Knock
it Out!
Removing Backgrounds with Corel Photo-Paint
Back to Removing
the Background
Photo-Paint 9 has a couple of unique tools for removing backgrounds. I'll
walk you through two of these techniques that are similar to the examples
using Photoshop. For the examples I did not provide tutorials for, I've
explained why in the text below. Click on a thumbnail below for step-by-step
instructions on removing the background with Photo-Paint 9.
|
 Transparent
Color Selection Tool
This technique uses the transparent color selection tool and the eraser
tool in Photo-Paint 9. Total time to remove the background from this image
was under 3 minutes.
|
|
Channel Mask
This technique uses channels to create a clip mask. Total time to remove
the background from this image was under 2 minutes.
|
|
 Scissor
Tool 
In the Photoshop examples, I was able to isolate the leaf in this image
using the the magnetic lasso
tool. Photo-Paint 9 has a similar tool called the scissor tool. Unfortunately,
this tool... well, to say it works poorly would be an understatement.
It just plain doesn't work. Let's hope they improve this tool in the next
version. Meanwhile, the best method for isolating the leaf in this image
is the eraser tool or the transparency brush tool. Both tools work similarly
and are fairly straightforward, so I did not include a tutorial for this
particular image.
|
|
 Path
Tool 
The procedure for using the path tool in Photo-Paint is not all that different
than using Photoshop's pen
tool; therefore, I did not duplicate this particular tutorial for
Photo-Paint. Using the path tool involves working with bezier curves.
If you've never worked with bezier curves before, they can be a bit of
a challenge. I recommend you get started with the excellent pen
tool tutorial and tracing templates at Mike's Sketchpad. The path
tool is explained in detail in the Photo-Paint 9 User Guide, chapter
7, starting on page 305.
|
Remember,
if you have a favorite tool or technique that works for you, you're always welcome
to share
it in the forum. And, if you've had better success with the scissor tool
than I did, I'd love to hear about it!
Back to Removing
the Background
More Photo-Paint Tutorials
Join these and other
discussions in the forum:
