Image Hospital: Help With Image Problems Here!

[ScifiGirl]

thank you Ego, I've downloaded both. I gave the Alpha one a quick go. It does give me a transparent background to the image. So, next step (apologies in advance, I am slow) how do I copy paste the image? Do I still need to use another tool to select the image on the transparent background?

[Cc4FuzzyHuggles]

I'm not sure if this is the answer you want, but here is how to copy/paste.

 

You first want to select your image. Be sure you are on the right layer, then to select the image you can either :

* Select All (ctrl + a)

* Use the "move Selected pixels" tool by clicking on the canvas once with it.

* Or use one of the other selection tools, such as the "rectangle selection".

 

Once your object is selected you can copy it.

Copy is ctrl + c, or look at the menu bar and click this icon :Copy:, of go to Menu bar > Edit Tab > Copy.

To paste the image, paste is ctrl + v, or up in the menu bar click this icon :PasteInToNewLayer:, or  go to Menu bar > Edit Tab > Paste.

 

If you need help pasting it to a particular place, I'll need more details on what your goal is.

Edited May 7, 2014 by Cc4FuzzyHuggles

[ScifiGirl]

did it again, it does work I still though get a very light white area around the image when pasted. I'll do it again and take a screen cap later ....thank you

[barbieq25]

Have you tried AA Assistant to clean up the last bit? 

[ScifiGirl]

I did, you can see the results in my new album here. Doing a figure was worse. My dad thinks its my computer, the graphics card can't handle it or something

[barbieq25]

Ok, try running Feather first & then AA Assistant. Curve looks good now bit agree that the white fuzz detracts. 

[ScifiGirl]

I did both, might have to do it a couple of times maybe.

[Cc4FuzzyHuggles]

ScifiGirl, have you tried the cutting out images tutorial yet? It's not normally needed for simple white backgrounds, but it doesn't hurt to know more ways to cut-out pictures. In case you haven't tried it, it's found here : http://forums.getpaint.net/index.php?/topic/13796-cutting-out-images/

 

And sorry, I forgot about the Alpha Mask plugin. It's great for cutting out images and having nicer edges vs the selection tool. Still needs the edge smoothing plugins though.

The Plugin : http://forums.getpaint.net/index.php?/topic/1854-alpha-mask-import-plugin-20/

A tutorial that uses the plugin : http://forums.getpaint.net/index.php?/topic/19110-white-background-removal-preserve-transparency-2-steps/

 

For your character, duplicate the image and use brightness/contrast to make the image black and white. It will then act as your mask that you can copy and use with the plugin (for the plugin settings, check-mark "paste from clipboard" and "invert mask"). If you need a better explanation, let me know.

Edited May 8, 2014 by Cc4FuzzyHuggles

[barbieq25]

I did both, might have to do it a couple of times maybe.

Sometimes yes. Also sometimes I need to use Gaussian Blur at low settings too. Jaggies are best handled by starting out with a large canvas & then reducing it, e.g. 2 x larger or 4 times larger. If your machine has a hard time due to RAM issues, then it will be harder to implement. 

 

Tutorials are a great way of getting to know the plugins & also different ways of working. A great way to speed up the whole learning process  

[ScifiGirl]

Thanks Barbie, those are good tips and yes it is the RAM I think, rather low as this compy is 12 years old Lol...

 

I'm reading as much as I can absorb

[Cc4FuzzyHuggles]

@ ScifiGirl
Re-referencing your first post,

My biggest and most frustrating issue is still getting nice clean cut outs. Before with my other software which shall remain nameless, I would use the magic wand, especially simple and neat if the pic you're cutting out is on a white background. But with PDN, I am seriously struggling in this dept. So, how can I cut this out nicely with PDN?

 

I have an answer with better detail now. Perhaps this belongs in the tutorial section of the forums though, because my answer with more details kind of turned into a tutorial. Either way, I hope it accomplishes what you want.
 
Using Alpha Mask + Smoothing plugins, here is one way you can cut out your image.
( for this tut you will need to know how to use the paint.net user interface and layers : UI -- http://www.getpaint.net/doc/latest/MainWindow.html  Layers -- http://www.getpaint.net/doc/latest/ )
 
Click "Show" for the tutorial. (Note : This tutorial is subject to change.)

Hidden Content:

1) Open your image. (Optional : Name it's layer, Original Image)
2) Add a new layer. Make this layer a temporary background by filling it with a color or a gradient of colors. (Optional : Name the new layer, Temporary Background)
3) Duplicate your Original Image and move the duplicate up, so that it is your top layer. (Optional : Name the duplicated layer, Object Layer)
4) Go up to the Menu Bar > Adjustments Tab > Brightness/Contrast.
   Settings :
     Brightness -100
     Contrast 100
And color holes in with black paint.
(note: step 4 does not work for all images. but making the object into a black shape is needed for alpha mask to work.)
 
The Layers, Brightness/Contrast, and Example Holes to Color Black
http://i1146.photobucket.com/albums/o528/Cc4FuzzyHuggles/Other/MiniTutforCuttingOutwithAlphaMask_zps0304fdaa.jpg
 
5) Since I don't like to make big changes to my original image, in case I make a mistake or want to re-do things, I'm going to instruct you next, to Duplicate your Original Image. Then move the duplicated layer above the temporary background. (Optional : Name this duplicated layer, Cut-Out Layer)
6) Then click the Object layer, select all (ctrl + a), copy (ctrl + c), and uncheck the object layer to make it invisible.
7) If you aren't already on the Cut-Out Layer now, click the Cut-Out Layer. Then go up to the Menu Bar > Effects > Alpha Mask
   Settings :
     Invert Alpha Mask : Checked
     Mix Alpha : Unchecked
     Paste From Clipboard : Checked
De-Select (ctrl + D).

The Layers & Alpha Mask
http://i1146.photobucket.com/albums/o528/Cc4FuzzyHuggles/Other/AlphaMaskInvertampClipboard_zps768357a0.jpg
 
8) For ugly body edges, make a broad selection around the body using the lasso tool, and run one or all of these plugins (I often use all three as a combo attack on ugly edges) :
   First Basic Antialias. – The Plugin http://forums.getpaint.net/index.php?/topic/7644-basic-antialias-version-11-bug-fixed-january-14-2008/
   Then Feather (not the old one) with radius set to 3. – The Plugin http://forums.getpaint.net/index.php?/topic/2140-feather-plugin-now-with-source/
   Last AA's Assistant with default settings. Optional, run it twice. The plugin is part of this pack – http://forums.getpaint.net/index.php?showtopic=16643
 
This Picture has been modified to show an example of all three plugins.
http://i1146.photobucket.com/albums/o528/Cc4FuzzyHuggles/Other/MiniTutSmoothingPlugins_zps9837ce23.jpg
 
9) For ugly hair edges, sadly that's not something I've found a good solution for yet. So all I can suggest, is make a selection around the outside of the hair as best you can and experiment. Hair is different since it's edges are fine and detailed, so sometimes it can't always be treated the same as the rest of the image. I think you've had a lot of suggestions on how to cut-out images and smooth edges, so hopefully you can apply what you are learning to help clean up the hair's edges and get something satisfying.
Here are a few ideas :
Try Alpha Blur, settings radius 1 and Shift in <– till you have something you like. ( The Plugin -- http://forums.getpaint.net/index.php?/topic/24280-alpha-blur-v2-2012-03-05/ )
Or use AA's Assistant and adjust the sharpness to your liking.
Or try using Grim Color Reaper.

Here is a picture of me trying Grim Color Reaper (GCR). I first zoomed in super, super close (not shown), used the eye dropper tool to grab a color from the very edge of the stuff I didn't want (not shown), then I ran the plugin, set color to primary color and started adjusting the color tolerance (shown). Comparing the selected part and unselected parts, you can see the unselected parts around the hair are more choppy.
http://i1146.photobucket.com/albums/o528/Cc4FuzzyHuggles/Other/MiniTutforCuttingOutwithAlphaMaskGrimColorReaper_zps4df82e6d.jpg
 
For the other parts of the hair, I mostly used AA's Assistant, but tried more GCR, and some Alpha Blur.
 
Here is the full picture/end result. (It's not perfect and it's only an example.)
http://i1146.photobucket.com/albums/o528/Cc4FuzzyHuggles/Other/MiniTutforCuttingOutwithAlphaMaskMain_zps58b3ac38.jpg     http://i1146.photobucket.com/albums/o528/Cc4FuzzyHuggles/Other/MiniTutforCuttingOutwithAlphaMaskMainPNG_zpsb7c4c735.png
 
With your image cut-out, you can now use it with any background.
I suggest saving the image in layers (pdn), then hide the layers you don't want, flatten, and save as a PNG.

Edit : some links faild, Fixed now. Edited May 9, 2014 by Cc4FuzzyHuggles

[ScifiGirl]

Thank you so much for that and your time CC This is wonderful, it will take me a little time to grasp it all, but I will. I've copied the entire text and pics into word, so I can print it and read it while giving it a try. Truly grateful to you

[johnnysdream]

http://i.imgur.com/3wLJbXy.jpg

Wow!What in everything thats holy is going on here?Why when I do this thumbnail thing do I get this horrible effect?The rings?I loaded this image up the same way in my gallery and was horrified to see this unacceptable mash of garbage unworthy of Paint.net.The picture turned out just fine at Deviant Art.And it does not look like that on my pc.But I just know "you guys" have an answer.

 

[ScifiGirl]

Johnny, it looks beautiful to me honestly, there is nothing wrong with it. We really should collaborate on some work have you seen my new gallery? Lol

[johnnysdream]

Johnny, it looks beautiful to me honestly, there is nothing wrong with it. We really should collaborate on some work have you seen my new gallery? Lol

Thank you so much!Yes,I love your work and it reminds me of myself because I have/make a lot of ships in sketchup and then I render them in shaderlight but I dont put those images here.I just commented on your gallery a little bit ago.

[ScifiGirl]

my dad used to use Sketchup, one of his ships is in one of my pics I wish I knew how to use that software Lol.

 

You did and thank you

[barbieq25]

http://i.imgur.com/3wLJbXy.jpg

Wow!What in everything thats holy is going on here?Why when I do this thumbnail thing do I get this horrible effect?The rings?I loaded this image up the same way in my gallery and was horrified to see this unacceptable mash of garbage unworthy of Paint.net.The picture turned out just fine at Deviant Art.And it does not look like that on my pc.But I just know "you guys" have an answer.

 

dA is what I upload to. It allows the user the choice of how the image will be displayed.

Since most of my work is 1920 x 1080 wallpapers, I choose that size.

 

You could try this:

Once you have uploaded your image, download it.

Yes, seems silly but what you really want is the URL (web address in the address bar of your browser).

Then where you want to post your image type the URL of the image "> the URL of the image

This way you should get what you see not all the distracting stuff that goes with Photobucket or resizing that you don't want.

[johnnysdream]

Going to try this barbieq25

[ScifiGirl]

I use photobucket, its much easier than most of the other photo storage sites

[toe_head2001]

--deleted--

Edited January 9, 2015 by toe_head2001

[Humility]

never mind

Edited August 8, 2015 by Humility

[Humility]

I just got off of a 13 hour binge draw in paint.net after having spent five hours sketching this out yesterday. I don't know why but I felt inspired. One of my players says that is far too much time spent for the result, do you think I am going too slow? Most of my time is spent fixing the lines. The effects are the easy part.

 

 

I tried to use gradients here but I drew a blank on where to use them so I ended up only using them on the angel's skin. Other than I realized too late I should have spent the long, long load up times to create a seamless background texture instead of checkering it on as you see there. Also for some reason I drew a blank on how to do the ceiling without making it look... wrong.

[Humility]

Two more pictures,

 

 

[Brian R. Whitten]

On 5/2/2008 at 3:44 PM, Ash said:

You should try my grass brush

Make the color of the grass a bit more random.

You need to use a little distorts on your wood, like I've said before.

To me it looks great, good job mate. 

[LoudSilence]

one of the clouds looks unnatural