Image extraction

[Wes]

I must be missing something here. It seems to take forever to extract an image from it's background in CS2. I use the Extract filter and it seems painfully slow to trace around your subject in order to do the extraction. Anyone have a quicker way?

[JohnT]

The only thing that comes to mind immediately is the Magnetic Lasso. I think I tried it once but ended up using the Extraction Filter, which wasn't flawless itself. Probably my lack skill.

[Jay Henley]

I could not find the thread but a couple of months back, someone on here posted this link http://www.russellbrown.com/tips_tech.html. scroll to bottom to Advanced Masking. I have used it a couple of times with success.

[nyphotopro]

Originally Posted by Wes

I must be missing something here. It seems to take forever to extract an image from it's background in CS2. I use the Extract filter and it seems painfully slow to trace around your subject in order to do the extraction. Anyone have a quicker way?

Buy Mask Pro 4 from onOne Software. It'll be the best $159 you ever spent (even cheaper if you can buy from Academic Superstore or Gradware.

Here's the link to the product description: http://www.ononesoftware.com/detail.php?prodLine_id=4

[HutchPhoto]

What Matt said
you can download a 30 day trial version.

[edpouso]

The best way in photoshop without buying a third pary filter is using the pen/path tool.
With a little practice you can masterit. The best feature is the complex curves you can create.