InstantMask [Remove background from pictures]

[6Foot2]

This looks pretty good.

 

1. Download the program. Run setup.

2. Run the program and open the picture you want to extract a forground picture from.

3. Use red and green markers to select foreground and background objects [foreground marker (green) marks in yellow]

4. Click preview [magnifying glass over paper on toobar]

5. Save clipped foreground image.

 

Will not work for all requirements but I have tested it on a couple of images and the results look OK. The clipped image needs a little tidying up but it would be quicker than tracing the outline by hand.

 

Link: InstantMask

 

[Free for personal non-commercial use]

Edited December 7, 2009 by 6Foot2
Add detail to the post.

[enjay]

Looks good but it isn't nearly as simple as their 3-step photo sequence suggests. I can't even get it to cleanly remove the background from a photo of two kids standing in front of a white wall!

[webman]

For the best results you can't beat doing it manually in Photoshop. It's not something that can be done well using an automated process.

[6Foot2]

For the best results you can't beat doing it manually in Photoshop. It's not something that can be done well using an automated process.

 

Don't have Photoshop here.

[enjay]

Don't have Photoshop here.

 

Then get Paint.Net, which is free and does most of what PhotoShop does, plus everything that InstantMask does (only better). Comes in MSI format too, which is handy.

[webman]

Don't have Photoshop here.

 

It's easy enough to do in The GIMP as well: Make a new Path. Use the Paths Tool and click/click+drag to make points. Ctrl+click to complete the path. Then convert to selection as desired.