How do you cut out? (in Photoshop)

[Barney12]

........or make a selection.

Just wondered how you all did it, preferred methods, any tips?

Are you a magnetic wand user, extract filter, pen tool, magnetic lasso......?

Or perhaps you prefer some of the more exoteric like selecting a channel, adjusting levels so you end up with a silhouette to create a selection?

Barney

 

[Chaz Photos]

use most at one time or the other it will depend on what you wish to cut out there is no one fix it all way

 

[swanseamale47]

As Chaz says it depends on the image, I'll often try the quick selection tool first (depending on image) or if its a curved shape I'll go for the pen tool, I never use the magnetic lasso. If it's things like hair I might use a mixture including a channel mask.

 

[Kaouthia]

As Chaz says it depends on the image

+1

I've used many techniques from layer masks, calculations, lasso tool, pen tool, I've even brought images into Adobe AfterEffects and used the keylight plugin to use video chroma key filters.

It really does vary.

 

[Chappers]

I've tried all the above and to be honest the pen tool is the best. OK it will take some time to master, but it gives a more accurate result.

If you have a few pounds ( several in fact) On One's Mask Pro is a realy good option. But expensive

 

[Kaouthia]

I've tried all the above and to be honest the pen tool is the best. OK it will take some time to master, but it gives a more accurate result.

Try it on something with a very tight depth of field (the pen tool ain't great on those out-of-focus areas), or super fine detail like hair. That's why Photoshop allows so many different ways to accomplish the same tasks. One solution doesn't really fit all.

 

[pellepiano]

I usually try the Extract tool first. It can do a really good job at times. Especially if you do one part at the time.
Check www.russellbrown.com , lots of videos with good extraction tips.

 

[Barney12]

I usually try the Extract tool first. It can do a really good job at times. Especially if you do one part at the time.
Check www.russellbrown.com , lots of videos with good extraction tips.

Good linky, thanks

 

[specialman]

Pen tool usually to create a path. It's a pretty reliable way of cutting out quickly.

Other way is to use an eraser to erase back to transparent and then save as a PSD, which retains the transparency meaning you can load it into something like InDesign so OOF subjects don't look butchered.