Removing background from a photo - Engraving Etc. Forum

From:	Webquest	29 Aug 2006
To:	ALL	1 of 9

4716.1

Hi all,

I use Corel X3 pretty extensively but mostly for mundane tasks. I have a job that requires removal of the background around a portrait of a person and I'm ashamed to say I don't know where to start. Can anyone give me quick instructions of how to do so, or point me to where I might find some kind of tutorial? Of course it's a rush job so I need to figure it out fast.

Thanks so much!

From:	Funkmeister (FUNKY)	29 Aug 2006
To:	Webquest	2 of 9

4716.2 In reply to 4716.1
how big is the file? I usually use photoshop. I you want send me the file pm and let me take a look. I could clean this up in about 30 minutes. If you want i can take alook at it. I free for the next hour.

From:	Webquest	29 Aug 2006
To:	Funkmeister (FUNKY)	3 of 9

4716.3 In reply to 4716.2

Funky,

I really appreciate the offer but I couldn't impose on you like that! The DIY part of me really wants to figure this out so I can accept these kinds of jobs with more confidence in the future. I'm a pretty quick study, but just not sure where to start and I don't want to learn the "wrong" way or a way that takes a lot more time than it needs to take.

From:	logojohn	29 Aug 2006
To:	Webquest	4 of 9

4716.4 In reply to 4716.1
You can draw a closed vector outline shape around the desired area. Select the photo, then from the menu, effects, powerclip, place inside container. You get a bold arrow and point it to the outline you have drawn. If you want to change it, you can extract the whole photo as it did not alter the original photo. The other alternative is take it to corel photopaint. Draw a mask around it, invert to get the background and fill it with white. It helps to smooth feather the edge if you don't want a sharp cut like around a face. If you do it all the time there is something called knockout that people have talked about. .

From:	Funkmeister (FUNKY)	29 Aug 2006
To:	Webquest	5 of 9

4716.5 In reply to 4716.3
That's fine. Just had a while. Could do it and hen send the instructions after. You could then practice without messing it up. Have fun. It's not that hard.

From:	Engravin' Dave (DATAKES)	29 Aug 2006
To:	Webquest	6 of 9

4716.6 In reply to 4716.1
Corel has incorporated Knockout features into the Corel PhotoPaint software. They call the feature "Cutout Lab". Do a seach in the help index file for "cutout" and it will offer a tutorial on this. You can also look at Pages 16-17 of this pdf document. pdf LINK Be patient, with a broadband connection this will take about 30 seconds to completely open. It is a 4.5 meg pdf file. This Cutout Lab feature is a huge timesaver when removing backgrounds.
EDITED: 29 Aug 2006 by DATAKES

From:	Webquest	29 Aug 2006
To:	Engravin' Dave (DATAKES)	7 of 9

4716.7 In reply to 4716.6
Thank you to everyone for all your help. I'm on the right track!

From:	gingem	29 Aug 2006
To:	ALL	8 of 9

4716.8
If you are using Corel X3 and working in draw there is now a crop tool inside of draw. Left toolbar third item down. Select it and surround the area of the picture that you want to keep and a grid will come up showing the area that will stay. Double click and that's all that will be left. Great new tool. Have A Great Day! Bill Meyer Ginny's Gems www.ginnysgems.com

From:	Zelmon	30 Aug 2006
To:	Webquest	9 of 9

4716.9
Engravers Journal just ran an article on this same subject by Mike Clarke which would help. Don't know if you take this magazine, if not, consider it, I've found it useful, and good value, even paying the overseas rate Simon Cork Sheffield Hindsight is a word you fully understand 'Later in life.....
EDITED: 31 Aug 2006 by ZELMON

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