[How do I solve this back ground removal problem]

I've used a "threshold" tool that comes with one of the plug-ins to blacken out backgrounds that I wanted removed from a photo.

The problem is that this doesn't work well or easily in general and I would appreciate help with techniques to deal with photos like the one attached.

In this photo, I want only the family/people without the back ground of the house (etc).

Thank you.

It would be great to have a tool that removes backgrounds but as far as I know that does not exist. Using an eraser tool to make a halo then zooming in on your photo (400%+) to erase or paint pixels helps. Moving back and forth between 100% and 400%+ and making small adjustments helps.

Photographers often use a blue or green screen (or just plain background) to make it easier for removing backgrounds. The magic wand tool helps if you have stark contrast but in a photo like your example, I think you'll have some work to do.

Here is an example of using: zoom in/out, eraser (adjusting size), colour picker, paint brush (adjusting size)

Uploaded with ImageShack.us

[pyrochild plugins (2020-11-21)]

I don't know if it will help, but the pyrochild.effects.common.dll

isn't needed any more, so it can be deleted.

Delete that and restart Paint.NET, see if it makes a difference.

Thanks Sarkut,

I decided to uninstall Paint.Net 3.5.5 ( I had trouble deleting "pyrochild.effects.common.dll" ) and delete the Paint.Net folder from Program Files and start over.

I downloaded Paint.Net 3.5.5 and dropped the bundle of plugins into my Local Disk (C:) > Program Files > Paint.Net > Effects.

Now I have no plugin errors and smudge appears under "Effects" > "Tools" as you mentioned.

Happier Paint.Net user here

[pyrochild plugins (2020-11-21)]

Current plugin is compatible with current Paint.NET.

Did you copy over a fresh pyrochild.effects.REQUIRED.dll

to the Effects folder along with the plugin files?

Pls. open your Paint.NET\Effects folder, and make a full-screen screenshot showing

folder contents and the full path to the folder in the Windows Explorer Address Bar.

Upload to an image host, and post the Direct Link URL here.

http://imageshack.us/

Done

[pyrochild plugins (2020-11-21)]

Zipit,

Yes. In some previous Paint.NET versions Smudge was found in Distorts, now in Tools.

Pls. check in Utilities to see if there are any plugin load errors.

Thanks Sarkut for the tip about Utilities. Unfortunately it only helped confirm what I expected :

"File: C:\Program Files\Paint.NET\Effects\Smudge.dll

Effect Name: pyrochild.effects.smudge.Smudge

Full error message: This plugin is incompatible with this version of Paint.NET."

Is it possible to get a smudge tool on Paint.Net 3.5.5? Perhaps I need to return to an earlier version of Paint.Net?

[pyrochild plugins (2020-11-21)]

Smudge will normally be found in the Tools sub-menu of the Effects menu.

Hi Sarkut, I'm not sure if you are attempting to answer my question about the missing smudge tool. I do know where the smudge tool used to be but like I said it is not there now in the Paint.Net 3.5.5 version.

[pyrochild plugins (2020-11-21)]

Hi ya,

I am a occasional user of Paint.Net but have always updated when the opportunity arises. I recently updated to Paint.Net 3.5.5

The plugins do not all appear (for example I really want to use the smudge tool but it is not in drop down "effects" in paint.net

I had the smudge tool working well on an earlier version but it is not there now (I have downloaded all the plugins from your link and placed them in the Local disk (C:) > Program Files > Paint.Net > Effects).

What else might I need to do to have the plugins appear?