Create Background From... Anything?

[JAT]

Hi. I would like very much to do the following and I hope that you can help me.

1. Create a background using the oriental rug.
2. Saving that background for use later.
3. Extracting my dog from this photo (I think I've got that figured out - lol).
4. Placing my dog on the saved background.

I've searched the web looking for ways to create a background from one's own images (I thought I found help somewhere but unfortunately I can no longer locate that tut).

Your assistance would be greatly appreciated.

P.S. I'm considering blurring the background - to some degree.

Thanks again!

[Sepiana]

Hi Tanya,

See the thread below for instructions how to create and save a pattern. The instructions will work in PSE10.

Creating a pattern in PSE7

If you are a subscriber, you can check this video.

Creating Patterns

[havov]

Thinking along with Sepiana I would say: Yes you can make a pattern out of the rug, but I see one problem and that is the perspective. My additional advice would be to use under FIlter the cameradistortion correction. Set the Vertical perspective to minus 100 and repeat it to your liking. This will correct the angle in which you see the rug somewhat. It is not perfect but it helps.
Hans

[JAT]

Thank you both! Looks like I've got a bit of "work" to do!

[havov]

Your welcome, Wish you succes with the project.
Hans

[cats4jan]

On a general note - you can save anything as a png or jpg and use it as a background. In your case, with only limited area you can save, the suggestion of making a pattern out of it is good, but if there are enough pixels, I would just make a selection of the best part of any photo and save that.

If there are enough pixels to allow enlargement with something as simple as the move tool, your selection can be enlarged to fill in as a background.

However, the perspective problem? You will need to deal with that as already suggested or maybe try using it without fixing it. Maybe you will like the results.

For working with perspective, I find something as simple as using Control T (transform) then holding down control while pulling at the corners will sometimes fix perspective. With a pattern, however, that will be tricky as the pattern will get skewed. But, if you are already considering blurring the pattern, maybe you can play and find something totally different than what you have in mind.

Another suggestion

If you like the colors of the rug and that's why you want to make it your background, how about starting from scratch. Choose your favorite color from the rug and fill a layer with that color - then choose another color or two from the rug and using your brushes - brush different stuff on your fill layer. You could make an entirely new background to suit your purposes.