[TUT] Separating foreground from background

[Master User]

There are different ways to try to separate an image from its background, with the Pencil tool, the Magic Wand, the Lasso tool or the background eraser tool. But the one method that really gives you a professional result would have to be the pen tool.

Lets start off by picking an appropriate image, I'm going to go with a low resolution image of an Austin Martin.



STEP 1. PEN TOOL / SELECT PATHS
Select the Pen tool from the left hand Tool panel



Also select "Paths" from the top menu.



STEP 2. DRAWING THE PATHS
Use the Freeform Pen to draw an outline around the object. To reset a curve use ALT + Click on the path. Use Ctrl+Click to manipulate the points, and drag their "arms" around to change the curve.



When you've finished, right-click the line, and click Make Selection. This turns your path line into a selection (looks like marching ants).



STEP 3. REMOVING THE BACKGROUND
Now what I usually do is cut and paste the selected object into a new layer. Add a new layer, then Ctrl+C, then Ctrl+V into the new layer. You can then replace your background layer with whatever you want.

I've added a nice show room background and cleaned up the photo (I'll show you that in another tutorial).

[Cholo]

A+ I'm really looking forward to all these tutorials. Simple explanations are best and even though there's a ton of ps tuts out there the large majority leave out explanations of the simple things like how to use that stupid pen tool lol. Thanks mate.

[Master User]

Yea no worries bro.. I'm going to try to add a tut each week from now on..

[Ollie]

That looks excellent mate, never tried using the pen tool for something like this, probably because I still can't use the stupid thing 

[Bluestone]

Learn something new everyday, that sure beats magic wand and lasso.