Making a Cut-out

Today we will learn how to cut someone out and place them in a new background.  This can be used to make fun images like you on the moon, walking with dinosaurs, or on a dream date.  Pay close attention to these MANY steps and you too can be a CUT-OUT KING!  (or queen)

1- Open your document in Photoshop (right click>open_with>Photoshop)

2- Select the Magnetic Lasso Tool and go around part of the image you want to keep. You can create a keypoint when ever you want by click. Be careful not to double click until you are all the way complete.

3- Once the bulk of the subject is selected (using the lasso in step 2), click on the Quick Mask button on the tool bar. This floods the unwanted area with a color (you can change it to best suit your image). Now you are ready to do the FINE DETAILS.

4- Use the following tools to move around the image and make your cut-out perfect

H- the hand allows your to move about the image

B- Paint Brush allows to to paint more mask

E- Eraser allows you to free more of the subject.

L- Polygon Lasso is good for selecting larger areas. Once selected, once an area may be filled.

SHIFT+ F5- Fills the selection

5- Once the Quick Mask work is done, complete the following steps to make your cut-out complete and ready to add to a new background

• CLICK on the Quick mask button again creating marching ants around the subject.
• COM+X to cut out the subject
• COM+N to open the image where you want the cut-out to go
• COM+V to paste in the subject
• COM+T (holding SHIFT) to adjust the size of the subject.

That might seem like a lot... because it is. But if you start playing with cut-outs in your spare time you can get very good at it quickly. AND PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT.

HAPPY CUTTING!