Video:Extract Images With Photoshop Elements

SHARE ON                

Transcript:Extract Images With Photoshop Elements

Hi, I'm Don Schechter for About.com Computing. Today I'll show you how to use the Magic Extractor feature in Photoshop Elements. This feature is particularly useful if you wish to isolate an object and put it on a different background.

Choose an Image to Extract

First, open Photoshop Elements. Go to 'file' then 'open' to open the picture from which you want to extract an object. I'll choose one of a dog. Now go to Image, and click on 'Magic Extractor.'

A new window will open up with your photo in the middle. Also, a toolbar is located on the left side of the screen.

Select Your Brush

The Foreground Brush tool is the first tool you will need. On the right side of the screen, you can adjust the color of the foreground and background brush colors and the brush size.

Make sure the colors of the brushes are different, and select a brush size smaller than most parts of your object.

Extract the Image

Now click around on the inside of your object using the Foreground Brush tool. Be sure to adjust the size of the brush if you need to.

Select the Background Brush tool. Click and drag it around your subject carefully, without overlapping the image you want to extract.

Click the 'preview' button at the top right side of the screen. It is OK to have some of the background still there. We can erase it later.

Smooth Away the Image's Background

On the toolbar, you will see a tool called the Smoothing Brush. Adjust the size of the brush if you need to. Go around the line of your subject, and it will smooth out the line between your image and what is left of the background.

Erase the Rest of the Background

Now select Remove From Selection tool. You can erase the rest of the background that you don't want.

Be careful not to get too close to your subject, unless you have a small brush. In case you do happen to erase a bit of your image, select the Add To Selection tool. Use this to add your picture back where you erased it.

When you are satisfied with your extraction, click 'OK' at the top right side of the screen.

Thanks for watching. To learn more, visit us on the Web at computing.about.com.