Best tool for cutting out images

I'd like suggestions for the best way to remove images from their backgrounds. Which works best for you? Pen tool, Extract Tool or plugin?

Depends on the image that needs to be masked, but I prefer pen tool and extract tool. I don't really like plugins, but for some people, they work good.

plugins make the work very easy

but not for every body

So nobody likes using plugins then? I thought the one I linked too looked like a good tool to use.

Learn all the tools native to Photoshop. Check out demos of plugins, if you can.

Learn to determine which tools work best in which situation.

You'll find that most accurate selections require the judicious use of more than one tool or technique.

Couldn't agree more Utopian23, different methods for different selections. Plugins are all well and good and can in some instances speed up production, but they are not a shortcut to learning the 'native' tools to PS.

Pen tool and layer masks are always a good foundation for most selections and are editable. When comfortable with the usual tasks of masking, you could experiment with the more unusual or esoteric methods of selecting, for instance difference and contrast masking.

Here's some food for thought

http://members.ozemail.com.au/~binaryfx/PSTV_links.html#M

A quick update.

Now that the Fluid Mask plugin has finally been released I thought I'd give it a try out of interest. I must admit I was a little sceptical about plugins to start with and replies to my initial post didn't fill me with confidence, but I have to say it's one hell of a tool.

Vertus Tech have come up with the idea of an 'image information layer' where you can divide different parts of your image into delete, keep or complex areas which you can adjust ad infinitum until you're happy with the result before making the final cut.

My favorite feature though was something called the delete mask function. It works a bit like the wand tool as it automatically floods to the edges of your image allowing you to remove large unwanted areas in a few clicks.

The easyist way would be the extraction tool I prefer that combined with the art history brush

The pen tool works very nicely too but it's better if you know some basic about vectors.

Quick mask is a very effect way as well it's similar to the pen tool

But I perfer using a combination of polygonal/magnetic lasso + magic wand working in a 400% zoomed window.

So give all of them a spin and see which ones you like. (note you can find some good tutorials on www.good-tutorials.com under basics too as well as teamphotoshop)

[QUOTE=Aldwych10]I'd like suggestions for the best way to remove images from their backgrounds. Which works best for you? Pen tool, Extract Tool or plugin?[/QUOTE]

[[COLOR=Yellow]B]Suggestion:[/B][/COLOR]
If your background is mainly a single color
1. select/use the Magic wand tool, alter the image pixel wideness on the top title bar to [tolerance] represent within 10 values of your background color.

Once satisfied, use the magic wand. When the selection is active "marching ants', go to [select] [modify] , then use either -expand- or -contract- down a few pixels to remove the sharp edges created by the magic wand tool.

When the correct field is selected (remember to zoom) or use two windows (see here for that http://www.australiasigns.com.au/signage_magazine_online.html
use Alt/Delete to fill the color from you tool box foreground color.

[[COLOR=Yellow]B]Suggestion:[/B][/COLOR]
If you background is photographic...
On your Layers tool box, choose the tab - Paths

Down the bottom hover over the icon that allows 'New Path'.
Then click.
Once a new path is created, remain in this Path Tabulation.
Then use the pen tool to draw a line (path) around the image or areas to keep.

When your path is complete, the last drawn section of the path should be node over node to automatically join the path.

Then, hover over the icon at the bottom of your Path Tabulation to find 'Load path from selection'.

Then, use the first method by a few pixels to create a great looking selection.

Hope it helps,
BillyTea
http://www.australiasigns.com.au

Just a brief update to this thread. I noticed recently that a Windows version of this plugin has also been released and they've also dropped the price of the software to a more reasonable level. Still a very good tool though for anyone who struggles with the other methods of extraction.