What is the best software tool to remove the background from an image?
What is the best software tool to remove the background from an image? It would need to be both affordable and easy-to-use. I have used Fiverr.com and it is afforable, but I'm impatient and usually want the results right away. You know the old proverb: patience is a virtue, catch it if you can; seldom in a woman, never in a man. :-)
Expert Answers
Sort by Date
Sort by Votes
Sep 8, 2015
Hey Dr John,
In my experience its Clipping Magic!
https://clippingmagic.com/
I have always found this tool incredibly handy, so much that we integrated it in our own graphic software Youzign (http://youzign.com).
Here is a demo of it in action:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ks7N495D-I
My 2 cents,
Bertrand : )
Sep 24, 2014
Photoshop.. A background can be removed from any layered file instantaneously!
Sep 29, 2014
You're very welcome! ... and I will forgive you for mis-spelling my name. ;-)
Sep 24, 2014
I use photoshop. With that there are tools included like the magic want or the selecting tools. There is a site online that you can also use that is free. https://pixlr.com/
Sep 4, 2014
You can do this in Adob Photoshop. Here on this site http://www.loonapix.com/ person in the photo is automatically cut and substituted for the funny background. I made homemade cards and gives friends.
Jun 26, 2014
Hi There, There are a few automatics tools that you can use such Photoshop and Perfect Mask from on1software, In my opinion I feel more confortable using Photoshop, and if you di that manually you can have very good results, There are a lot of videos that you can check in UT, just search extract background in Photoshop, and if you already use Photoshop, check the process with channels... search extract background in Photoshop with channels
And for me Photoshop it's very affordable just $20 per month subscription (how much money you spend on Starbucks?), I leave in NY :) if you know what I mean
Best
Eugenio
Jun 9, 2014
Photoshop CS6 has greatly improved the ability to mathematically separate the foreground from the background. Its not a perfect process and does take practice and experience. Check out the youtube videos on this process, because no two images are alike and sometimes it takes more than one attempt.
May 29, 2014
PhotoStudio by ArcSoft is a very affordable photo editing tool that's great for beginners. There is even a free version you can download.
May 21, 2014
Adobe Photoshop, just what all my colleagues already wrote.
But, check this website (Spoon Graphic): http://bit.ly/1kroTzy
A clear step by step solution how to remove a background.
Good luck!
May 20, 2014
Photoshop is the best tool for this, if you don't already have it just download the trial version from the Adobe website and use that.
May 19, 2014
Adobe Photoshop. Depending on the detail of the background, you can easily select the background color using the magic wand, then use the refine edge tool to quickly cut out the subject... EVEN HAIR! IE: if you shoot photos on green screen, it's easy to cut out the green quickly and effectively using the method and put the person onto any background you want.
Feb 7, 2014
Thanks Muhammad. As a Unix fan and a WordPress user, I like open source.
Jan 28, 2014
Any photo editing software that allows you to work in layers is what is required. We use Adobe Photoshop but, as you already know, that requires some in-depth background to use. Give PS another try. The time invested is never wasted, especially if you will be doing a lot of this stuff. I once met an accountant who was a Photoshop whizz only because he was keen on manipulating photos as a hobby. In other words, anyone can master PS if they want to.
Jan 28, 2014
Christopher, I will be giving Photoshop another try. Interestingly, you put your finger on what I found to be the most difficult feature in Photoshop. For what I typically was doing the whole concept of "layers" was a hindrance to productivity. Nothing seemed to work the way I thought it should. I was the proverbial bull in a china shop. :-)
Jan 28, 2014
If budget is a concern, try "Inpaint" before you pay for Photoshop. PS is excellent, but has a very steep learning curve, and far tooooo many features for the casual user.
Jan 28, 2014
I'll take a look. Curiosity killed the cat; Satisfaction brought it back. Thank you.
Jan 27, 2014
Hi John!
Many good answers here. In reading your comments, several things. Photoshop is probably the best tool, but only if you learn how to use it optimally.
You don't mention how complicated/busy the background is or what you are trying to extract? It's not really patience, but knowledge to use the tool. I can use Photoshop very quickly for even complicated manipulation because I learned the tools front to back.
And here's a great tip...http://www.clippingbees.com/ is my go to resource for complicated knockouts or under time constraints.
Try a free sample, you won't use anyone else. I tried 3 services and I had a complicated machine image outlined in under 24 hours. Great service, quality, and pricing.
PM me if you want to see my sample.
Good luck!
Mike
Jan 27, 2014
Clippingbees looks real good to me. I will give them a try. I like the idea of a 24 hour turnaround. It provides some predictability. The Fiverr folks have done a good job, but it can take several days. The images have varied in their complexity. The easiest being a simple cartoon I wanted to use on a crafting website and the most difficult a photo of my wife.
Jan 28, 2014
Clippingbees did a beautiful job removing the background from a photo of my wife Pam. Thanks!
Jan 26, 2014
Photoshop Elements (< $100), using the magnetic lasso tool.
There are also many freeware apps available, I'm sure. Hope this helps.
Jan 26, 2014
The magnetic lasso tool sounds good. I'll check it out. Elements sounds like an easier to use version of Photoshop. It might be just what I need.
Jan 26, 2014
Adobe Photoshop. You can use the extract filter to remove complex bg's or the magic eraser for solid color bg's. You can also highlight/select the foreground image with the lasso tool and cut to a new layer then delete the bg layer..
Jan 26, 2014
I have access to Photoshop. It looks like I need to give it another try.
I like it. Background removal doesn't get any easier than this.