dkb wrote:
> Probably I am not explaining my problem properly--- I
> shall replete it again---- I have a picture which shows
> two persons? Out of the picture I want to extract only
> one person from the picture --- cropping crops a
> rectangular picture---- the MS paint ‘star tool’ copies
> for me not an exact portion inside the contour of the
> picture that I want (because of my limitations in the
> smooth hand drawing) and thus I am not in a position to
> extract it with these programs?
===================================
Sounds like you are trying to make a cutout.
Try the free 60 day trial version of MS Digital
Image...(I've added instructions on making
the cutout below)

This is a downloadable trial version with much
of the functionality of MS Digital Image Suite
2006.

Once your 60 day trial period has ended, the
program will de-feature to minimal functionality.

Microsoft Digital Image
Starter Edition 2006
http://tinyurl.com/8x6ea

Be aware that it's a 109 MB download....


How to save a cutout as a separate object:

First, choose the Freehand Selection Tool
and carefully outline your subject by Left click
/ Dragging your Pointer. Just think of carefully
cutting out a paperdoll with scissors.


After you define your selection (cutout), copy
the selected object by typing...Ctrl+C...
(Also...you can add the cutout as a separate
layer to the original image by typing...Ctrl+D)

Now... open a blank canvas by left clicking
the "New" button (or Ctrl+N)...and Paste the
cutout...Ctrl+V...the blank will autofit the cutout.


You can smooth the edges of your finished
cutout by going to...Effects / Edges / Soft...
one or two points should do it.

So the simple steps are...

1) Define your selection with the
Advanced Selection tools...
2) Ctrl+C
3) Ctrl+N
4) Ctrl+V

Now you can open the image that you wish
to add the cutout to and drag the cutout onto
it. The cutout can be resized by dragging the
corner handles and repositioned by dragging
the 4-way arrow. Also...a selected object can
be nudged into position with your arrow keys.

--

John Inzer
MS Picture It! MVP
How to ask a newsgroup question:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375