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Intro

This extraction technique is the simplest way to extract an image. There are a few steps to observe, and there are far more steps to include going even further with this technique.

For those that would rather use the EXTRACTION TOOL, and are comfortable with it, Use it. But, the extraction tool can only do so much, especially with hair, branches, grass, and any other fractal.

For those that would like less hand extracting of the image, and more detail, than this technique is for you.

As said, this technique has more steps to follow to really get a great extraction, but what I am sharing is the basics of this technique.

Step One: Garbage Matte

A garbage matte basically is the information that you do not want to extract. Taking the garbage out. The less information in the extraction, the fewer headaches.

Click BG layer holding down the alt key at the same time to create a 0 layer.

Take a tool like the polygonal tool and click up to the image to be extracted, then click outside of the whole image beyond the borders, link up to the beginning of the line until you see the little o. when you see marching ants, delete the 'garbage'. If done correctly, you will see a checkered BG.

Repeat steps until image to be extracted is almost clean of garbage.

The less info you have competing with the extraction, the easier the alpha channel.

Alpha Channel Extraction (simple version)

Now you have a rough outline of the image to be extracted.

Go into Channels.

Turn off one of the RGB one at a time.

Find within the Red Blue or Green layers which Black and White image has the Best contrast.

Remember the RGB layer that has the Worst contrast. This will play later.

Copy this channel layer.

Go to Image at the top of the drop down menu.

Apply image.

In apply image in the channel box. Select one of the other channel layers of the Green, Blue, or Red that has the Worst contrast.

Blending is screen.

Press ok.

Press control I to invert the image.

Basic extraction rules are. White is what you want to extract. Black is the rest of the image.

Go back to the drop down menu, Image/Adjustments/ Levels.

Slide the white and black sliders back and forth until the image you want to extract is as white as can be. This is your opportunity to get as much detail as possible especially hair, trees, bushes, fractals of many kinds.

Again, White extracts the image, black does not.

Press ok when satisfied.

Go back into channels, making sure the copy of the channel you selected is highlighted

Click load selection.

Click your RGB channel layer to turn on.

Click on the layers tab.

Look at the marching ants to see if there is any clean up you need to do with what ever favorite tool you want. I prefer the Polygonal and the Magnetic Tool to do whatever clean up there is.

Take out any other garbage left over.

What you have left is the image you want to extract without a lot of hand drawing with a paint brush, or an extraction tool.

When using low resolution images, the Clone Tool, Heal Tool, Dodge Tool, and Burn Tool will help clean up any bad edges.

From here, select the image, and either Copy and Paste, or Drag and Drop into what your

Heart desires.

This technique works with ANY picture. The background does not matter. Obviously, the better the resolution, the better the extraction.

There are more advanced Alpha Channel extractions to use, but this is the down and dirty basic one.

I hope this helps.

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