How to Remove Objects With Photoshop

Create an image mask by removing part of the image with Photoshop

Adobe Photoshop is among the most popular software titles used to enhance photo images and create an amazing array of visual effects. These elements may consist of both photos and graphic designs arranged in various layers until the desired effect is achieved. An important tool in creating complex effects uses the technique of hiding an object in one image layer to reveal an object from another layer. "Masking" refers to hiding or revealing objects between layers. Adobe Photoshop has a number of tools designed to create masks.

Things You'll Need

• Adobe Photoshop CS2 or later versions

Instructions

1. Open an image in Photoshop by clicking "File", then "Open" from the menu.

2. Enter "Ctrl" and "A" on the keyboard to select the image and enter "Ctrl" and "X" to cut the image.

3. Click "Layer", then "New", then "Layer" from the menu to add an additional layer to the image.

4. Type "Mask" in the New Layer "Name" field and click the "OK" button.

5. Enter "Ctrl" and "V" on the keyboard to paste the image into the "Mask" layer.

6. Choose the object in the image you want to remove and press the "L" key from the keyboard to select the Lasso tool.

7. Carefully trace the object using the Lasso tool as your mouse cursor. Make sure to end the outline exactly where you began.

8. Click "Layer" then "Layer Mask" and "Hide Selection" from the menu to remove the object you traced from the image. Note the Background layer is revealed where the object you removed was.

Tips & Warnings

• The default Lasso tool requires precise freehand manipulation of the mouse cursor to accurately trace the object. Photoshop includes a sub-set of Lasso tools that provide assistance with how tracing the object. Click the small triangle at the lower right corner of the Lasso tool icon in the Tools window. Select either the Polygonal or Magnetic Lasso tools to improve the limitations of the freehand Lasso tool. The Polygonal tool allows you to click points to create lines. This approach works best with geometrical objects. Use the Magnetic Lasso tool to trace "high contrast" objects that are much brighter or darker than the background. The Magnetic Lasso tool cursor "sticks" to the foreground objects by recognizing differences in image contrast.

References

• help.adobe.com: About layer and vector masks