Outline face/body -- then change rest of picture to black background

[skydivetom]

I'm just learning my way around in Adobe Illustrator 10.0.

Okay, I have a picture that I need to modify. It basically is a portrait shot... unfortunately, this picture was taken in a restaurant, so there are "disturbing things" in the background.

My question: How can I outline the face and part of the upper body contures and then change the rest of the picture to e.g. a black background? Please provide the actual steps (menu choices) and features that would allow me to manipulate the picture.

Thank you,
Tom

 

[apepp]

...try the pen tool and outline your object, make the pen path on a layer above the image, lock the image layer underneath via the layers palette. Double click the image layer and select the option to dim the layer...

...back to the layer above and with the pen tool outline the object you wish to keep. When happy with the pen path, unlock the image underneath, turn dim layer off and then select both the created path and the image using the shift key and selecting the circle on the right of each layer. Go to object > clipping mask > make...

...create another layer at the bottom and make a black square for the cutout image to sit on...

...creating new layers if found at the bottom of the layers palette, button second from right hand side...

Andrew

 

[skydivetom]

Andrew,

thank you for the help... I still haven't been able to fully modify the image.

Let me recap your step and my "disconnects":

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"...try the pen tool and outline your object, make the pen path on a layer above the image, lock the image layer underneath via the layers palette. Double click the image layer and select the option to dim the layer..."

- Underneath "layers" (next to the eye icon), I've clicked "Lock"
- then I double-click on Layer1
- then, did you mean to select "Dim images to: 50%"?

Status of Modification Process:
- at this time, the face is outlined
- the background is kinda transparent
- layer is locked

************

"...back to the layer above and with the pen tool outline the object you wish to keep."

- since the object is locked, the Pen tool doesn't do anything. You indicated to unlock it in the next step... so I'm a bit lost here ("outline the object you wish to keep"???)

************

"...when happy with the pen path, unlock the image underneath, turn dim layer off"

... shouldn't I have done this (unlocking) previously???

************

"...and then select both the created path and the image using the shift key"

... not sure how to do this???

************

"...and selecting the circle on the right of each layer. Go to object > clipping mask > make..."

... haven't even come to this point yet...

************

I'd appreciate any additional guidance on the steps.

Thank you.

Tom

 

[skydivetom]

PERFECT!!! I played w/ this a bit more... it works great now.

Thank you for the directions.

Tom

 

[apepp]

...make the pen path on a layer above the image, you should have two layers, a layer with with the path created by the pen tool and a layer below it with an image...

...the image layer doesn't have to be locked or dimmed but it makes it easier in case you accidentally move it or put object on it you don't want on that layer. Dimming the layer makes it easier to see the path above it...

...when you have created the path layer, unlock the image layer underneath and turn the dim option off...

...to select both the image and the pen path shift click the little circle found on the right side of each layer, you can also select both objects by using the black arrow and dragging over or do a select > all from the main menu (command or control 'A' is the shortcut)...

...then make the clipping mask and a box behind your newly cut out image...

Andrew

 

[skydivetom]

Got it... thanks so much for the help.

Tom