Photoshop help

[Jayems]

Hey guys, maybe someone here can help me out.

I have some great pictures, but every time i try to crop it, I cant get it perfect like everyone on here (IE. some people have cut outs of players and they got it cut out down to hairs!) How do you cut the picture out like that?
I tried that magic wand thing, that didn't work at all, and then tried the lasso thinggy and that couldnt get it close.

Basically, is there any good tutorials on sig making or anything you guys could fill me in on? Thanks.

Jayems.

[red '00]

Back when I actually used to try with this kind of stuff, I just zoomed in close, then did an average cutting job (not trying my best to be perfect). After that I simply went around the image I cut out with that um brush that makes things transparent (haven't worked with anything like this in months, except for paint...). That got rid of anything I missed or screwed up on, leaving me with a generally well-cut image.

[HelloHockeyFans]

Maybe some guys here now of some good online Photoshop tutorials? I'd be interested in taking a look at these as well...

[Jayems]

Originally Posted by HelloHockeyFans

Maybe some guys here now of some good online Photoshop tutorials? I'd be interested in taking a look at these as well...

Like your sig, how'd you get the guys cut out so well?

[Patek23]

Originally Posted by Jayems

Like your sig, how'd you get the guys cut out so well?

because Photoshop Guru AnthonyCook/CrazyJoe did it

[HelloHockeyFans]

Originally Posted by Jayems

Like your sig, how'd you get the guys cut out so well?

LOL I got somebody to do it for me! I could never have done that on my own...

[Jayems]

Originally Posted by Flaming Homer

because Photoshop Guru AnthonyCook/CrazyJoe did it

Your the one whos hair i made reference to

[Flames_Gimp]

its easy you use the Polygonal lasso tool and take your time and draw around the edges, then you cut. sometimes you have to go in and draw some parts in pixel by pixel if you screw the cut up a bit.(if you are a perfectionist)

there might be a quicker way, but thats how i do it.

[Jayems]

Originally Posted by Flames_Gimp

its easy you use the Polygonal lasso tool and take your time and draw around the edges, then you cut. sometimes you have to go in and draw some parts in pixel by pixel if you screw the cut up a bit.(if you are a perfectionist)

there might be a quicker way, but thats how i do it.

And that background? I know its layers and all, but could you shed a quick light on how you got that fire and the city etc?

[RougeUnderoos]

Zoom in real close and use the eraser. Shrink the eraser "brush size" to fairly small to do the detail right around the thing you are trying to cut out.

You can get full on tutorials with cds and everything at your local library if you want to get really technical. You might even be able to find one online.

[Flames_Gimp]

best i could do with tiny pics of huselius.. find me big ones and ican do better... i didnt bother doing anything to the background for now.

[Jayems]

Originally Posted by Flames_Gimp

best i could do with tiny pics of huselius.. find me big ones and ican do better... i didnt bother doing anything to the background for now.

now how in the hell did you manage that?

[Reaper]

Originally Posted by Flames_Gimp

best i could do with tiny pics of huselius..

He's still wearing a blue helmet. I'm disappointed in you, FG.

[Flames_Gimp]

Originally Posted by Reaper

He's still wearing a blue helmet. I'm disappointed in you, FG.

yup was just a quick job... did it in 10mins, didn't do the color match.

[Flames_Gimp]

hows that?

Reaper: black helmet :P

[Flames_Gimp]

Originally Posted by Jayems

now how in the hell did you manage that?

i took a pic of a flames player and a pic of huselius, cutting and pasting and there ya go!

the trick in photoshop is using multiple layers, and lots of cutting and pasting. I learned evertything on my own with lots of messing around.

[Cheese]

Jay Arriachs Photoshop tips

[Hack&Lube]

This is what used to be called rotoscoping in film.

Basically, like Flames Gimp said, you have to use the polygonal lasso tool and trace the entire outline of whatever you want to cut. The magic lasso and magic wand won't work because it's just the computer calculating color differences between pixels.

If you're experienced, you can do it lightning fast and it's way better than trying to erase around whatever you're trying to get.

BUT, you don't have to fix it pixel by pixel if you screw up. The polygonal lasso tool can add or subtract from the mask.

[Jayems]

Originally Posted by Flames_Gimp

hows that?

Reaper: black helmet :P

Can I please steal this?

[Flame On]

Also in the layers before you start cutting from the pic you want, make a duplicate layer of the orginal, then click the eyball so you don't see it.
That way you have a point to go back to.