Use GIMP's AI Technology To Remove Backgrounds Easily

GIMP TUT
18 Feb 202312:12

TLDRThis tutorial video demonstrates how to use GIMP's AI-powered tool, the Scissors Select Tool (formerly known as the Intelligent Scissors Tool), to efficiently remove backgrounds from photos. The presenter compares this tool to the older and more cumbersome Path Tool, showing how the Scissors Select Tool requires fewer clicks and is more intuitive. The video offers several pro tips for using the tool effectively, such as increasing the number of anchor points for detailed areas, navigating the image with the space bar, and using the interactive boundary feature for smoother tracing. The presenter also emphasizes the importance of adjusting the feathering radius to avoid a blurry selection and suggests testing a small area first to determine the appropriate feathering level. The video concludes with an invitation to explore more advanced techniques for background removal through additional resources provided.

Takeaways

  • 🎨 Use GIMP's AI technology and the Scissors Select Tool to remove backgrounds from photos easily and efficiently.
  • 📌 The Scissors Select Tool, formerly known as the Intelligent Scissors Tool, is a powerful and user-friendly option for making selections.
  • ⚡ Compared to the older tool, the Path Tool, the Scissors Select Tool requires fewer clicks and is quicker to use for making selections.
  • 📍 Start by adding an anchor point along the edge of the subject in the background to initiate the selection process.
  • 🔄 Use the Space Bar to navigate around the image while adding anchor points and creating the selection path.
  • 💡 Increase the number of anchor points in areas with quick direction changes for a more precise selection.
  • 🚫 Avoid including stray hairs or fine details in the initial selection; there are dedicated tutorials for those.
  • 🔗 Utilize the interactive boundary feature in the tool options for an easier tracing experience along the subject's edge.
  • 📉 Turn off or reduce the feather edges radius before finalizing the selection to ensure precision along the subject's edge.
  • ✅ Test the selection with a small area before applying it to the entire image to confirm the feathering settings are correct.
  • 📚 Follow additional tutorials for more advanced techniques and to further improve your background removal skills.

Q & A

  • What is the main topic of the transcript?

    -The main topic of the transcript is how to use GIMP's AI technology, specifically the 'Scissors Select Tool', to remove backgrounds from photos.

  • Why was the 'Intelligent Scissors Tool' renamed to 'Scissors Select Tool'?

    -The transcript does not provide a specific reason for the name change, but emphasizes that the tool remains very intelligent and effective for making selections.

  • How does the Scissors Select Tool compare to the previous tool in terms of ease of use?

    -The Scissors Select Tool is described as much quicker and easier to use compared to the previous tool, making the selection process more efficient.

  • What is one of the pro tips shared for using the Scissors Select Tool effectively?

    -One pro tip is to increase the number of anchor points or place them closer together when there are short and quick changes in direction along the edge of the subject.

  • How can you navigate to different parts of the image while using the Scissors Select Tool?

    -You can navigate to different parts of the image by holding down the space bar and moving the image around as needed.

  • What is the interactive boundary feature in the tool options?

    -The interactive boundary feature, when turned on, allows the tool to automatically adhere to the edge of the subject as you trace the outline, making the selection process smoother.

  • How can you correct a mistake when adding anchor points with the Scissors Select Tool?

    -You can correct a mistake by clicking and dragging the existing anchor point to the desired location, which will automatically adjust the path to the new position.

  • Why is it important to adjust the feathering radius when making a selection?

    -Adjusting the feathering radius is important because it affects the precision of the selection edge. Too much feathering can cause the selection to be inaccurate, so it's recommended to start with a smaller radius and test it on a small area.

  • What is the recommended feathering radius to start with when using the Scissors Select Tool?

    -The recommended feathering radius to start with is around five or smaller, and then adjust based on the specific image and desired selection precision.

  • How can you avoid a common problem when finalizing a selection with the Scissors Select Tool?

    -To avoid a common problem, ensure that the feather edges option is not set too high before finalizing the selection. A lower feathering radius, like four and a half, is suggested for more precise selection edges.

  • Where can viewers find more tutorials on advanced photo editing techniques like removing backgrounds?

    -Viewers can find more tutorials on advanced photo editing techniques by checking out the playlist mentioned in the transcript, which contains numerous ways to remove backgrounds.

Outlines

00:00

🎨 Introduction to AI-Powered Background Removal

This paragraph introduces the viewer to an artificial intelligence tool designed for removing backgrounds from photos. The speaker expresses enthusiasm about demonstrating how to use this AI to enhance photo editing skills. An image with and without the background is shown, and the presenter mentions a tutorial for creating realistic drop shadows. The focus is on the 'scissors select tool,' once known as the 'intelligent scissors tool,' which is praised for its efficiency and ease of use compared to older methods. A comparison is made with the 'lasso tool' to illustrate the advancements in ease of use.

05:01

📌 Using the Scissors Select Tool for Precision Selections

The speaker provides a step-by-step guide on using the 'scissors select tool' to create a selection path around a subject in an image. Tips are shared for navigating the image, adding anchor points, and adjusting the path. The process of using the 'lasso tool' is demonstrated to show its complexity and the benefits of the 'scissors select tool.' Pro tips are promised throughout the demonstration, focusing on techniques to refine the selection process. The importance of adding anchor points in areas with quick direction changes and using the space bar for navigation are highlighted. The paragraph concludes with a mention of another tutorial for retaining fine hair detail.

10:01

🔍 Advanced Tips for the Intelligent Scissors Tool

The paragraph delves into advanced techniques for using the 'scissors select tool,' including how to adjust the tool's settings to avoid common issues. The presenter explains how to use the interactive boundary feature for tracing along the subject's edge and how to correct mistakes without starting over. The importance of closing the selection path correctly is emphasized, along with a pro tip on avoiding poor selection quality due to high feathering settings. The speaker recommends testing with a small radius for feathering and adjusting based on the specific image. The paragraph concludes with a recommendation to explore more advanced techniques in a dedicated playlist for further skill enhancement.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡GIMP

GIMP stands for GNU Image Manipulation Program. It is a free and open-source raster graphics editor used for image editing and manipulation. In the video, GIMP is used to demonstrate how to remove backgrounds from photos using its AI technology.

💡Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Artificial Intelligence refers to the simulation of human intelligence in machines that are programmed to think like humans and mimic their actions. In the context of the video, AI is integrated into GIMP to assist in the automated removal of photo backgrounds.

💡Scissors Select Tool

The Scissors Select Tool in GIMP is a feature that allows for the selection of an image's subject by creating a path along the edges of the subject. It was formerly known as the Intelligent Scissors Tool. The video emphasizes its ease of use and efficiency in making selections compared to other tools.

💡Anchor Points

Anchor points are used in the Scissors Select Tool to define the start and end points of a selection path. They are essential for creating precise selections around the subject of an image. The video demonstrates how to add and adjust anchor points for a better selection.

💡Path

A path in GIMP is a series of points and lines that define the outline or shape of a selection. It is used to separate the subject from the background. The video shows how the AI technology in GIMP can create a path that closely follows the subject's edge.

💡Feathering

Feathering in image editing refers to the gradual blending of the edges of a selection into the surrounding pixels. It creates a soft transition rather than a hard edge. The video explains the importance of adjusting the feathering radius for precise selection and how to test different feathering levels.

💡Pro Tips

Pro Tips are professional advice or tricks that can enhance the efficiency and quality of a task. In the video, the presenter shares several pro tips on how to get the most out of the Scissors Select Tool and achieve better results when removing backgrounds.

💡Drop Shadow

A drop shadow is a visual effect that gives the impression of a shadow cast by an object onto a surface. The video mentions creating a drop shadow as an additional editing step after removing the background, suggesting it as a technique to give depth to the edited image.

💡Thumbnail

A thumbnail is a small, representative image used to give a preview of a larger picture or video. In the context of the video, a new background was added to the thumbnail for the tutorial, which is an example of enhancing the visual appeal of the content.

💡Interactive Boundary

Interactive Boundary is an option within the Scissors Select Tool's settings that allows the user to trace along the edge of a subject, with the tool automatically adhering to the edge. This feature is highlighted in the video as a significant time-saver and facilitator of precise selections.

💡Selection

In image editing, a selection refers to the process of defining a particular area of an image for further manipulation, such as moving, editing, or masking. The video focuses on using the Scissors Select Tool to create accurate selections for the purpose of background removal.

Highlights

GIMP has an AI-powered tool for removing backgrounds from photos.

The tool is called the Scissors Select Tool, previously known as the Intelligent Scissors Tool.

The Scissors Select Tool is quicker and easier to use compared to the previous tool.

The tutorial provides a comparison between the Scissors Select Tool and the past tool.

The Scissors Select Tool can create a path with just two clicks.

Pro tips are shared for getting the most out of the Scissors Select Tool.

Increasing the number of anchor points improves selection in areas with quick direction changes.

The space bar can be used to navigate around the image.

The tutorial offers a method for retaining fine hair detail in selections.

A technique is shown for correcting paths that go inside the subject.

The Interactive Boundary feature allows for tracing the subject's edge.

Turning on Interactive Boundary makes the path automatically adhere to the edge.

The Feather Edges option can cause the selection to not adhere precisely to the edge.

A pro tip suggests setting the Feather Edges radius to around five for better precision.

Testing a small area before finalizing the selection can prevent errors.

The tutorial demonstrates how to close the path for the selection.

The Scissors Select Tool is significantly faster than the past tool even with additional steps.

Additional tutorials are available for mastering background removal techniques.