how to extract difficult images????

[jere77822]

I have tried a tutorial on here named the same as the subject title. I tired for hours to do the same thing he or she did. I was unable and i am getting quite upset with the whole process. I own both photo shop cs and paint shop pro 9. I want to extract difficult images with ease. Or with fair ease. But is there any way to do it and get great results. I have tried extract filter and other ideas but they dont work on the pictures i try to extract.

any ideas???

ill post a pic like similar to what i am working with.

[Scott]

Are you trying to extract the text from that image?

Each image is unique and therefore may require any one of several techniques. For the image you posted, I would use the pen tool, trace around the text, then convert the resulting path to a selection and make a mask. I don't have PSP so I'm referring to Photoshop.

[Dave]

Basically there is no easy way to get a great result. great results require heaps of skill, lots of time, much more frustration, blood, sweat and tears.

Your image is so blurry around the text the biggest problem is deciding where to stop and then how to be consistent about it for the entire "path" you select.

[aglaysh]

I have had some success (first, duplicate the original layer) adjusting contrast, sharpness, and using the burn and dodge tool around the edges to really seperate what I want from the background. Then convert my mask to a selection switch back to the orignal layer and extract it.

If you have fuzzy edges I would contract the selection by 1 or 2 pixels and then feather by 1 or 2 pixels.

As stated earlier, its not the easiest thing to do and very time consuming. But, if there is no other way it can be done.

Good Luck.