Photoshop: How To Cut Out an Image - Remove & Delete a Background
TLDRVerticDesigns presents a tutorial on how to efficiently cut out an image and remove its background in Photoshop. The video introduces a quicker and easier method compared to the pen tool, using the Magnetic Lasso Tool. The process involves importing the image, unlocking the background layer, and zooming in for precision. The Magnetic Lasso Tool is selected and customized for accuracy with options like Width, Contrast, and Frequency. The selection is made by plotting points around the object, with manual adjustments for corners and tricky areas. The Polygonal Lasso Tool is then used for fine-tuning and creating a mask to hide the background. The tutorial also covers fixing hair details with the brush tool and refining the edges with the Select and Mask feature. Finally, the image can be converted into a Smart Object for a standalone image without a background. VerticDesigns encourages viewers to engage with the video and explore more Photoshop tutorials.
Takeaways
- 🖼️ Import your image into Photoshop by dragging it into the workspace or using File > Open.
- 🔓 Unlock the background layer by clicking on the lock icon to make it editable.
- 🔍 Use the Alt key and scroll wheel or the Zoom tool to zoom into your image for precision.
- ✂️ Utilize the Magnetic Lasso Tool (activated by pressing 'L' or right-clicking on the tool bar) for quick and easy selection.
- 🔄 Understand the Magnetic Lasso Tool's settings: Width, Contrast, and Frequency, to adjust accuracy.
- 🔄 Start the selection from a corner or the bottom and let the tool automatically detect the outline.
- 🎯 Manually add points to the selection if the automatic detection isn't accurate enough.
- 🔄 Use the Polygonal Lasso Tool for refining and fixing parts of the selection.
- 🖌️ Apply a mask to the layer to remove the background, and invert it if necessary with CTRL + I.
- 👩‍🦰 For fixing fine details like hair, use the Brush Tool with Feathering set to smooth out rough edges.
- 🔍 If edges need smoothing, use Select and Mask to adjust Smooth, Feather, and Contrast for a clean selection.
- đź’ľ Convert the edited layer into a Smart Object for a standalone image without the background.
Q & A
What is the main topic of the tutorial?
-The main topic of the tutorial is how to remove and delete the background of an image using Photoshop.
What is the alternative method to the pen tool for background removal mentioned in the tutorial?
-The alternative method mentioned is using the Magnetic Lasso Tool, which is quicker and almost as accurate as the pen tool.
How do you unlock a background layer in Photoshop?
-You unlock a background layer by clicking on the lock icon next to the word 'background' in the Layers panel.
What keyboard shortcut can be used to select the Magnetic Lasso Tool?
-The keyboard shortcut to select the Magnetic Lasso Tool is 'L'.
How does the Magnetic Lasso Tool work?
-The Magnetic Lasso Tool works by automatically detecting the outline of an object and plotting dots along the edge as you guide it around the object.
What are the three selection options available with the Magnetic Lasso Tool?
-The three selection options are: 1) Creating a new selection, 2) Adding to the current selection, and 3) Subtracting from the current selection.
What is the purpose of the Feathering option?
-The Feathering option adds a soft edge effect around the selection, which can be useful for creating smooth transitions between the selected area and the background.
How can you adjust the accuracy of the Magnetic Lasso Tool?
-You can adjust the accuracy of the Magnetic Lasso Tool by modifying the Width, Contrast, and Frequency settings.
What tool is used to edit and fix parts of the selection after using the Magnetic Lasso Tool?
-The Polygonal Lasso Tool is used to edit and fix parts of the selection after using the Magnetic Lasso Tool.
How do you create a mask from the selection?
-After creating the selection, you can create a mask by clicking on the 'Add layer mask' icon at the bottom of the Layers panel.
What can be done to fix the edges of the image after removing the background?
-To fix the edges, you can use the 'Select and Mask' tool with options like Smooth, Feather, and Contrast to refine the edges.
How can you convert the image layer into a Smart Object?
-You can convert the image layer into a Smart Object by right-clicking on the layer and choosing 'Convert to Smart Object' from the context menu.
Outlines
🎨 Background Removal with Magnetic Lasso Tool
VerticDesigns introduces a tutorial on background removal using the Magnetic Lasso Tool, offering an alternative to the pen tool for quicker and easier background selection. The process involves importing the image, unlocking the background layer, and using the Magnetic Lasso Tool to automatically detect and outline objects. The tutorial explains the selection tool's options, such as adding to selection, subtracting from selection, and creating custom shapes. It also covers the importance of settings like Width, Contrast, and Frequency for the Magnetic Lasso Tool's accuracy. The speaker guides viewers on how to start the selection, manually add points for accuracy, and complete the selection by connecting the first and last points.
✂️ Editing and Perfecting the Selection
After creating an initial selection with the Magnetic Lasso Tool, the tutorial moves on to refining and fixing the selection using the Polygonal Lasso Tool. This tool allows for the removal of unwanted areas and addition of missing parts by toggling between addition and subtraction modes with the Alt key. The process includes connecting the selection end-to-start without going back to the first dot using the CTRL key. The video also demonstrates how to create a mask to hide the background, and how to invert the selection if necessary. For fine-tuning, the Brush Tool is used to address areas like hair, with Feathering applied for a soft edge. The edges can be further refined using the Select and Mask tool, adjusting settings like Smooth, Feather, and Contrast for a clean finish. The final steps include converting the layer into a Smart Object for a standalone image and saving the project for future use.
đź‘‹ Closing and Sign Off
The video concludes with a sign off from VerticDesigns, encouraging viewers to comment, give a thumbs up, and check out more tutorials in the provided playlist. The outro music plays as the video ends, marking a friendly and engaging close to the tutorial.
Mindmap
Keywords
đź’ˇBackground Removal
đź’ˇMagnetic Lasso Tool
đź’ˇLayer
đź’ˇZoom Tool
đź’ˇSelection Options
đź’ˇFeathering
đź’ˇWidth, Contrast, and Frequency
đź’ˇPolygonal Lasso Tool
đź’ˇMask
đź’ˇSmart Object
đź’ˇSelect and Mask
Highlights
VerticDesigns provides a tutorial on a quicker and easier method for background removal in Photoshop, almost as accurate as the pen tool.
Import your image by dragging it into the work area or using File and Open.
Unlock the background layer by clicking on the lock icon to convert it into a layer.
Use Alt + scroll wheel or the zoom tool to zoom into the image for precision.
Select the Magnetic Lasso Tool, which automatically detects outlines and plots them for you.
Adjust the Magnetic Lasso Tool settings for accuracy, including Width, Contrast, and Frequency.
Understand the selection options: New Selection, Add to Selection, Subtract from Selection, and Intersection.
Feathering adds a soft edge to the selection; set to 0 for sharp edges.
Start the selection from a corner or an area and work your way around the image.
Manually add points for more accuracy, especially around edges and corners.
Use the Polygonal Lasso Tool for refining the selection and removing unwanted areas.
Create a mask by clicking on the icon to hide the background.
Invert the selection if the background is cut out and the subject remains.
Fix up hair details using the brush tool with Feathering set to enhance the selection.
Convert the layer into a Smart Object for a standalone image without the background.
Smooth and refine the edges using Select and Mask with options like Smooth, Feather, and Contrast.
Apply the refined selection to a new layer for a clean, background-free image.
VerticDesigns encourages viewers to leave comments and give the video a Thumbs Up if they found it helpful.
Additional Photoshop tutorials can be found in the video description for further learning.