Just use the pen tool and trace the image you want to extract. Right click and make a selection then use the move tool to move the extraction wherever you want. I hope that helps. By the way, what program are you using? I am using adobe cs2. I think Adobe cs and above have the pen tool.
Aug 30, 2008

i extract in different ways. pen tool is my favorite. sometimes i just use the eraser. cs3 has an extraction tool but i still think that pen tool is better. also in cs3 is a quick mask which i even prefer over the extraction - it's at the bottom of the tools.

when using the quick mask, make sure your brush has 100% opacity and is in black then paint over the image you want to keep. then click on control-J and a new layer will be created with just the part of the image you painted over. it's similar to the extraction tool but i don't know why i'm not happy with that extraction tool - the extraction seems to have so hard edges no matter what i do.
Jan 28, 2009

extraction tips:
1) have a temporary background layer of contrasting color to your image under your image layer so you can immediately see the result;
2) zoom in as close as possible - i used to be lazy about zooming in but it makes a big difference;
3) when making a selection, try feathering by 2 to 10 pixels depending on the size of the image so the edges would not be hard/harsh. if you don't like the result go back to making a selection and try a different feather size, to go back just click control-alt-z.

Jan 28, 2009

(con't.)
4) whatever extraction tool you use, there is often a need to stroke with an eraser around the edges of the image to remove unwanted parts. use a soft brush and adjust brush size. use the brackets in your keyboard to adjust size.
5) finally, when you think you've done a nice, clean extraction, put a temporary stroke on the image and you'll be surprised to see how much you still need to clean up. erase all unwanted parts. use hard brush on parts not touching the image and softer brush around the image. on the bottom of the layers pallette, click on effects icon (the one with F).
Jan 28, 2009

In CS2, if the image you want to extract has a definite outline, the magnetic selection tool is very handy. I use this a lot in conjunction with the magic wand. There are also buttons at the top which let you add or subtract pixels to the existing selection. You can also switch tools whilst making the selection, which is very handy as just one tool does not always cope.
Hope I have made sense. Lesley x
Feb 3, 2009

any suggestions for learning extractions in photoshop elements 5. I don't have a steady hand so using the lasso tool is out as one mistake by double clicking, you have to start over The 2 methods I have played around is the magic extractor and I downloaded a layer mask action and use the soft brush in black/white to do it. I haven't been really satisfied with how any of them have come out. / I like the layer mask method best as it is so easy to correct mistakes. extraction tutorials always seem to use a very basic 1 contrasting color background, not a real world one that has lots of colors in it and similar color to the object you want to extract.
Feb 17, 2009

If your programme has a quick mask mode, this is very useful too. You can toggle in and out of this mode, and correct easily too (it's similar to using a layer mask). I don't know if you know but you can use a variety of methods on one extraction, you don't just have to use one method. Hope this helps, Lesley X
Jun 9, 2009