John Inzer wrote:
> dkb wrote:
>
>> Thanks for your detalied guidance. I shall download this
>> file later at the time when there is lean Internet
>> traffice at this time in this part of the world.
>
> =========================================
> You're welcome. BTW, what part of the world are you posting from?
> =========================================
>
>> I am sorry not to have defined the problem properly---yes
>> it is the cutout (proper word) that I am in need of. I
>> shall try it and see whether later I can afford it to
>> purchase.
>
> =========================================
> Let us know if you require further assistance.
>
Thank You very much. I have downloaded the file and used it. Yes this is
what I needed. I am from India.
Thanks again.

dkb wrote:
> Thank You very much. I have downloaded
> the file and used it. Yes this is what I needed.
> I am from India.
> Thanks again.
==================================
Excellent! Thanks for the update.

--

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

dkb wrote:
> John Inzer wrote:
>
>> dkb wrote:
>>
>>> Thanks for your detalied guidance. I shall download this
>>> file later at the time when there is lean Internet
>>> traffice at this time in this part of the world.
>>
>>
>> =========================================
>> You're welcome. BTW, what part of the world are you posting from?
>> =========================================
>>
>>> I am sorry not to have defined the problem properly---yes
>>> it is the cutout (proper word) that I am in need of. I
>>> shall try it and see whether later I can afford it to
>>> purchase.
>>
>>
>> =========================================
>> Let us know if you require further assistance.
>>
> Thank You very much. I have downloaded the file and used it. Yes this is
> what I needed. I am from India.

In Photoshop (and Photoshop Elements) this is called "selection", and
can be done either by free drawing, assisted drawing (magic wand), or
by color range. For many photos, color range provides a very good start
at a mask, which can be easily touched up by drawing in quickmask mode.

For difficult cases (like fine or blowing hair against a background)
there are great (but expensive) add-ins for Photoshop (like Knockout)
that create extremely detailed masks quickly.

For most people, who rarely have a difficult case, the ordinary
process is best, but may require some patience in detailed areas
with little color contrast.

-michael

Music synthesis for 8-bit Apple II's!
Home page: http://members.aol.com/MJMahon/

"The wastebasket is our most important design
tool--and it is seriously underused."

Michael J. Mahon wrote:
> dkb wrote:
>
>> John Inzer wrote:
>>
>>> dkb wrote:
>>>
>>>> Thanks for your detalied guidance. I shall download this
>>>> file later at the time when there is lean Internet
>>>> traffice at this time in this part of the world.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> =========================================
>>> You're welcome. BTW, what part of the world are you posting from?
>>> =========================================
>>>
>>>> I am sorry not to have defined the problem properly---yes
>>>> it is the cutout (proper word) that I am in need of. I
>>>> shall try it and see whether later I can afford it to
>>>> purchase.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> =========================================
>>> Let us know if you require further assistance.
>>>
>> Thank You very much. I have downloaded the file and used it. Yes this
>> is what I needed. I am from India.
>
>
> In Photoshop (and Photoshop Elements) this is called "selection", and
> can be done either by free drawing, assisted drawing (magic wand), or
> by color range. For many photos, color range provides a very good start
> at a mask, which can be easily touched up by drawing in quickmask mode.
>
> For difficult cases (like fine or blowing hair against a background)
> there are great (but expensive) add-ins for Photoshop (like Knockout)
> that create extremely detailed masks quickly.
>
> For most people, who rarely have a difficult case, the ordinary
> process is best, but may require some patience in detailed areas
> with little color contrast.
>
> -michael
>
> Music synthesis for 8-bit Apple II's!
> Home page: http://members.aol.com/MJMahon/
>
> "The wastebasket is our most important design
> tool--and it is seriously underused."
Thanks for yet another guidance. I do not have Photoshop.Whenever I am
in a position to purchase it, I would love to try this too. For the time
being this Microsoft Digital Image Starter edition has done my job and
I feel it is a user friendly program and has a very simple procedure for
the item that I wanted and besides has a 60 days trial period and then
the cost $69.95.

Hi your first step Should Be Make A Copy never work on the original.

John Inzer wrote:
> 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.
>

robert wrote:
>
> Hi your first step Should Be Make A Copy never work on the original.

Or just learn to *always* use "Save as..." and rename your
derivative files with derivative names.

-michael

Home page: http://members.aol.com/MJMahon/

"The wastebasket is our most important design
tool--and it is seriously underused."