Photoshop request

Goldy · 13 Nov 2009 at 16:41

Hi,

I have this boring picture of a cable I took at home using a simple digi cam and some white trays for background. Basically I want to overlay the cable onto a plain white background for use on a website.

I downloaded the trial version of photoshop CS4 but im hardly proficient in how to use it.

Any attempts are kindly appreciated!

Irish_Tom · 13 Nov 2009 at 16:54

How's this?

I can resize it to any dimensions you want.

Panzer

BFCTom · 13 Nov 2009 at 16:58

Had a quick go for you mate, here it is in the max size: http://img253.imageshack.us/img253/9672/cutout.jpg

Damn you Panzer!

Irish_Tom · 13 Nov 2009 at 16:59

Hehe, Sorry Tom!

Panzer

Goldy · 13 Nov 2009 at 17:11

Thats perfect, thanks!

Could I possible get the photoshop file as well? I've got a dozen other cables to do and need to figure this out myself eventually. Did you use the magic wand tool?

Thanks again.

BFCTom · 13 Nov 2009 at 17:13

Magic wand gives you a too jagged edge, it's best to trace the shape with the pen tool.

I can send you the PSD file I used but Panzer's looks cleaner imo

Irish_Tom · 13 Nov 2009 at 17:21

Here's the link to the PSD

This is what I did:

Step 1: Levels - I manually altered the levels but you could probably get away with using auto levels / auto colour etc.

Step 2: Mask - I used the magic wand tool to select as much of the background as possible. I then entered Quick-Mask mode to refine the mask with a brush and used the 'Refine Edge' button to clean it all up.

Step 3: Adjustment Layer 'Solid Colour' - After coming out of Quick Mask, I applied a Solid Colour Adjustment Layer to make the background white. I'd recommend using an adjustment layer so that the changes aren't permanent (you could also do this with the levels in step 1 but I rushed it a bit.

Masks and adjustment layers aren't exactly 'basics' for a photoshop n00b so if you want any more help I can talk you through it in a bit more detail. I'm on my way out now though.

Panzer

Goldy · 15 Nov 2009 at 15:04

Hi Panzer,

Thanks for taking time out to help me with this. Ive been playing around with the quick mask and refine mask edge tools. When ive got it about right I then create a new background layer that I make white. Then im done. Bit of crude way of doing it but it works for me.

Thx.

Pho · 15 Nov 2009 at 17:16

You might also benefit from sticking a desk lamp or something above the cable to make it appear more white to start with (it's fairly dull at the moment).