3 Easy Ways To Cut Out Images In Photoshop - Remove & Delete Backgrounds Fast

Brendan Williams
25 Dec 202011:42

TLDRIn this tutorial, Brendan from bewellcreative.com demonstrates three simple methods to cut out images and remove backgrounds in Photoshop. The first method utilizes the 'Remove Background' button, which automatically creates a selection and layer mask. The second technique involves the 'Object Selection Tool' with options like 'Rectangular' and 'Object Subtract' to refine the selection, especially useful for cutting out hair. The third method is the 'Quick Selection Tool', which allows for painting on a selection that snaps to edges. All methods can be refined further with tools like 'Select Subject' for automatic edge detection and 'Refine Edge Brush Tool' for manual adjustments. The video provides a step-by-step guide on how to achieve clean and precise image cutouts with minimal effort.

Takeaways

  • 🎨 **Photoshop 2020 Update**: The latest version of Photoshop has a one-click method to remove backgrounds, making the process much simpler.
  • ✅ **Remove Background Button**: There's a dedicated button in the properties panel for removing backgrounds, which automatically creates a selection and layer mask.
  • 🔍 **Select Subject Option**: The 'Select Subject' feature creates an active selection around the subject but leaves the background intact, requiring manual layer mask application.
  • 🖌️ **Layer Mask Editing**: Holding Alt/Option and clicking on the layer mask allows for viewing and editing the selection to fix any imperfections.
  • 👌 **Brush Tool Fixes**: The brush tool can be used to paint in white to make areas fully visible or black to remove unwanted parts of the selection.
  • 🔧 **Object Selection Tool**: This tool, found in the toolbar, can be used to make a rectangular selection that snaps to the edges of the subject.
  • 🧹 **Refine Hair Feature**: Photoshop has a 'Refine Hair' feature that can automatically cut out hair strands, but may require manual touch-ups.
  • 🖋️ **Refine Edge Brush Tool**: This tool allows for manual refinement of edges that the automatic features might miss.
  • 🌈 **Decontaminate Colors**: This option helps to remove any fringing or artifacts around the edges of the selection.
  • 🏙️ **Quick Selection Tool**: An established tool that allows for painting on a selection which automatically snaps to the edges of the subject.
  • ➕/➖ **Selection Refinement**: Holding the Alt/Option key while using the Quick Selection Tool allows for subtracting from the selection, while the plus sign adds to it.
  • 🌟 **Select Subject Shortcut**: All the selection tools have a 'Select Subject' option that automatically detects and selects the subject without manual painting.

Q & A

  • What is the main topic of the tutorial?

    -The main topic of the tutorial is showing the easiest ways to cut out images and remove backgrounds in Photoshop.

  • Who is the presenter of the tutorial?

    -The presenter of the tutorial is Brendan from bewellcreative.com.

  • What is the 'Remove Background' button in Photoshop?

    -The 'Remove Background' button in Photoshop is a feature that allows for one-click background removal, automatically creating a selection and layer mask for the image.

  • How can you view the layer mask to check the selection?

    -You can view the layer mask by holding the Alt or Option key and clicking on the layer mask thumbnail.

  • What tool can be used to fix transparency issues in the selection?

    -The Brush Tool can be used to paint over gray areas in the layer mask view to make them fully visible or transparent.

  • What is the Object Selection Tool in Photoshop?

    -The Object Selection Tool in Photoshop is a tool that allows for easy selection of objects within an image by snapping to the edges of the subject within a general marquee selection.

  • How can the 'Refine Hair' feature in Photoshop help with cutting out hair?

    -The 'Refine Hair' feature in Photoshop automatically refines the hair selection, making it look more natural and cutting it out cleanly.

  • What is the 'Refine Edge Brush Tool' used for?

    -The 'Refine Edge Brush Tool' is used to manually paint over areas that need further refinement after the automatic selection, helping to clean up edges and remove unwanted parts.

  • How does the 'Quick Selection Tool' work in Photoshop?

    -The 'Quick Selection Tool' works by allowing users to paint on a selection, with Photoshop automatically snapping to the edges of the subject within the painted area.

  • What is the 'Select Subject' option in Photoshop?

    -The 'Select Subject' option in Photoshop is a feature that automatically detects and selects the main subject of an image without the need for manual painting or brushing.

  • How can you remove a faded piece left over from the background after using the Object Selection Tool?

    -You can remove a faded piece left over from the background by using the Brush Tool in Overlay mode with a black foreground color, painting over the gray areas to make them transparent.

  • What is the presenter's website?

    -The presenter's website is bewellcreative.com.

Outlines

00:00

🎨 Introduction to Background Removal in Photoshop

In this tutorial, Brendan from bewellcreative.com introduces viewers to simple methods for cutting out images and removing backgrounds in Photoshop. He emphasizes the ease of use in the 2020 version and newer, highlighting a one-click background removal feature. Brendan outlines three straightforward techniques to achieve this, promising quick results. The first method involves using the 'Remove Background' button in the Properties panel, which automatically creates a selection, adds it to a layer mask, and cuts out the image. He demonstrates how to refine the selection by painting with a brush tool on the layer mask to correct any transparency issues.

05:00

🖼️ Using the Object Selection Tool for Image Isolation

Brendan continues the tutorial by discussing the Object Selection Tool, which can be found in the toolbar and is used to create a rectangular selection that snaps to the edges of the subject. He explains how to use the 'Select and Mask' workspace for further refinement, particularly useful for complex areas like hair. The 'Refine Hair' button is introduced as a quick way to improve the selection of hair strands. If the automatic selection misses certain areas, the 'Refine Edge Brush Tool' is used to manually paint over the areas that need refinement. The selection is then decontaminated to remove any fringes, and the output is set to a new layer with a layer mask for non-destructive editing. A trick using the brush tool in Overlay mode is shared to clean up any remaining background artifacts around the edges of the selection.

10:02

✅ Finalizing the Cutout with Quick Selection and Select Subject

The last part of the tutorial covers the Quick Selection Tool, which allows users to paint on a selection that automatically snaps to the edges of the subject. Brendan demonstrates how to refine the selection by holding the Alt/Option key to subtract from the selection or painting over areas to add back into the selection. After the selection is finalized, a layer mask is applied to the chosen layer to complete the cutout. He also mentions the 'Select Subject' option available with various selection tools, which automatically detects and selects the subject for users who prefer a fully automated selection process. Brendan concludes the tutorial by inviting viewers to like the video and subscribe to the channel for more helpful tutorials.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Photoshop

Photoshop is a widely used software for photo editing and graphic design developed by Adobe. In the context of the video, it is the primary tool used to demonstrate how to cut out images and remove backgrounds, which is a common task in photo editing to separate a subject from its surroundings.

💡Remove Background

This refers to the process of eliminating the backdrop of an image to isolate the main subject. In the video, the presenter uses the 'Remove Background' feature in Photoshop, which is a one-click method introduced in the 2020 version that automates the background removal process.

💡Layer Mask

A layer mask in Photoshop is a tool that allows for non-destructive editing by hiding or revealing parts of a layer. The script describes using a layer mask to refine the edges of the cutout, particularly useful when addressing areas of partial transparency.

💡Select Subject

This is an option within Photoshop that automatically detects and selects the main subject of an image. The video mentions 'Select Subject' as an alternative to manually painting a selection, which can simplify the process of cutting out an image.

💡Object Selection Tool

The Object Selection Tool in Photoshop is used to make selections of objects within an image. It is highlighted in the video as a method to select and cut out images by drawing a marquee around the subject and allowing Photoshop to snap to the edges of the object.

💡Quick Selection Tool

The Quick Selection Tool is a painting-style selection tool that allows users to paint over areas to select them. It's an older feature in Photoshop that the video demonstrates for selecting and cutting out parts of an image based on contrast and edges.

💡Refine Edge

Refine Edge is a feature in Photoshop that helps to improve the quality of selections, especially for complex areas like hair. The video shows how to use 'Refine Edge' to smooth out and clean up the selection around the subject's hair.

💡Layer Mask View

Layer Mask View is a mode in Photoshop that allows users to view and edit the layer mask of an image. It is used in the video to check the selection's transparency and make adjustments to ensure the subject is fully visible and the background is completely removed.

💡Brush Tool

The Brush Tool in Photoshop is a versatile tool used for painting and editing. In the context of the video, it is used to manually paint over areas of the layer mask to correct transparency issues and to clean up the edges of the selection.

💡Active Selection

An active selection in Photoshop refers to a highlighted area of an image that has been selected for modification. The video discusses creating an active selection around the subject to prepare it for cutting out and placing on a new background.

💡Non-Destructive Editing

Non-destructive editing is a technique that allows for changes to be made without altering the original image data. Using layer masks, as shown in the video, is a common method of non-destructive editing in Photoshop, which is important for maintaining the ability to revert or modify edits without losing the original image quality.

Highlights

Photoshop's 2020 version and newer offer one-click methods to remove a background.

The 'Remove Background' option in the Properties panel automatically creates a selection and layer mask.

Selecting 'Subject' creates an active selection around the subject without removing the background.

The 'Remove Background' feature works well for cutting out images, including complex areas like hair.

Transparency issues can be fixed by painting with a white brush on the layer mask.

Object Selection Tool can be found in the toolbar and is useful for cutting out images.

Object Selection Tool snaps to the edges of the subject within a general marquee selection.

Refine Hair button in Select and Mask can automatically refine hair strands for a clean cutout.

Refine Edge Brush Tool can be used to manually fix areas missed by the automatic refine.

Decontaminate Colors option helps remove fringing or artifacts around the selection.

Quick Selection Tool allows you to paint on a selection, which Photoshop automatically snaps to edges.

Alt/Option key can be used with Quick Selection Tool to subtract from the selection.

Select Subject option in both Object Selection and Quick Selection Tools automatically detects and selects the subject.

Layer Mask can be inverted using Command/Ctrl + I to correct selections.

Brush Tool in Overlay mode can be used to clean up semi-transparent areas left from the background.

Using these tools, you can cut out images without needing complex techniques or anchor points.

Brendan from bewellcreative.com provides step-by-step guidance on using these features in Photoshop.

The tutorial emphasizes the simplicity and speed of cutting out images in the latest versions of Photoshop.