Photoshop Extraction

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TaffyTim

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Sooo... frustrated trying to extract an image from a background, whatever I do I just get ragged linesalong its edges, its driving me nuts.

Trying to help a friend out with this on an image he needs urgently, but still no joy, I am using Photoshop CS (version 8?) with extraction tool.

Is CS3 or CS4 better at this?

cheers for any help

TaffyTim
 
The extract tool is the same in CS3, it's not in CS4 by default, although you can install it yourself.
There is an edge touch up tool in the extract filter palette, there a restore and erase type tool there. Can you post the pic so we can see what your trying to cut out.
 
Sometimes you get better results by doing serveral extractions, instead of all in one go. Deprnding on background, Color Range can do a good job, as well as using the most contrasty channel as the base of a layer mask, or use Calculations to to get a even more contrasty channel ( multiplying blue channel for instance ).
 
its hard to say really with out an image, sometimes I would do a rough selection as close as you can get, around the image you want to keep copy it to a new doc, then use, Channels and Calculations for a mask and blend modes, and a lot of hard work with the dodge tool
 
If it's a simple shape (say a car) your sometimes better off with the pen tool (or one of the lasso tools if your not used to the pen tool) the trouble with extract is a lot depends on the subject and how well you use the tool itself, so theres variables.
There is a product called fluid mask, which is something similar-ish to the extract filter but splits up the image into small bits, sort of jigsaw-ish making it easier to find the edges (it's claimed) I tried it once or twice, it seems to do a better job on some things, but I don't cut out very often anyway so I'm hardly an expert on it.
 
Personaly for cutouts I use the pen tool to mark a selection.It works well provided you don't have to many fine lines such as hair. OK it takes a bit if skill to master but it's probably a lot better than the automated masking and selection tools in Photoshop.

If you have a really complicated cut out I would strongly suggets you have a look at Mask Pro from On One software. It's works well, and I think is superior to Fluid Mask
 
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