Tutoriel: AKVIS SmartMask

Cut out a human body from a photo

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

An 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 his 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 accounts 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.
  
• Step 10. Paint over the difficult areas (the hair) with the green pencil.
  
• Step 11. Press the button to start the image processing in the 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.
  
• Step 15. Choose a color in the Keep colors and Drop colors lists using the corresponding tools.
  
• Step 16. Choose the Magic Brush tool in the Toolbar.
  

  The Calculate check-box is enabled.

  

  Using the Magic Brush tool draw over girl's hair.

  

  Here is the result:

  
• Step 17. Let's 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 look naturally enough!

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

  Now you can add any background and your new photo is ready.