Extractor

[fayech]

I just purchased Elements 5 this week - and my first digital camera during summer. . . so am still very new. I was able to come up with some really nice shots using Photoshop Starter Edition - decided I was a pro and purchased Elements. . . and have spent hours and hours just trying to figure things out.

I really wanted to be able to use extractor (rather than just cropping), printed out instructions and just can't make it work. I make a new layer, put my marks on with magic extractor brushes and can't go any further. Instructions say click ok - I can't even find that. Help please.

thanks

[OFD678]

what kinda of project are you working on?

Just my opinion, but the extractor tools is very hard to use tool to make look nice and many other tools can do what it does, much easier and faster.

All kinds of help on the forum.

Many times if a tool is not working, you may not have the layer active that you want. Make sure the layer you are working on is active, if it is active it will be highllighted in the layers pallete on the right side of your screen (if it is a new layer and blank the tool won't work) and then try the tool

Welcome and let us know what you want to do and eveyone will help.

[fayech]

I will try again and attempt to make sure layer is active. I've never worked in layers before.

I just wanted to be able to, for instance, move a person from a photo with a crummy background and create a new shot (ugly wall, electrical wires) or conversely remove ugly background. I knew it looked too easy . . .

Can you move something out and make a new photo (so to speak) or can one only move something to an exisiting shot?

I appreciate any input or tips on getting to know the program. I thought I would get the complimentary training when I registered but, alas, I must have not checked the correct little squares.

[GaryK]

Hi

You may still be able to get the training from Adobe.. just email them and tell them you did not recieve a link to the training site.
From what I understand they are not the quickest at replying, but I can't say for sure.

The extractor works best on areas with a lot of contrast.

What you want to try is possible with elements but will take a bit of practise and, depending on the photo, a bit of time.

Layers really are the key to unlocking the power of this program.

There is always help around here (forums) for free, as well, there is a subscriber area with tons of tutorials and videos.

The forums are pretty much just users all with different levels of ability and experience and all willing to help one another.

Have a look around the site, check out the galleries and I think they still have some free vidieos.

this is not a quick program to learn so take some time and enjoy the trip:D

[OFD678]

Gary is right, it is not the easiest thing to learn, but it sure if fun.

You can accomplish what you want to do with a few tools and some practice.

Several ways: books, tutorials, videos and of course help from the forum.

If you are looking for the easy way out and learn quickly, then become a subscriber. The money you spend will save you lots of frustration and time. I know it did for me.

Good luck and let us know if you need help on any projects.

[Wendy]

Hi ...

I must admit that I have never really had any great sucess with the extractor :(

I tend to use this way instead :

Select the lasso tool (just the orginary one)
Set it to "Add to" (those little boxes up at the top of the screen ..hover your cursor above then and you will see the one I mean)
Zoom in very close using the zoom tool (it looks like a little magnifying glass)
and start your selection.
Just go round the edge a little at a time and then do a sort of circle inside the person to join up to the beginning of the selection.
Now you can pause for a moment before continuing ..
To continue just start again and you will see that you are adding to the selection.


When you have gone all the way round stop and check your selection. Make sure that all of the person is selected.
If you have parts that need a little more adding in the use "Add to Selection" ... but if you need to remove a little then change over to "Subtract from Selection". Do this until you are happy with it.

Now do Edit>Copy then Edit>Paste
and you will have the person on their own layer
You can then add a new background behind them.

Hope this helps :)

Wendy

[Russinator]

Most of the time when I try to help someone with a question, my reply is not what they were asking. But, I'm stubborn and I'll try again.

The link below tells how to do what, I think, you are asking about. If not, then I'm batting 1000. Russ

http://www.thedigitalsite.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=672

[Sissy]

Most of the time when I try to help someone with a question, my reply is not what they were asking. But, I'm stubborn and I'll try again.

The link below tells how to do what, I think, you are asking about. If not, then I'm batting 1000. Russ

http://www.thedigitalsite.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=672

I don't know if this is what the original poster was asking, but I sure learned a lot from following this link to the tutorial on replacing the sky. Thanks for the link. :)

[graficalicus]

I'm kinda with Wendy on this one, though - try her technique first.

The "magic" tools generally leave a lot to be desired -
the Red-Eye tool, the Extractor, the background eraser.... http://www.graficalicus.com/modules/PNphpBB2/images/smiles/brutal_36.gif is how I feel about them most of the time :cool: -

Doing it by hand is faster once you get the hang of it, and you'll wind up with much better results more often than not.

[Wendy]

Hi Graffi ...

Yes those are the three that I don't like, its only very occasionally that they seem to give a good result ...

.... and you spend so long trying to get them to work OK that you may as well just do it by hand ..

Wendy :)

[Inspeqtor]

Hi

just email them and tell them you did not receive a link to the training site.


What is the email address for Adobe? I have PSE5, I emailed in my registration and I clicked the appropriate box for the training, but I also did not receive anything back on the 10 free videos. Thanks :)