Tutorial: AKVIS SmartMask

Separate A Person From A Photo

This example has been created in Adobe Photoshop, but you can use any other photo editor compatible with AKVIS SmartMask.

Here is a flash film to this tutorial: Click here! (flash video, 6.0 Mb)

We've tried to use as many tools as possible to get you aquainted with the program. In many cases the first 6 steps are enough.

The original image
Different background images. Click to open in a larger window.

• Step 1. Open an image in your photo editor.
  
• Step 2. Copy the image to a new layer (Duplicate Layer).
  
• Step 3. Call AKVIS SmartMask plugin. For this purpose select the command Filters -> AKVIS -> SmartMask.
  

  By default the plugin uses the Sharp mode.

• Step 4. Use the blue pencil to draw an outline within the girl's figure.
  

  Use the red pencil to outline the background.

  
• Step 5. Press the button to start processing the image.
  
  The image will be processed with the default settings. The program will take into consideration the drawn outlines and generate three zone types: the red area will be deleted (the points in this area have Transparency = 100%), the areas that will be kept are marked blue - (the points in this area have Transparency = 0%). Red and blue areas will have a green transition border. The points in the green border have different Transparency values (between 0 and 100%), which account for the smooth edges of the selected (cutout) object.
  
• Step 6. Let's see the result on a transparent background. Turn off the drawn strokes.
  
• Step 7. The clothes have been cut out very well, but in general the result does not fully satisfies us. We continue our work.
• Step 8. Press the button Show overlay.
  

  Switch to the Soft mode.

  
• Step 9. Choose the green pencil and increase the value of the Brush Size parameter. The green zones are a "transition border" between the kept and cutout areas. The points in these zones have different transparency values (between 0 and 100%).
  
• Step 10. Paint over the complex areas (the hair) with the green pencil.
  
• Step 11. Click on to start processing the image in Soft mode.
  

  The result is much better indeed. Now we have to remove the stains on the background.

• Step 12. Switch to the Complex mode.
  
• Step 13. Use the Zoom tool to scale up the image and work with the problem areas.
  
• Step 14. Switch to the mode that shows the image in its original state (Show Original Image).
  
• Step 15. Use the eyedropper tools to pick up the colors for the Keep colors and Drop colors lists. Choose the color of the hair for the Keep colors list and the color of the wall behind the girl for the Drop colors list.
  
• Step 16. Activate the Magic Brush tool in the Toolbar.
  

  The Calculate check-box is enabled.
  When this check-box is enabled, the Magic Brush removes the points having the same colors as those listed in the Drop Colors field and colors close to them, and restores the points having the same colors as those listed in the Keep Colors field and colors close to them.

  

  Draw over the hair using the Magic Brush tool.

  

  Here is the result:

  
• Step 17. We can improve the result further.

  Increase the value of the Sensitivity parameter of the brush

  

  and draw over the hair.

  
• Step 18. Now enable the Foreground Recovery check-box and choose the umber color.
  

  Use the Magic brush again.

  At last the hair looks natural!

  
• Step 19. Press the button to apply the result.

  Now you can add any background and enjoy the result.