There are a few ways to cut out an image in Photoshop. One way is to use the Object selection tool and make a selection around the area you want to cut out. You can also use the Free Select tool to make a free selection around the area you want to cut out. Both of these methods work well, but they both have their limitations.
The best way to cut out an image is to use the Layer Mask feature in Photoshop. With this feature, you can mask out any part of the image by hiding it with a layer mask. This method is very versatile and allows you to control how much of the image is visible.
In this article, I’ll show you how to cut out an image in Photoshop with three of the most common methods.
2 Methods for CUT OUT AN IMAGE in Photoshop
A successful cut-out depends on a precise selection. If you don’t do this, things will never integrate realistically. There are several different methods you can use to select the subject to cut out an image in Photoshop, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. If you’re not a Photoshop user, the Apowersoft Background Eraser tool is a handy way to do it with one click.
Method 1: Quick Select
The tool is based on a brush that you will use to select the area you want to paint. There are Photoshop plugins that can help with this, but the integrated tool has become so good with the latest versions, that they are no longer necessary.
The wonderful thing about this brush is that you can just make broad strokes, and it will automatically find the edges of the area to make the selection more precise. This tool is best when you have large blocks that are clearly separated by color, contrast, or focus. Let’s take a look at how to cut out an image using this tool.
Step 1: Grab the Quick Selection tool
In Adobe Photoshop, you can group tools into sets that work in a similar way. For example, the Object Selection toolset is found on the left side of your screen, and from there you can select the Quick Selection brush.
Step 2: Start painting
For areas that are small, use a small brush. If it’s too large, you risk going over the edges and selecting something you don’t need. With the brush tool, you can simply click and drag to paint on your canvas.
Step 3: Fine-tune
To check your selection, you can zoom in on it by using the mode Add or Subtract on the Options bar at the top. When you’re in the correct painting mode, just click and drag the brush again to fine-tune the area.
Step 4: Cut out
If you want to remove the background from an image, you can delete it by pressing the backspace key. If you want to hide a layer, use a Layer Mask. This way, you’ll always have the chance to make adjustments later on.
Method 2: Select and Mask
The Select and Mask tool was introduced in Adobe Photoshop CS6 as a replacement for the Refine Edge tool. It is more of a task space than a tool, so if you’re using Adobe Photoshop CS6 you won’t find it. There are a number of different selection tools that you can use to select text for your document. Different selection tools can be used alone or in combination with other tools to help select text for your document. Select and Mask is a feature that allows you to refine a selection by masking out certain portions of the image.
Step 1: Make the first selection
You can do a basic selection using any tool that you feel comfortable with. For example, the Quick Selection tool is explained in the previous section. For my image, any lasso tool should be fine, but if you want to use the Subject Selection tool, it’s okay.
Step 2: Open Select & Mask
If your selection looks good, but still needs some work, you can use Select and Mask. This can help you out when selecting hair or fur. To open the task space, you can either click on the Select and Mask button from the top bar or access it from the Selection menu. The task space will be launched.
Step 3: Choose your working background
This workspace allows you to change the way you see your image so that you can make better selections. On the right-hand side, there is a View Mode panel which will allow you to control the opacity of the background, make your selection black on a white background, and various other options. You can choose whichever one works best for seeing detail in each area of your image.
Step 4: Refine Edge
To correct a mistake on the edge of your hair or fur, you can use the Refine Edge Brush Tool. First, choose the tool you want to use from the left side of the tool panel. Then, determine how wide and long your brush should be based on what area you’re working on. Finally, paint over any areas that need to be corrected.
Step 5: Fine-tune
You can use the sliders on the Properties panel to adjust the selection. After you have made your selection, zoom out and check the overall image. If you find something else that you need to correct, you can use any of the tools from the left panel.
How to Cut Out an Image in Photoshop | Final Words
That’s it. You can use any number of methods to cut out an image in Photoshop, but more often than not, you’ll need to combine different tools. To remove the background from an image, you need to make sure that your selection is as accurate as possible. Once you’ve cut out your image, you can experiment with creating a collage of all your favorite images – check out our guide to creating a grid in Photoshop to learn one simple way to do it.
