Layers Question

[ridon127]

I want to do something like Maxine did in her just for fun clip. I am not sure how she did the image of the man and child. I guess I am not sure how to save it as a seperate layer and how do you do the cut out of the man and child?
donna

[momoffduty]

The easiest way to remove an object is to use the Magic Extractor tool. Under Image>magic extractor. A dialog box will open and you select a foreground brush and then the background brush. This will erase the background and keep the foreground.

Another way is the magnetic lasso tool to select the section you want to cut out and paste on a blank transparent file. I think you have to simplify the background layer first.

If you have the All in One book, there are step by step instructions. Hope this helps, I am new to Photoshop.

[ridon127]

Thanks Mom. I don't have the all in one book, just PrEl in a Snap. I will try and see what I get. I have had photoshop for a long time but didn't have a clue what to do with it until I found this forum and Elements User Forums. I,m still not sure what I am doing but am getting better.
Thanks again. I really appreciate everyones patience and help I get here.
Donna

[momoffduty]

Do you have Photoshop Elements 5? When I registered mine, I was sent an email from Adobe to theirs users tutorials. There are 11 tutorials free and one was on the magic extractor.

Cutting out the pic is on the same concept that you did with the cut out star shape only using different tools. I spent time when I first got the product and played with the various tools and looking at the help section. Of course work on a copy of a pic.

The All in One is worth it! There are too many options in photoshop and the book is step by step like the the Snap. Photoshop is more frustrating to me than PE3.

[ridon127]

I know what you mean about Photoshop. I thought PrEl was a challenge, but after finding this website and getting a friend to show me how to put pics onto the timeline, this is a piece of cake compared to Photshop. I do have PSE 5. I played with PSE some but since I had no clue what everything was and the help menu wasn't much help, I just put it on the shelf and used the program that came with my point and shoot camera. It was a whole lot easier. I now, I have gotten better at both programs, especially this one. I will have to get the all in one book.
Thanks again for your help
Donna

[Clayton]

Donna, I find the classroom in a book series to be helpful in learning the basics.

[ridon127]

Clayton,
I will check it out.
Thanks
Donna

[John 'twosheds' McDonald]

Caveat: this book mentioned below is aimed at full Photoshop users. It may cover a lot of Photoshop Elements tasks but I am afraid I cannot say with confidence as I don't use Photoshop Elements.

Laid out in a 'how to perform a task' style (or 'jump in anywhere' rather like the 'In a Snap' books) it is easy to dip into for reference.

It is "The Photoshop Book for Digital Photographers" by Scott Kelby; ISBN 0-7357-1236-0.

[Chuck Engels]

I would recommend any books by Scott Kelby, he also has a number of Photoshop Elements books and I own one of them myself. He has a great technique for doing collages and making images blend together.

[ridon127]

Thanks, I will go by B&N today and see if they have some. I try not to get out in this dang heat anymore than necessary but have to get these young'uns some school clothes.
Donna