The document discusses various techniques for masking and outlining images, including:
1) Using pen and shape tools to create paths and selections around image elements.
2) Adjusting selections using feathering and anti-aliasing to soften edges.
3) Creating layers and positioning separate image elements on different layers.
4) Applying layer masks to cover and reveal parts of images non-destructively.
2. In This Chapter, you’ll learn on:
Create an image outline
Adjust the definition of the outlined image using
feathering and anti-aliasing tools
Create layers and separate image elements to
layers.
Apply a mask to various image elements using its
pre-defined outline.
3. Create an Image Outline
Paths
You can use the Pen tool to create paths. When you
start to create a path it appears as a “work path” in
the Paths palette. A work path is only a temporary
path.
The Pan tool creates anchor points which are
connected by straight lines or curved segments. You
can use the other tools in the Paths tool group to
modify a path by adding, deleting or moving anchor
points, and by changing the nature of the points.
You can also edit curved segments by dragging the
Bezier direction points.
4. Create an Image Outline
Paths
Select Pen tool in the Toolbox. Make sure the Create
Path icon is selected. You can select the Rubber
Band option from the drop down triangle in the
Options bar to see a preview of the line segments as
you draw.
5. Create an Image Outline
Paths
Position your cursor where you want to start drawing the path,
then click, release the button, move the mouse and click again
to create a straight line segment. Continue moving your cursor
and clicking to create further straight line segments.
Alternately, you can click and drag to set an anchor point and
create direction lines for a curve segment. Then, release the
button and move the cursor, and again click and drag to
create the next anchor point with direction lines. Continue in
this way to create the path you want. Position the Pen tool
cursor at the start point. Notice the cursor now has a small
circle attached to it. Click to create closed path. The path will
appear in the Paths palette with the default title of Work Path.
To create an open path, follow the technique outlined in steps
1-3 but instead of clicking back at the start point click on the
Pen tool in the Toolbox to finish the path. This is now an open
path to which you could, for example, apply a stroke.
6. Create an Image Outline
Clipping Paths
Create a clipping path when you want to create
transparent areas in an image you intend to use in
an application. A clipping path makes areas of the
image outside the path transparent, allowing you to
see past the outline of the image to the background
on which the image is placed.
7. Create an Image Outline
Clipping Paths
After you have path the object that you want, create a
saved path. If you have more than one path in the Paths
palette, make sure you select the appropriate path. Use
the Path palette menu to select Clipping Path.
8. Create an Image Outline
Clipping Paths
Use the Path pop-up to specify a different path to
make into a clipping path if necessary. Enter a
Flatness value.
When you have saved a clipping path, you need to
save the film in EPS file for output. Choose File>Save
As. In the Save As dialog box, give the file a name
and specify where you want to save it.
Choose Photoshop EPS from the Format pop-up.
Click Save. Clipping Paths saved with the image are
automatically exported with the file when you save
in Photoshop EPS file format
9. Create an Image Outline
Lasso and Selection Tools
Most image adjusting software come with lasso and
other tools to select a certain portion of an image to
make adjustments. Some common tools are the
Lasso, Polygon Lasso, Magnetic Lasso and the
Marquee tool.
10. Create an Image Outline
The Lasso Tools
You can use the Lasso tool to make freedom
selections by clicking and dragging.
Select the Lasso tool. Set Feather and Anti-aliased
options. Position your cursor on the image. The cursor
changes to the Lasso cursor. Click and drag around
the part of the image you want to select. Make sure
your cursor comes back to the start point. If you
release before reaching the start point, Photoshop
completes the selection with a straight line. A dotted
marquee defines the selection area.
11. Create an Image Outline
Polygon Lasso tool
The Polygon Lasso tool creates a freedom selection
with straight line segments.
Select the Polygon Lasso tool. Position cursor on the
image, then click; move the cursor, then click…and
so on, until you have defined the area you want to
select. Click back at the start point to complete the
selection.
12. Create an Image Outline
The Magnetic Lasso tool
This tool is most useful when you want to select an object
or an area of the image which contrasts strongly with the
area surrounding it.
Select the Magnetic Lasso tool. Click on the edge of the
object you want to select to place the first fastening
point. Either, move the cursor along the edge of the
object, or click and drag the edge to draw a freehand
segment.
To close the selection border, position cursor on the start
point, then click. Alternatively, double-click, or press the
Enter/Return key. Photoshop creates a segment from the
point you have reached to the start point of the selection
border. To close the selection border with a straight line
segment, hold down Alt/option and double-click.
13. Create an Image Outline
The Marquee Tool
One of the most basic and commonly used tools for
making selection is the Marquee tool.
This tool is used to draw selections based on
geometric shapes. Specifically, the marquee tool
allows you to draw rectangular and elliptical
selections. To form the selection, simply click and
drag the mouse. The geometrical forms can be
changed by clicking and holding the marquee tool
option in the toolbox. This will activate a drop down
menu consisting of the other available geometrical
shapes.
14. Create an Image Outline
Auto Trace
This is often used for lines as well as shapes. The auto
trace tool traces any image shape automatically.
With this tool, you can click the edge of a shape you
want to trace, and the editing software draws the
entire outline of the shape. When you use the auto
trace tool to trace a line, it travels all the way around
the line and comes back to where you clicked,
forming a closed path.
15. Create an Image Outline
Adjust the definition of the outlined image using
feathering and anti-aliasing tools
When the Marquee tool is used for selection, the
Marquee tool options bar displays additional settings
which allow users to feather and anti-alias the selection.
There is a feature in the option bar which allows the user
to specify the value of the feather (which softens the
edges of your selection). To make this work, it is necessary
to enter the value before making the selection. When the
Elliptical Marquee is selected, you will have the option of
checking the Anti-Aliased setting.
16. Create an Image Outline
Feather option is used to control the degree to which the edge
of a selection is softened or faded. Feathering a selection
creates a transition boundary between the selection and the
surrounding pixels, which can cause a loss of detail.
1. Select one of the Lasso tools. The Options
bar updates according to the tool you
select.
2. In the Options bar, set a Feather value,
e.g. 10. You can set a value from 1 to
250 pixels. Use higher values on high
resolution image.
3. Create a selection using either the
Marquee or Lasso tool. When you move
the selection you will see the feathered
edge around the selection.
17. Create layers and separate image elements to layers
Layers are simply images being stacked on top of
another. In most images editing software, this is achieved
using the Layers Panel. This function allows you to work on
different parts of an image montage without affecting
other parts. Images placed on higher layers will appear in
front of images which are placed in lower layers. This
however, can be easily rearranged by clicking and
dragging the layers.
18. Create layers and separate image elements to
layers
The layer panels allow numerous layers
in an image. Separate image elements
are positioned on different layers
Additional layers can be added with
the create new layer function
19. One of the most useful elements of Photoshop is the
option called "Layer mask". It can be access using the
third icon at the bottom of the Layers Panel.
This function is frequently used because it enables us to
get rid unwanted parts of an image in the layer and
offers the option to reverse what we have “deleted”.
What it does is to cover the parts we wish to remove with
a mask. The area covered by the layer mask appears to
be erased when in fact, it is still there.
