Background removal in PhotoVCarve

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ErnieD
Posts: 7
Joined: Fri Jan 28, 2011 4:45 am

Background removal in PhotoVCarve

Post by ErnieD »

Hi,

I am a new user of PVC and I am having a tough time getting set up. I am trying to use a picture of my granddaughter and make a lithograph in wood and or aluminum. I am trying to remove all the background and cannot make any headway.

I have tried to remove the background using PaintShopPro and PhotoShop, both of which I find difficult to use. I think mostly because I am old, impatient and crotchety.

Have been to some forums and have been asked to post a picture of my granddaughter so that they could help but I have declined as my wife does not think that the picture should be posted in a public forum.

Short ob purchasing the required books for the above mentioned pieces of software,
can anyone come up with clear, concise and easily understood directions for background removal. Something that only requires one or two key strokes or mouse clicks would be nice.

Thanks,

Ernie

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Cdat
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Joined: Wed Nov 10, 2010 8:38 pm
Location: Swartz Creek MI

Re: Background removal in PhotoVCarve

Post by Cdat »

Look up the search function on this forum and type in REMOVE BACKGROUND. It ain't magic and will not work with a mouse click or two when you find the answer you're looking for. I'd tell you myself but I'm grumpier then you and figure you need to do it yourself. :twisted:
When I want your opinion, I will give it to you.

ErnieD
Posts: 7
Joined: Fri Jan 28, 2011 4:45 am

Re: Background removal in PhotoVCarve

Post by ErnieD »

Hi Cdat,

Thanks for the reply. I did the search and found that I must edit the photo with another software to remove the background and then import it into PVC. I guess I will look around for a deal on one of those.

Ernie

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P.Passuello
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Re: Background removal in PhotoVCarve

Post by P.Passuello »

Check out Gimp. It is free and will do the job for you
http://www.gimp.org/

Cheers
Peter
The ingenuity of idiots is unlimited.
http://www.youtube.com/user/cncnutz

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sawmiller
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Model of CNC Machine: joe's rack and pinion hybrid
Location: camden,tn

Re: Background removal in PhotoVCarve

Post by sawmiller »

here's one i did....
Attachments
Using gimp to photo edit for photocarve.pdf
(950.44 KiB) Downloaded 4367 times
woodmizer sawmill and joe's hybrid cnc, a good combination
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jhedlund58
Posts: 29
Joined: Sun Jan 23, 2011 2:21 pm

Re: Background removal in PhotoVCarve

Post by jhedlund58 »

I am old, impatient and crotchety and wood like to thank sawmiller for his pdf document on gimp.... my sweet, patient and saint of a wife got me gimp last week and i have been trying 2 get the background removed as well. sawmiller's instructions are great...... i recommend the walgreens 1.5x cheater glasses as well..... just hang em off the nose a little and growl whenever a kid comes close..... u should b OK.

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BrianM
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Re: Background removal in PhotoVCarve

Post by BrianM »

sawmiller wrote:here's one i did....
Hi Dan,

Thank you for creating and posting this guide - I've made it sticky on the PhotoVCarve forum.

Brian

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sawmiller
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Re: Background removal in PhotoVCarve

Post by sawmiller »

:oops: your welcome
woodmizer sawmill and joe's hybrid cnc, a good combination
In the heart of Tn

ErnieD
Posts: 7
Joined: Fri Jan 28, 2011 4:45 am

Re: Background removal in PhotoVCarve

Post by ErnieD »

Sawmiller,

Talk about clear, concise and detailed! I like it. I have not had the time to try your instructions but I will soon.
I thank you for this great posting.

Ernie :lol:

patmcl
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Re: Background removal in PhotoVCarve

Post by patmcl »

I can not get the Gimp to work for me. Every time I click the whole selection button the whole image FG and BG turn the same color. It is as if the invert is not doing its job or my selection around the whole image is not completed. It looks like the starting and finishing do not join up even though I try to get them to join. Can anyone offer any suggestions. Pat
Learning by trial and error or with the help of others is still learning and a great addiction!

jhedlund58
Posts: 29
Joined: Sun Jan 23, 2011 2:21 pm

Re: Background removal in PhotoVCarve

Post by jhedlund58 »

I had the same problem with gimp... but after the high school kids showed me a couple of times it does work.... the problem 2 me... is one wrong mouse click and u have 2 start over.... find some kids who r used 2 old men....... also... i find.... if i cut the lawn they will do the editing.... trade-off's!!! walgreen's cheater's r a must

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sawmiller
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Re: Background removal in PhotoVCarve

Post by sawmiller »

pat
might be you are missing one step

Then select "selection from path" using the using the select menu or button on the path menu .( under the second picture in the tutorial)

it doesnt even matter if the path is alll the way closed, it will draw a straight line between the endpoints
your selection will be dotted. then you invert

hope this helps
dan
woodmizer sawmill and joe's hybrid cnc, a good combination
In the heart of Tn

patmcl
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Re: Background removal in PhotoVCarve

Post by patmcl »

Thanks Dan, I have tried this over and over and still no luck. I get the conecting lines all around my image, so I am lost it appears the invert is working. Pat
Learning by trial and error or with the help of others is still learning and a great addiction!

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sawmiller
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Re: Background removal in PhotoVCarve

Post by sawmiller »

try it with a new image
start up gimp, goto file menu and select new

it's easier to see if you have older eyes like me, helps to see just how it's working
once you have selected a area try fill with foreground
again good way to see it, white on black
woodmizer sawmill and joe's hybrid cnc, a good combination
In the heart of Tn

edokus
Posts: 10
Joined: Thu Aug 11, 2011 8:33 pm
Model of CNC Machine: Shark pro

Re: Background removal in PhotoVCarve

Post by edokus »

:D
Great suggestion RE: GIMP. I had a little trouble obtaining the required result in removing the background but ultimately suceeded with great results.

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