go beyond cutout.

5. The role of RGB color channels in cutout

Opening method

Menu - Window - Channel;

Or click the channel option bar in the layer palette

Usage:

When the subject is reddish, the image in the blue channel of the subject is almost black; when the subject It's bluish, and the image in the red channel of the subject is almost black. . . This gives us a clue that the subject we want to cut out may have a large black and white color with the background. Difference. If you select this channel image and paste it on the layer mask, wouldn’t the black “silhouette” of the subject on the mask be almost complete? This is true to the saying - the channel is the selection. .

This method of establishing an available channel on the mask not only saves you the trouble of using a brush to trace the edges of the subject, but also makes the edges more detailed and accurate.

5. Use the pen tool to cut out the image

Open method

Toolbar - Pen tool

Scope of application:

When there is no obvious color or grayscale difference between the subject and the background (such as a transparent subject), but there are clear edges, the effect of cutting out the image with a pen is very good.

Key points for use:

The pen tool can draw both vector graphics and bitmaps. When cutting out images, you should use vector images, so select the "Path" icon in the taskbar. f

Just keep clicking the left button along the edge, and the generated anchor points will be connected by straight lines. But as long as the anchor points are dense enough, the edges traced after smooth correction are also very fine.

When you click on the edge and drag it in the forward direction, a bidirectional line will be generated, from which you can draw a curve. By changing the length and direction of the direction line, you can adjust the shape of the curve to match the edge of the body.

If you click and release the left button, wait for the pen symbol to change, and then drag the left button, you can drag out a one-way direction line

After the anchor point is closed, a closed line will be generated. path. Right-click the mouse and select "Create Selection" on the menu that appears to convert the path into a selection.

About the Free Pen Tool:

It is somewhat like a lasso, or it can be Magnetic, but much finer than the lasso and magnetic lasso, and easily modified. The Magnetic Free Pen Tool is useful when there is a large color or grayscale difference between the subject and the background.

7. The application of "color range" in cutout.

Open method:

Menu: "Select" - "Color Range", operate the pop-up color range dialog box.

Basic idea:

Color Range" is a tool for creating a selection by specifying color or grayscale. Because this specification can accurately set the color and tolerance, the selection The range is easier to control. When using the color-added straw (the one with the + sign in the middle) to sample, you can also select different colors and grayscales at the same time.

Purpose:

This is a good tool for cutting out transparent subjects.

8. Clipping Mask - Use PS to play "paper cutting"

How to create a clipping mask

Menu - —Layer—Create Clipping Mask

Right-click the blank space on the right side of the layer thumbnail, and left-click "Create Layer Mask" in the pop-up menu q

< p>Basic concept of clipping mask:

After a layer creates a clipping mask, it and the next adjacent layer (called the base layer) form a clipping group. The layer with a clipping mask is called an associated layer. If the base layer is a transparent layer, then after writing and drawing on this transparent layer, the associated layer will be cut out according to the text and graphics of the base layer. out.

Some notes:

The thumbnail of the associated layer will move to the right, and a downward arrow will appear on the left, indicating that the layer is connected to the base image below. Layer association.

The name on the right side of the base layer thumbnail has an underline.

The base layer acts as a mask and can work on multiple associated layers. The advantage of layer masks or vector masks that can only work on this layer.

The shape cut out of the associated layer is only related to the shape of the base layer image, and the color or grayscale. It's irrelevant.

The base layer is like a pair of scissors, and the associated layer above it is a stack of paper. Drawing on the base layer means moving the scissors, so the "stack of paper" follows the base. The shape on the layer is "paper-cut"

9. Quick mask + brush painting - difficult to remove hair

How to open the quick mask editing mode:< /p>

Click the second-to-last icon below the toolbar (the CS3 edit mode icon) to switch the editing mode between standard and quick mask.

About the quick mask properties:

Double-click the edit mode icon, and you can select the mask attribute in the pop-up dialog box. In fact, it is to set whether the area covered by the color is selected or unselected. The selected area is covered with a transparent color; if it is set to "Masked Area", the color and transparency can be changed in the dialog box. Basic concept of mode:

The so-called editing mode refers to the method used to create a selection.

The standard editing mode is the default, and the selection created at this time displays a "marching ant" line.

In the quick mask mode, the selected area (or unselected area) is covered with a semi-transparent color.

When the quick mask editing mode is first established, such as mask attribute settings. is the "selected area", a white Alpha channel will appear in the channel adjustment (if the mask attribute is set to "masked area", it will be black), and the gradient, shade, and Blur can be expressed in grayscale on this "white paper". The "what you see is what you get" function of the fast mask editing mode is particularly useful for the cutout of this topic.

After returning to the standard editing mode, the area drawn by the brush in the quick mask mode becomes the selection

If a selection has been created in the standard mode, change it to After entering the quick mask mode, you can use the selected area as a temporary mask to edit, perform filters and various processing. This is also a major advantage of quick mask. It is very convenient to use it to design borders.

10. How to use the lasso tool

Almost everyone "can use" the lasso, but only those who have realized that it is a cutout tool that requires high operating skills Only people can actually use it. . . .

Basic operation:

Ordinary lasso - hold down the left mouse button and drag along the edge of the body to generate a line without anchor points (also called fastening points). The left button can only be released after the line is closed, otherwise the beginning and end will be closed automatically. If you did not select "Add to Selection" in the tool options bar in advance, all your work will be in vain

Using ordinary lasso to cut out images is thankless and should not be used as the main tool for lasso cutout. use. In fact, the ordinary lasso is more used to circle a part so that it can be adjusted and modified.

Polygonal Lasso - Use the left mouse button to move forward and click along the edge of the main body, and it will generate anchor points connected by straight lines. When the end and end are connected, the mouse symbol will have an additional dot. This The last click creates a closed selection

Never double-click in one location. No matter what kind of lasso, double-clicking will automatically connect the end and the end. The consequences of this mistake if you make it are the same as letting go when using a normal lasso.

The Polygonal Lasso is a useful tool for cutting out straight subjects.

Magnetic Lasso - Click the starting point with the left mouse button, and then move the mouse along the edge of the subject, which will generate connected anchor points that automatically identify the edges. Double-click the left button when the head and tail meet to close the selection.

Using the magnetic lasso is easy, fun and effective. It is the main tool for lasso cutout, but it requires skills to use it well

Switching between lasso tools:

Switching between ordinary lasso and polygonal lasso - while using one tool, hold down the "Alt" key, and then change the operation mode to that of another tool.

One thing to note: after switching from ordinary lasso to polygonal lasso, to return to ordinary lasso, you must first hold down the left button and then release the Alt key. Think about it, why is this?

Switch the magnetic lasso to the other two types of lasso - first hold down the "Alt" key, and then change the operation mode to the ordinary lasso (or polygonal lasso). As long as you don't make the stupid mistake of double-clicking on a point, you won't lose all your efforts

Tips for using the magnetic lasso:

Except for the main body of geometric figures with only straight lines, I always use magnetic lasso The lasso is the main tool, let’s talk about its usage skills

Correctly set the Magnetic Lasso tool options

Feathering - Since you want to cut out the image accurately, of course it must be set to 0 first

Edge Contrast - Set the sensitivity of the magnetic lasso, the value is between 1 and 100. This is the most important option. If there is a precise edge between the subject and the background, the value can be higher, otherwise it can be lower. If there are both edges, I personally think it should be lower rather than higher. When encountering an edge that is slightly different from the background, drag the mouse slowly

Width - Set the detection range of the lasso, the value is between 1-256. The larger the value, the stronger the magnetism. Although the mouse pointer deviates from the edge of the subject, the anchor point still falls on the edge. If the value is 1, you will find that the magnetism is as small as using an ordinary lasso. When using the magnetic lasso, you can click the "[" or "]" key to reduce or increase the width value at any time to adapt to the needs of different edges.

Frequency - the density of automatically generated anchor points, the value is between 1-100. The smaller the value, the faster the speed, the larger the value, the higher the accuracy. Of course I choose the latter, with a value of 100.

Add to selection - This icon should be selected in order to prevent wasting all previous efforts due to mistaken mouse double-clicking. By doing this, once the anchor points are connected end to end to form a partially closed selection, you can continue to select the remaining edges.

Operational Tips

In order to make the selection precise, enlarge the subject as much as possible. Even if the subject exceeds the working interface and the complete image cannot be seen, it does not matter.

2. When the anchor point moves to the edge of the work interface, hold down the "space" key to turn the mouse into a gripper, and move the subject outside the interface into the interface

3. When an anchor point you are not satisfied with appears, click "Delete" or the backspace key to make the anchor points disappear one by one starting from the last one; if you want to completely cancel the previous work, click the "Esc" key

4. When encountering an edge with drastic convex and concave changes, left-click (do not double-click) while moving to generate a forced anchor point to ensure the correct routing

5. During the operation, If necessary, use the shortcut keys to enlarge or reduce the image (Ctrl+ or Ctrl+-).

When encountering a straight edge, temporarily change to the polygonal lasso tool operation; when encountering the subject edge and background being blurred, you can temporarily change to the ordinary lasso operation

7. After the selection is closed, you can use "Adjust Edges" in the option bar to trim the edges

11. Matching colors - Make the skin color of the two faces consistent in "Head Changing"

The "head-changing technique" in PS is often used as a prank, but not always. For example, if a girl wants to wear a wedding dress, or an elderly person wants to take photos of their wedding, head transplant surgery can help you.

Using the method introduced earlier, it is not difficult to move the head of a girl to the body of a bride in a wedding dress. The difficult thing is how to make the skin color of the girl's face exactly the same as that of the bride.

There are several methods available to solve this problem. The "match color" used in this topic is one of the simpler and more effective methods

Basic operations of "match color"< /p>

1. Open the target image and the source image at the same time, and the color of the target image will eventually be changed to the color of the source image

2.

Perform menu operations on the target image : Image - Adjustments - Match Color, a Match Color dialog box appears (light yellow part in the picture below).

In the "Source" selection box at the bottom of the dialog box, after selecting the source image file name, the target image will be changed to the color tone of the source image

"Image Options" in the dialog box ” is used to fine-tune the target image to make it more consistent with the source image

Color matching between selections:

If the target image and source image have been established in advance selection, the two options in the "Image Statistics" dialog box will be automatically selected.

At this time, the color matching is only performed in the selected area, and the color consistency will be better

The skin color matching of "head replacement surgery" should use the selected area matching method

It needs to be emphasized Yes: The correct selection of materials is a prerequisite for the success of the "head-changing technique"