How to Cut Out Images in Photoshop with the Pen Tool

Cutting out parts of an image is a common task in graphic design, whether you’re creating a logo, designing a banner, or simply changing the background of a photo. Essentially, it involves selecting specific areas of an image for further editing. When the area you want to select has irregular shapes, specialized tools and techniques are necessary.

Photoshop offers various selection tools, including the Pen Tool, Lasso Tool, and Rectangular Marquee Tool. This guide will focus on using the Pen Tool. While not the only option, many find it to be one of the most straightforward for intricate selections. For complex edges like hair, more advanced techniques beyond just the Pen Tool are often needed, but for many tasks, it’s perfectly sufficient.

Let’s explore the steps to cut out an image using the Pen Tool in Photoshop.

1. Open the Image You Want to Edit

   First, open the image you intend to modify in Photoshop.

2. Select the Pen Tool and Set Mode to Path

   Locate the Pen Tool in the Tools panel. In the options bar at the top, ensure the Pen Tool mode is set to “Path” rather than “Shape”. This is crucial for creating selections.

3. Make a Rough Selection Around the Image Area

   Begin clicking around the object you want to cut out. Don’t worry about being perfectly precise at this stage. Create anchor points around the general shape of the object.

4. Add Anchor Points to Refine the Path

   To make the selection more accurate, right-click on the path and select “Add Anchor Point”. Add these points where the path deviates from the object’s edge.

5. Edit Anchor Points for a Detailed Selection

   Now, use the Direct Selection Tool (white arrow) to click and drag anchor points and their handles. Adjust these to precisely follow the contours of the object you are cutting out. This step may take some practice to master, but it’s key to a clean cutout.

6. Convert the Path to a Selection

   Once you have a closed path accurately outlining your object, right-click anywhere on the path and choose “Make Selection”. In the Make Selection dialog, a Feather Radius of 0 or 1 pixel is usually appropriate for clean cuts. Click “OK”. You will now see selection marching ants around your object.

7. Cut Out the Selected Image Area

   With the selection active, press Ctrl+X (or Cmd+X on Mac) to cut the selected portion of the image. You can then paste it (Ctrl+V or Cmd+V) into a new layer or document, effectively isolating the cutout object.

8. Conclusion

   Congratulations! You’ve successfully cut out an image using the Pen Tool in Photoshop. While other tools exist, the Pen Tool offers precision and control for complex shapes, making it an invaluable skill for anyone working with image editing. Practice refining your path creation and anchor point manipulation to achieve even cleaner and more professional cutouts.