Dumb Question about Photoshop
onegirlcreative (1092 points) | Tue, 2007-04-17 16:05Hello designers!
I don't get the opportunity to use PHotoshop that often, so whenever I need to create a mask or a path—say for instance, around a photo to mask out the background—I always forget how to. I know, it should be basic, simple Graphic Design stuff. What a geek!
Anyway, my question is, not only do I do this, but I want to ensure that when I place the masked photo into Illustrator or InDesign, there is no background (i.e. white) that would interfere with my design.
I hope this makes sense.
Any help would be appreciated.
thanks!
Suzanne
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"I am not sick. I am broken. But I am happy as long as I can paint." ~ Frida Kahlo
Commenting on this Forum topic is closed.
Depending on the detail of the picture.
Click the "Edit in Quickmask mode" [keyboard shortcut "Q"] button at the bottom of the tool palette:
Paint around the object using a large brush for most of it and then zoom in and use a smaller brush to refine the edges, once you've done that you can switch back to normal mode using the "Edit in standard mode" and the area you painted around will be selected.
Alternatively use the pen tool to trace around it and then select the 'Paths' palette click the "Load path as selection' button at the bottom of the palette and it'll select the path you've just drawn.
www.jamnittygritty.com
Forget about using clipping paths, etc. Just make the image a layer (by double clicking the background layer and hitting OK) and get rid of the background (the part you don't want) any way you wish (eraser tool, etc.) then save the file as a .psd (layered photoshop document). You can import a .psd file into InDesign and/or Illustrator.
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I definitely appreciate the advice. I tried plugz' advice, and I forgot to mention that I had already used the lasso tool to mask out the background, etc. I just couldn't remember how to create a clipping path so when I place the pic into an Illustrator document, the background is transparent—not a bounding white box.
I think your idea will work better, Creative Guy. I will try that. Thanks for your replies, both of you.
Suzanne
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"I am not sick. I am broken. But I am happy as long as I can paint." ~ Frida Kahlo
www.onegirlcreative.com
The clipping path is actually the BEST way to do what you need because once you're done, you can label the path as a 'clipping path' and you're done as long as your file is saved as an eps, tif or psd. And you accomplish this non-destructively.
More on clipping paths:
http://desktoppub.about.com/od/clippingpaths/Clipping_Paths_and_Background_Removal_Tutorials.htm
Probably one of the best articles on the aforementioned site:
http://desktoppub.about.com/od/clippingpaths/ss/clippingpath_6.htm
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Client: "can you guys make it more like a power-point presentation, you know, with the sliding text stuff and all?" (http://clientcopia.com/quotes.php?id=7)
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Dirt and Rust
Is also pretty handy. Well not a 'TOOL' per se, but under the filter command you have the option to 'Extract' Just trace around the image with the highlighter and then fill in the area to retain with the paint bucket and VOILA it removes all extraneous info (ie the background). There are also tools like 'edge touch up brush' to smooth out the border between the clipped object and teh background.
Mind you, you lose the background permanently as opposed to clipping path and saving it as a EPS.
"Try not, Do! or do not, there is no try."
-Yoda
That could be useful for an alternative, as well. Thanks!
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"I am not sick. I am broken. But I am happy as long as I can paint." ~ Frida Kahlo
www.onegirlcreative.com
http://www.tdesigns.co.za
http://www.tdesigns.co.za/
Hello!
Can someone please help?
I need to place a photo in illustrator with no background.
I've saved the photo as a tif & it's got a clipping path, but it keeps on making a white background in illustrator? when we create a eps it's the same story, we are using illustrator cs2.
http://www.tdesigns.co.za
http://www.tdesigns.co.za/
thanx! i've now noticed it only works with psds?!
thanx!!!!
at work we have millions of photo's of products & we always save them with clipping path & as tiffs, but i suppose we will just have to resave it as psds with no backgrounds to get use it in illustrator.
thanx!
terina
http://www.tdesigns.co.za/
Everyone had helpful comments, but a really quick and easy way is to use the path tool. If you're good at it this can be a very quick way. Also- always create a copy of the layer before making any changes in case you need to go back to the original. Try this website: www.planetphotoshop.com. It has very useful video tutorials and a recent one about clipping with alpha channels. very informative and quick!
Thanx! I do make use of the path tool. just struggled to get the photo's into illustrator without a white background. but now i know you have to make a psd file.
thanx!
http://www.tdesigns.co.za/
Just make sure you have your path labeled as a 'clipping path' and not just a path or it will not clip.
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Client: "can you guys make it more like a power-point presentation, you know, with the sliding text stuff and all?" (http://clientcopia.com/quotes.php?id=7)
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Dirt and Rust
hello! thanx! i do make a clipping path, it works. but today i noticed that when you print a pdf there is still a little bit of a difference in the colour if the bounding box of the image goes over a background colour. it's weird. i think i need to re-install my illustrator. i was struggling to select things?!
after a bit of struggling we got the posters to the printers today & they were happy! so thanks guys for the help!
terina
http://www.tdesigns.co.za/
You're better off placing a non layered file for best print results (fewer variables).
Try ripping a PDF/X-1a of your file with any clipped images saved as eps or tif and not set to overprint, and not underneath any other objects, if possible.
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Client: "can you guys make it more like a power-point presentation, you know, with the sliding text stuff and all?" (http://clientcopia.com/quotes.php?id=7)
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Dirt and Rust
thanx! will try that! :)
http://www.tdesigns.co.za/
I forgot: Make sure your images are CMYK not RGB.
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Client: "can you guys make it more like a power-point presentation, you know, with the sliding text stuff and all?" (http://clientcopia.com/quotes.php?id=7)
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Dirt and Rust
If you want to know more about clipping path then you can try some video tutorial where all the steps are briefly described. You can try the following site to know about clipping path process - http://clippingpathindia.com/clipping-path.html
Atiqur Sumon
Best Clipping Path Service Provider
If you save the file as an EPS then you can import it to Illustrator, InDesign, etc. With no background. EPS files support clipped paths.