From the Editor menu Image > Magic Extractor we have yet another tool to help with making complex extractions. This tool has it's own special workspace and tools. First, you use the foreground brush to designate areas of the photo you want to keep. Next, you use the background brush to designate areas you want to erase. These brush selection do not have to be precise — generally you just need to click to make dots, or you can do a rough scribble. Press Preview and prepare to wait, while Elements works out the extraction. You can continue to refine your selection with additional tools such as the selection eraser, point eraser, smoothing brush, and the feather, fill holes, and defringe options. When you're happy with the results, click OK and you'll be returned to Elements with a completed extraction.
This tool won't perform miracles every time. It works best if the object you're selecting has defined edges, but it can certainly save a lot of time. I suggest duplicating your photo or layer before using the Magic Extractor, because once you press OK, the background is completely erased.
Unfortunately, it's awfully slow. Several times it stalled with the progress bar all the way to the right and I had to cancel and try again. Personally, I find the Background Eraser and Magic Eraser tools much faster and more effective at creating extractions, but the magic Extractor puts one more tool in our arsenal.
Photoshop Elements Review
