Detachment is the process of cutting out an object from its background. This is an important skill to learn for anyone looking to start any career with an image editing program like GIMP. While most people use Photoshop, GIMP is a great open source alternative for those who can't afford or don't like Photoshop. This article will teach you how to use GIMP to separate an image.
Steps
Step 1. Open your image
No required format, but.xcf (GIMP file) is recommended. However, you can use.jpg,.gif,.png, or any editable image file. For example, we used this image. Step 2. Select the Path tool from the menu.
This is the tool that will be used in this tutorial.
Step 3. Start placing anchors around the image
Each anchor is represented as a circle, and the two anchors are connected by a straight line. This line is the clipping line, so make sure it is close to or touching the outline of the object. Once you've reached the point where you started, move on to the next step. Step 4. Connect the first and last anchors by holding down the CTRL key and clicking on the first anchor ' … This will allow you to connect them properly. If you don't hold down the CTRL key, the first anchor will move instead.
Step 5. Create Selection from the path
All that is required is to click on the button labeled "Create Selection from Path" under the Path tool.
Step 6. Open the Layer dialog and create an alpha channel
To do this, right click on the active active layer and at the bottom is a button called "Create Alpha Channel".
Step 7. Fix the new alpha channel
This can be done by looking under Opacity and checking the box next to a checkerboard-like icon.
Step 8. Flip and cut your object
It is important to do it in this order. Press CTRL + I to flip and then CTRL + X to cut. Your object should now be in front of the checkerboard, indicating that it is transparent. Step 9. Delete all the rest of the background.
If the trajectory was not 100% perfect, then small pieces of the background "stick" to the outside of the object or small turf where parts of the object were cut out. While there is not much you can do to fill in the areas that have been cut out, the remaining background can be erased. Take a 1 pixel eraser and remove any residue.
Step 10. Save the file
- If you have a layered image, whether or not you want to preserve transparency, it must be saved as an.xcf image.
- If you want it to remain transparent, you must save it as a.xcf,.gif or-p.webp" />
- If you want to upload it to the Internet, it is recommended to keep 2 copies. From the File menu, choose the "Save a Copy …" command, and save it as an.xcf file. This file you just saved will remain transparent and allow you to make changes without extracting again, keeping the current image intact, which you can continue to edit or save as your preferred format.
Advice
- If you want, you can “sand down” the edges to create a blur effect.
- If your intention is to remove the object itself from the picture and not the background, skip the Invert step and use the Cut command first.
- The image you have already extracted can be placed on a new background, be part of an animation, or just stay the way it is. Be creative!
- The border between two anchors can be curved by dragging the anchor in Design mode or by dragging the line in Edit mode. Doing this will result in 2 squares called Handles. Just rotate them to bend (round) the line. Use this to create a smoother cut.