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How to extract the background using the Pen Tool
The Pen tool is an effective method of creating precise yet selectable paths. To keep things simple, you can make selectable path by tracing the outline of the shape you want to keep.
1. Open an image and then duplicate it by dragging the locked background layer to the Duplicate icon (the post-it note symbol on the lower right of the panel).
2. Once you’ve duplicated the layer, make sure that you have created a blank layer in between the two. This blank layer will act as the empty background once the extraction is complete (see below). Also, make sure that the bottom layer (labeled Background with a padlock symbol) is not visible (the eye icon is not visible).
3. You’re set to use the Pen tool. Remember, with this tool, you must trace the outline of the shape you want to keep. Also, please bear in mind that you MUST CLOSE THE PATHS. THIS MEANS THAT THE FIRST POINT YOU MADE IS THE LAST POINT YOU CLICK. You can adjust your paths by holding down CMD + Pen Tool for a white arrow selector, or Option + Pen Tool for a Convert Anchor point selector. Once you close your path, you can right-click the selection by Control-clicking with the Pen tool inside the selection. In the Make Selection panel, make sure that you have New Selection selected. Keep the Feather Radius at 0 pixels and then click OK to convert the path to a selection. You should see the following images below:
4. Once the selection is active, make sure you go to the top menu by clicking Select > Inverse. This will select the background (outside rather than inside the selection). Press delete on your keyboard and please make sure that you’re on the right layer! That’s it!
For more tips on the Pen tool, please visit this awesome link.
We also have a step-by-step PDF of this technique (you can download this on your phone for example). Click here.
Please download the following leaf images for our next exercise. Leaf 1 & Leaf 2