Erase objects from photos
By Kleber Stephenson
You have a great photo of you and your significant other walking on a beach. The only problem is that every other couple in the area was walking on the beach with you and that's not the picture you really want. No problem—you simply remove the other people.
Many digital image editing software programs include a tool to erase unwanted elements from your photos. For this example we're using the Smart Erase Tool found in Microsoft Digital Image Pro.
Note: Before you edit your digital photographs, it's a good idea to make a copy of the original image and make your edits to that copy. This way you'll have preserved the original image in case you need to go back to it.
Here's how you remove unwanted objects from your photo:
1. | Open your photo in Microsoft Digital Image Pro. |
2. | Click Smart Erase from the Touchup task panel.  |
3. | Use your mouse to click and drag a loose outline around the first object you want to remove. When you've closed the outline around the object, the pointer will change from a cross hair to a cross hair with a small black box in the center. This indicates that the selection is complete. |
4. | To add to an existing outline or to outline multiple areas in your photo using the Smart Erase tool, hold the SHIFT key on your keyboard as you make each selection. Note: You can also remove parts of a selection by holding the ALT key on your keyboard and using your mouse to select the area that you want to remove from a selection.  |
5. | When you've finished selecting the objects that you want to remove, click Fill in from the Smart Erase task panel, and the objects will be removed. |
6. | If you don't get the results you hoped for on your first try, click Reset from the Smart Erase task panel, and begin again. You can back up one edit at a time by clicking Undo last action. Play around with the tool until you get just the right look.  |
7. | When you've finished removing the objects and you're satisfied with the results, click Done.  |
8. | Select the File menu, and then choose Save or Save As to save your new picture.  |
The crowded beach is now convincingly deserted except for you and your partner. Now isn't that a better way to remember that stroll along the beach?
Kleber Stephenson is Director of Seminars and Director of Windows Technologies for KW Media Group, Inc. He is also the author of Windows XP Killer Tips, Microsoft Office 2003 Killer Tips, and Learn Windows XP for 5 Bucks, and co-author of iTunes for Windows.
