Best tool for cutouts

joe_gibb · May 22, 2005, 07:03 AM

What's your preferred way of extracting objects from their backgrounds? Pen Tool/Quick Mask, Extract Filter or plugins?

Joe.

neildmitchell · May 22, 2005, 02:32 PM

Depends on what you are trying to extract?
If its a rather simple shape I would use the pen tool, for larger more complex objects that have clean edges I would use Quick Mask, for fuzzy edges try the extract filter

joe_gibb · Jul 24, 2005, 09:18 AM

Just a quick update on the VertusTech Fluid Mask plugin I asked about a couple of months ago.

As a free trial is now available to download I thought I'd give it a try and post a very basic review.

I've always been wary of plugins like this when PS already comes with a built-in Extract Filter, but this time the developers have done a terrific job of making cutouts easier, faster and more accurate than I could achieve using the traditional tools.

Fluid Mask's pencil and brush tools enable objects to be cut out quickly and easily and I often found that a single brush stroke was all that was needed to identify an object’s edges and from there it was simply a matter of assigning the mask type I wanted.

The only downside I can see is the $400 price tag. I know they're aiming this tool at pros who do a lot of this stuff, but the amateur has probably more to gain from using it.

Joe.

mikebatho · Jul 25, 2005, 06:52 PM

I use the pen tool for pretty much everything.

I'll ise the hoop if I'm just dragging a chunk of something from one section to another, but I've never liked any other method for detailed cutouts as much as the pen tool.

It also gives you the freedom to 'ignore' any bits you find you don't want as you clip round your object.

There ar ea number of different automated ways of clipping things & masking things, but I always come back to the old fashioned pen cut out...

joe_gibb · Sep 27, 2005, 07:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joe_gibb

The only downside I can see is the $400 price tag. I know they're aiming this tool at pros who do a lot of this stuff, but the amateur has probably more to gain from using it.

Just updating this post with new info for the sake of completeness.

The developers have recently reduced the price of this plugin to $249/£179 + increased the free upgrade period from six months to twelve. An improvement no doubt but still a little pricey.

revenuee · Sep 27, 2005, 07:47 AM

long live quick mask

widgetguy · Sep 30, 2005, 12:17 AM

some ay pen tool, but i think if ya a pro with it and want to it prefect use the lasso tool i love it

s4tok · Jul 12, 2006, 09:50 PM

Just an update to an old thread

In 2006 Fluid Mask came out with Version 2, for Mac and Windows, and is now state-of-the-art industry standard - with a revolutionary "jigsaw" analysis / interface.

The web-site offers a free trial download and an active user forum.

May 22, 2005, 07:03 AM	#1
joe_gibb macrumors newbie Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: UK	Best tool for cutouts What's your preferred way of extracting objects from their backgrounds? Pen Tool/Quick Mask, Extract Filter or plugins? Joe.

Sep 27, 2005, 07:47 AM	#6
revenuee macrumors 68020 Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: A place where i am supreme emporer	long live quick mask __________________ "I trust blindly, but the hell I will unleash when i get crossed is like nothing you have ever seen" - ME "Girls Girls Girls" - Motley Crue

Sep 30, 2005, 12:17 AM	#7
widgetguy macrumors regular Join Date: Apr 2005	some ay pen tool, but i think if ya a pro with it and want to it prefect use the lasso tool i love it __________________ MACBOOK "BLACK" 2.0GHZ 2GB, 80GB, SUPERDRIVE G5 PowerMac 1.6Ghz 80gb. 200gb. 4GB RAM ext.250gb ext. 500gb Ram Superdrive

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May 22, 2005, 02:32 PM	#2
neildmitchell macrumors 6502a Join Date: May 2005 Location: California	Depends on what you are trying to extract? If its a rather simple shape I would use the pen tool, for larger more complex objects that have clean edges I would use Quick Mask, for fuzzy edges try the extract filter

Jul 24, 2005, 09:18 AM	#3
joe_gibb Thread Starter macrumors newbie Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: UK	Just a quick update on the VertusTech Fluid Mask plugin I asked about a couple of months ago. As a free trial is now available to download I thought I'd give it a try and post a very basic review. I've always been wary of plugins like this when PS already comes with a built-in Extract Filter, but this time the developers have done a terrific job of making cutouts easier, faster and more accurate than I could achieve using the traditional tools. Fluid Mask's pencil and brush tools enable objects to be cut out quickly and easily and I often found that a single brush stroke was all that was needed to identify an object’s edges and from there it was simply a matter of assigning the mask type I wanted. The only downside I can see is the $400 price tag. I know they're aiming this tool at pros who do a lot of this stuff, but the amateur has probably more to gain from using it. Joe.

Jul 25, 2005, 06:52 PM	#4
mikebatho macrumors 6502a Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Greater Manchester UK	I use the pen tool for pretty much everything. I'll ise the hoop if I'm just dragging a chunk of something from one section to another, but I've never liked any other method for detailed cutouts as much as the pen tool. It also gives you the freedom to 'ignore' any bits you find you don't want as you clip round your object. There ar ea number of different automated ways of clipping things & masking things, but I always come back to the old fashioned pen cut out...

Jul 12, 2006, 09:50 PM	#8
s4tok macrumors newbie Join Date: Jul 2006	Just an update to an old thread In 2006 Fluid Mask came out with Version 2, for Mac and Windows, and is now state-of-the-art industry standard - with a revolutionary "jigsaw" analysis / interface. The web-site offers a free trial download and an active user forum.