Removing Backgrounds
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- jeb-seminole
- Active Member
- Posts: 24
- Joined: Mon Oct 09, 2006 11:00 am
Removing Backgrounds
Does anyone know any good (and easy) software for removing digital backgrounds and replacing them with new backgrounds? I have Elements but cannot understand the directions for it-seems like alot of steps and I need someone to teach me. If there is software out there that can do it in a few easy steps for me, I could really use it.
Any suggestions?
Any suggestions?
- DickK
- ProShow Hall of Fame
- Posts: 3143
- Joined: Mon Nov 13, 2006 7:42 pm
- Location: Northern Virginia
Re: Removing Backgrounds
Well I was going to recommend PSE. Since 'background' is pretty hard to define--background in one image is the subject in another--I have a hard time imagining something any easier that's going to be effective. At least I know of nothing.
If you Google search 'PSE tutorials' lots of stuff will show up that might help and there quite a number of good books available as well.
Dick
If you Google search 'PSE tutorials' lots of stuff will show up that might help and there quite a number of good books available as well.
Dick
"It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it." Aristotle ((PSG, PSE & Fuji HS20 user)) Presentation Impact Blog
Re: Removing Backgrounds
Jeb ,
Search youtube for - remove backgrounds with Elements .
Ollie
Search youtube for - remove backgrounds with Elements .
Ollie
If it ain't broke , don't fix it !
Re: Removing Backgrounds
There's a program called Vertus Fluid Mask that can make it easier to remove backgrounds. It's not automated, because that's not possible, and it costs $150 but if you do a lot of that type of thing it may be worth investigating.
http://www.vertustech.com/
Personally, I find photoshop's quick select tool to be more than adequate for what I need.
Joe
http://www.vertustech.com/
Personally, I find photoshop's quick select tool to be more than adequate for what I need.
Joe
Re: Removing Backgrounds
I don't have Topaz Re-Mask but it seems pretty reasonable ($69.99) and is compatible with Elements 1-9 according to the website. If I ever buy one of these kinds of products I might get this one for the ease AND price. I don't have much need to do cut-out work these days and haven't done that in a long time since using LightRoom for most of my post processing.
http://www.topazlabs.com/remask/#6
See under the "compatibility" tab.
It seems they have a deal going, purchase before 10-20-10 and you can get 20% off if you use the code word "Enhanced" when ordering. Hard to beat that. I might even take advantage of that deal myself.
http://www.topazlabs.com/remask/#6
See under the "compatibility" tab.
It seems they have a deal going, purchase before 10-20-10 and you can get 20% off if you use the code word "Enhanced" when ordering. Hard to beat that. I might even take advantage of that deal myself.
Re: Removing Backgrounds
If you decide to go the route of a plugin for extractions, don't buy a thing until you've downloaded and tested trial versions. The best test? Hair. It's truly tough to get a decent extraction. I use EZ Mask, which does a bang-up job on hair, but the software isn't cheap.
Barbara
Barbara
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Re: Removing Backgrounds
I usually don't suggest software I haven't tried, but I'll make an exception, due to low cost ($49US or $19US - see below) of this program and the fact that it has a free trial. There is a program that works in Photoshop/Elements and and few other image editing programs, called EZlect: http://www.ezlect.com/
Based on skimming their tutorial, it looks like you just put markers on your image to help the software determine what selection you want: one type of marker for parts your want; and another for other types you do not want. When you have enough markers in the right spots, you get your foreground image removed. I assume the more difficult the selection you want is to single out from the background, the more markers that you will need.
I haven't been able to use this software because the install doesn't appear to work on 64-bit versions of PhotoShop 5. It also doesn't seem to work on my old PhotoShop 3.0 install. I have asked the developer if he plans to support 64 bit PS any time soon. You'll notice on the developers web site that the cost of the product is $49US, but on Oct 27, Bits-du-Jour (a site that offers discounts on software that last usually just 1-day), will have EZelect for: $19US
http://www.bitsdujour.com/software/ezlect/
(I am not sure if this link will work; you might need to register on the Bit-du-Jour site to see this page)
I hope this helps and if you or anyone else does try EZlect, please post here to let me know if it works well for you. Thanks.
Based on skimming their tutorial, it looks like you just put markers on your image to help the software determine what selection you want: one type of marker for parts your want; and another for other types you do not want. When you have enough markers in the right spots, you get your foreground image removed. I assume the more difficult the selection you want is to single out from the background, the more markers that you will need.
I haven't been able to use this software because the install doesn't appear to work on 64-bit versions of PhotoShop 5. It also doesn't seem to work on my old PhotoShop 3.0 install. I have asked the developer if he plans to support 64 bit PS any time soon. You'll notice on the developers web site that the cost of the product is $49US, but on Oct 27, Bits-du-Jour (a site that offers discounts on software that last usually just 1-day), will have EZelect for: $19US
http://www.bitsdujour.com/software/ezlect/
(I am not sure if this link will work; you might need to register on the Bit-du-Jour site to see this page)
I hope this helps and if you or anyone else does try EZlect, please post here to let me know if it works well for you. Thanks.
- lahazard
Re: Removing Backgrounds
I have been working with the trial version of EZlect and find it extremely frustrating. I am sure the majority of that has more to do with my lack of skill than the program itself, but I am always on the lookout for a program that makes such tasks as easy as possible.
I have been working with another program that was made available at a great discount over at BitsDuJour - Helicon Filter 5 - a multi-featured image editor.
http://www.heliconsoft.com/heliconfilter.html
The previous version, V4, is free, but you will need to get V5 (paid version) if you want the Photoshop Selection Plugin.
I use Photoshop Elements 9 on a Win 7 Professional 64 bit system and the program works fine.
Setting up selections is very easy - all i need do is to "paint" the areas I want removed - save the result - exit back into Photoshop Elements - and then finish my editing.
You can give it a test run and see what you think.
Louis
I have been working with another program that was made available at a great discount over at BitsDuJour - Helicon Filter 5 - a multi-featured image editor.
http://www.heliconsoft.com/heliconfilter.html
The previous version, V4, is free, but you will need to get V5 (paid version) if you want the Photoshop Selection Plugin.
I use Photoshop Elements 9 on a Win 7 Professional 64 bit system and the program works fine.
Setting up selections is very easy - all i need do is to "paint" the areas I want removed - save the result - exit back into Photoshop Elements - and then finish my editing.
You can give it a test run and see what you think.
Louis
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