Changing Backgrounds
Changing Backgrounds
Cutting persons or objects from one image and placing them in another is one of the most popular and useful things to do with an image editing app. And it is so much fun and easy to do with Pixelmator.
Step 1
Open an image with a person or object you want to place onto another background.
Step 2
In most cases, the person or object will probably be on a colorful background. To cut out an object (in our case, a person) from a colorful background, first make a selection of the object, using the Lasso or Polygonal Lasso Tool (choose the one that is most suitable for your object’s shape).
Step 3
Once the selection is made, customize it by choosing the “Subtract from” selection mode in the Tool Options bar (View > Show Tool Options) and use any of the selection tools to remove the visible parts of the background that may still appear in the previously created selection content (in our case, parts of the sky between the arms).
Step 4
In order to make the selection borders softer, choose Edit > Refine Selection and increase Feather and Smooth a little. Click OK.
Step 5
Open the image of the background on which you would like to place the selected object. To separate the selected object from the previous background and place it on the new background, do one of the following:
- Choose Edit > Copy. Then, choose Edit > Paste. Once the selection content is pasted, choose Edit > Deselect to get rid of the selection borders. The selection content (your object) will appear as a new layer in the Layers palette (View > Show Layers). Then, simply drag-and-drop the layer with the object from one image to another.
- Choose Edit > Copy. Next, open the image with the new background on which you want to place the object. Then, choose Edit > Paste.
- Hold down the Control key and click on the selection content to choose Layer via Copy. The selected object will appear as a new layer in the Layers palette (View > Show Layers). Then, simply drag-and-drop the layer with the object from one image to another. Layer via Copy is available in any contextual menu of the selection tools.
Step 6
Once you’ve placed an object on a new background, use the Move Tool (V) to position it anywhere in the composition. If necessary, choose Edit > Transform to change the size of a person. Once you’ve placed the object on its new background, use the Move Tool (V) to position it anywhere in the composition.
Step 7
In order to equalize colors for the whole composition, choose Image > Color Balance and experiment by dragging the sliders until the object’s color tone is similar to that of the background. Click OK when done.
Step 8
Even though the current step is optional, in our case, a falling shadow would definitely make the composition look more realistic. In order to create a shadow:
- First, duplicate (Layer > Duplicate) the layer with the object and choose Edit > Load Selection.
- Then, choose Edit > Fill. Select the “Preserve Transparency” checkbox in the Fill dialog. Now, set Color for the shadow (use the colors of shadows in the background image as a reference for the new shadow color). Click OK.
- Choose Edit > Flip Vertical to flip the shadow. Then, drag the shadow layer below the object’s layer in the Layers palette.
- Use the Transform tools (Edit > Transform) to position the shadow.
- To blur the shadow, choose Filter > Blur > Gaussian. Set Amount between 10 and 30, and click OK.
- To blend the shadow with the background image, change the shadow layer’s Blending to Multiply.
And your work is done! Now, once you’ve learned how to switch backgrounds, use your imagination to place people or objects in various different locations.
Awesome…but is there an asier way for an unsteady hand to be more spot on with the lasso tool? Isnt there something automatic to just select the object with the technology this day and age?
Cool and easy. For the example, it would have been awesome to copy the model feet also.
I have only been using this program for an hour and so far I see great potential. It may not do all that I might want but it to do but is so much more user friendly than Gimp. I have been using Gimp, which is free, but you need the patience of a saint to master even the basics.
David I believe it was intentional leaving the feet out to give that ethereal floating effect
Quit your whining or go use Gimp…a combination may be able to work wonders!
I don;t know if its just me because I’m quite new to this but I find it easier to use the eraser and magic eraser tools to get rid of the original background. I find the lassoo tool very fiddly but maybe its just lack of practice.
OK – I take back my last comment. I’ve got used to the ‘add and remove to selection’ features now which are very effective when you zoom in and also use the ‘Refine Selection’ option.
I officially love this programme now!
I’m fairly new to advanced photo editing software (although I did have Corel Paintshop Pro on my old PC before I switched to a mac).
I currently have the trial versions of Pixelmator and Photoshop Elements 10 to compare the two – but I will definetly be upgrading to Pixelmator when or before the trial expires.
This tutorial is very helpful and I like it a lot. I just think it is funny how in step 8 they worry about realisticism when they create the shadow but not when they crop out her feet. Facepalm moment there.
I like the ease in which this can be achieved. Of course choosing the right image(s) makes this more effective, but I wonder if it was noticed that the ocean horizon is still visible through the billowing silk in the final combined shot?
A minor issue for sure, but one that I would probably blur/blend to minimise.
Hi I wish these tutorials were on a white background,it would make them easier it to read and if you wanted to print them so you could read them as you manipulated the software you would not use a ton of black ink!
let’s keep the art for the photos. Thanks