How Do I Cut Out an Object in Photoshop?

Are you looking to cut out an object in Photoshop? Whether you want to remove a distracting background or extract a subject for a creative project, Photoshop offers powerful tools to help you achieve this. In this tutorial, we will explore the step-by-step process of cutting out an object in Photoshop.

Step 1: Open Your Image

To begin, open your image in Photoshop by going to File → Open. Navigate to the location where your image is stored and select it. Then click on the Open button.

Step 2: Select the Object

Next, we need to select the object that we want to cut out. There are several selection tools available in Photoshop, such as the Magic Wand Tool, Lasso Tool, and Polygonal Lasso Tool. Choose the tool that suits your needs best.

Magic Wand Tool:

The Magic Wand Tool allows you to select areas based on their color or tone. Click on the tool from the toolbar on the left side of your screen. Adjust the Tolerance value in the options bar at the top according to how precise you want your selection to be. Then simply click on the object you want to cut out.

Lasso Tool:

The Lasso Tool enables you to make freehand selections around an object. Select the Lasso Tool from the toolbar and draw around your object by clicking and dragging with your mouse or stylus.

Polygonal Lasso Tool:

If your object has straight edges or angles, consider using the Polygonal Lasso Tool. Click on the tool and create a series of straight line segments by clicking at different points around your object. To close the selection, click on the starting point or press Enter/Return.

Step 3: Refine Your Selection

After you have made your initial selection, it's time to refine it for better accuracy. Photoshop provides several tools to help you achieve this.

Quick Selection Tool:

The Quick Selection Tool is great for quickly adding or subtracting areas from your selection. Click on the tool from the toolbar and brush over areas to include them. To remove areas, hold down the Alt/Option key while brushing.

Select and Mask:

If your object has complex edges, consider using the Select and Mask option for more precise selections. With your initial selection active, go to Select → Select and Mask. In the Select and Mask workspace, use tools like the Refine Edge Brush, Smart Radius, and Decontaminate Colors to fine-tune your selection.

Step 4: Cut Out Your Object

Now that you have made a refined selection, it's time to cut out your object from its background.

To do this, simply press Ctrl/Cmd + J. This will create a new layer with just your selected object on it. The original background will be hidden on this new layer.

Step 5: Save Your Image

Congratulations! You have successfully cut out an object in Photoshop. Now it's time to save your work.

To save your image with a transparent background, go to File → Save As. Choose a file format that supports transparency, such as PNG or TIFF. Make sure to enable the Transparency option if it's available.

That's it! You now know how to cut out an object in Photoshop using various selection tools and techniques. With practice, you'll become proficient at isolating objects and creating stunning compositions.

Note: It's always a good idea to work on a duplicate of your original image, so you can preserve the original intact.