Any tips for fast deep etch/etraction of images?

[mistercitizen]

I have to deep-etch/extract objects from 300 images,then place a drop shadow on each of those extracted images against a white background.

Is their a fast way of doing this, or is it still a matter of using the pen tool to make a precise selection around the object?

Any tips on how to speed up (or automate?) any part of this process would be greatly appreciated.

Also, some of the images are quite simple in their shape (ie. flat t-shirt against a plain background). Is there a special photoshop technique which can be applied for extracting these simple images?

 

[Dweezel]

Oh my God! I'm sure I had a nightmare once about my boss asking me to extract 300 images from their backgrounds. Extracting has to be the most mundane and irritating thing you can do in photoshop. I don't envy you .

When you're extracting things that consist of blocks of contiguous colour, then use the magic wand. You can adjust its selection sensitivity in the toolbar. For the pictures that have a plain background, magic wand select the background and delete it.

There are almost too many extraction methods to mention in photoshop. There's the extract filter (Filter>Extract), quick mask tool , lasso tool , colour range, pen tool....
The one I use the most is the polygonal lasso, but most of the time it just comes down to personal preference.

As for automating the tasks, you can set up an action to record the creation of the white layer and the application of the drop shadow. All you'll need to do once youve marked out your selection in the other 300 images is press the play button on the action you've recorded.
If you're not sure about actions, type 'Creating a new action' into the search of photoshop help. It explains how to set it up.

Hope that helps.

Not sure what you mean my 'deep-etch'?
What are these going to be used for?

 

[mistercitizen]

I think deep-etch is just a regional term used by some people here in Australia.

The process you describe is what I'm going to do.

Thanks for your reply - and thank god for actions!

 

[mistercitizen]

As for using Actions, I've only had limited experience.

Using actions, how do I ensure that the drop shadow is applied to the layer I want it to be applied to, rather than the layer of white? ie: Does photoshop record which layer the drop shadow is applied to when recoording the actions?

Furthermore, is it possible to apply this action to a batch?

ie: once I go through the 300 images making the necessary selections and then saving each file, can I then apply the actions (create white layer, apply drop shadow, flatten, save, close) to the 300 images as a batch?

or

is it necessary to apply the action to each individual file as I work through the 300 images? ie: Make selection, then apply action (as specified above) to each individual file.

 

[Dweezel]

It probably is possible to batch process in that way, but thankfully I've never had so much extracting to do that I've needed to learn how. Sorry I can't help there.

If you've got the image open to do the extraction you may as well just hit the action button there and then. It only takes a split second to run through the action.

As for making sure photoshop gets it right I think you need to follow this procedure:
Before you begin, go to layer styles and work out the exact settings you want for your drop shadow.

1.Make your selection.
2.Press CTRL + J to copy it to a new layer.
3.CTRL click on that extracted layers icon in the layer panel to select the extraction.
4.Click the 'new action button' on the actions panel to start recording.
5.Apply your drop shadow to the selected layer.
6.Press CTRL + D to deselect.
7.Click on the new layer icon at the bottom of the layers panel.
8.Press SHIFT + F5 to bring up the fill options, and fill the new layer with white.
9.Then drag the new layer underneath your extracted layer, to give you your white background.
10.Then click stop on the actions pallete.

After that all you should need to do is make your selection, select the action you recorded and press play.

P.S. Don't forget to feather your selection if it needs it. Easily done.

 

[Dweezel]

That last bit was a little unclear.

EDIT -- After that all you need to do is extract your selection to a new layer(CTRL+J), select it (CTRL click the layers icon) then press play on the action --/EDIT