Computer Graphics with Photoshop - Moving someone within a photo

Author

Moving someone within a photo

Nev

2004-12-20, 7:14 pm

I'm working on a family photo for Christmas cards, and want to move one of
the people closer to another [via layering] so the composition's more
balanced.

I know how to use the magnetic lasso to isolate the person, but can't figure
out how to grab and then reposition some of its points after I've
closed/finished the magnetic lasso path. As soon as the path's closed [L
click], all the 'grab points' disappear and the path's replaced by the
'moving ants' marquee line. The magic wand works, but the adding/subtracting
parts of it makes the magnetic lasso seem much quicker in this particular
application. The instruction manual's no help, at least that I can find.

If I could just grab and move the magnetic lasso points before the 'ants'
appear!

Grrrrrr... simple stuff, but I can't remember or find the solution.

Kataleeya Stecklair

2004-12-22, 4:14 am

Hi. Once you have the 'moving ants' (which shows you have a selection),
just hit ctrl+C and ctrl+V. You've got a new layer now with just your
selection. From there, change tools to the arrow and move your selection
wherever you want.

Hope that answers your question. :)

"Nev" <nev@whidbey.com> wrote in message
news:QfKdnSm-ja4VTlncRVn-sQ@whidbeytel.com...
> I'm working on a family photo for Christmas cards, and want to move one of
> the people closer to another [via layering] so the composition's more
> balanced.
>
> I know how to use the magnetic lasso to isolate the person, but can't
> figure out how to grab and then reposition some of its points after I've
> closed/finished the magnetic lasso path. As soon as the path's closed [L
> click], all the 'grab points' disappear and the path's replaced by the
> 'moving ants' marquee line. The magic wand works, but the
> adding/subtracting parts of it makes the magnetic lasso seem much quicker
> in this particular application. The instruction manual's no help, at least
> that I can find.
>
> If I could just grab and move the magnetic lasso points before the 'ants'
> appear!
>
> Grrrrrr... simple stuff, but I can't remember or find the solution.
>

Kataleeya Stecklair

2004-12-22, 4:14 am

oops--I had a duh moment. :) Now after my reading comprehension has kicked
in. . . ;)

Moving points, I use the pen tool (instead of lasso) to make my selection--a
lot more freedom that way. To make it a selection, go into "paths" in your
layers pallette, then click on "make selection," the third icon from the
left across the bottom of the pallette.

Hope *this* is more helpful than my previous. :)

(back to lurking :p )
"Nev" <nev@whidbey.com> wrote in message
news:QfKdnSm-ja4VTlncRVn-sQ@whidbeytel.com...
> I'm working on a family photo for Christmas cards, and want to move one of
> the people closer to another [via layering] so the composition's more
> balanced.
>
> I know how to use the magnetic lasso to isolate the person, but can't
> figure out how to grab and then reposition some of its points after I've
> closed/finished the magnetic lasso path. As soon as the path's closed [L
> click], all the 'grab points' disappear and the path's replaced by the
> 'moving ants' marquee line. The magic wand works, but the
> adding/subtracting parts of it makes the magnetic lasso seem much quicker
> in this particular application. The instruction manual's no help, at least
> that I can find.
>
> If I could just grab and move the magnetic lasso points before the 'ants'
> appear!
>
> Grrrrrr... simple stuff, but I can't remember or find the solution.
>

2004-12-22, 4:14 am

If you want an editable path, try using the pen tool. But from what you
say, it might be easiest to use Quick Mask mode (Icons near the bottom
of the toolbar, just below the foreground/background) to "paint" a
selection of your subject. This way you can add or subtract from your
selection by using the brush tool. A very intuitive method.

Peadge

2004-12-22, 7:14 am

"Nev" <nev@whidbey.com> wrote in message
news:QfKdnSm-ja4VTlncRVn-sQ@whidbeytel.com...
> I'm working on a family photo for Christmas cards, and want to move one of
> the people closer to another [via layering] so the composition's more
> balanced.
>
> I know how to use the magnetic lasso to isolate the person, but can't
figure
> out how to grab and then reposition some of its points after I've
> closed/finished the magnetic lasso path. As soon as the path's closed [L
> click], all the 'grab points' disappear and the path's replaced by the
> 'moving ants' marquee line. The magic wand works, but the
adding/subtracting
> parts of it makes the magnetic lasso seem much quicker in this particular
> application. The instruction manual's no help, at least that I can find.
>
> If I could just grab and move the magnetic lasso points before the 'ants'
> appear!
>
> Grrrrrr... simple stuff, but I can't remember or find the solution.
>
>

I just did the same thing with a photo of my parents for their 50th wedding
anniversary. Regarding the magnetic lasso, to add or subtract from the
selection ("marching ants") just hold down your SHFT key to add or your ALT
key to subtract. The "grab points" will always disappear once the selection
is complete.

A better idea might be to make a rough selection, copy it into a new layer
and position it near where you want it to be. Then use a mask to hide the
parts you don't want visible. Then it's just a matter of painting with black
or white to hide or make visible the portions of the new layer. To make
the mask, use the magic wand tool to select the empty pixels outside the new
layer, Select Inverse (SHFT+CTRL+I) and click on the layer mask icon at the
bottom of the layers palette. Painting with white removes the mask, black
adds to it. The cool thing about masks is that you never lose the actual
pixels. They just remain hidden or visible depending on the color chosen.

Peadge :-)

Tom Nelson

2004-12-22, 7:14 pm

The Magnetic Lasso "points" aren't Pen points and can't be adjusted
individually. As Nev found, they disappear once you close the path and
it becomes active.

Instead, adjust the selection with the drawing tools in Quick Mask
mode, or add/subtract from the selection with the other selection
tools.

Tom Nelson
Tom Nelson Photography

In article
<Hl8yd.1139730$Gx4.58420@bgtnsc04-news.ops.worldnet.att.net>, Kataleeya
Stecklair <kataleeya@worldnet.att.net> wrote:

> oops--I had a duh moment. :) Now after my reading comprehension has kicked
> in. . . ;)
>
> Moving points, I use the pen tool (instead of lasso) to make my selection--a
> lot more freedom that way. To make it a selection, go into "paths" in your
> layers pallette, then click on "make selection," the third icon from the
> left across the bottom of the pallette.
>
> Hope *this* is more helpful than my previous. :)
>
> (back to lurking :p )
> "Nev" <nev@whidbey.com> wrote in message
> news:QfKdnSm-ja4VTlncRVn-sQ@whidbeytel.com...
>
>

Kataleeya Stecklair

2004-12-28, 7:14 pm