cutting out an image

[musicmanfernando]

If I import an image into Anime Studio but I don`t want the background does Anime Studio Debut 9 have the capability to cut out the image or do I have to buy photo editing software and do this first before I import the image?? I hope you guys understand what I am trying to do here . I have pictures that I have taken and also images that I have taken from the web which I want to incorporate into my animations but I can not do it because I don`t know how to remove the object from the background. Thanks

[slowtiger]

You have to cut out the image in any bitmap application - like Photoshop (expensive) or Gimp (free). Save it as PNG with transparency.

[wizaerd]

Or perhaps use making to hide the backgrounds... best bet is to actually edit them in an image editor though.

[Poptoogi]

Here's a video I made awhile ago for just this purpose. Hope this helps!

[slowtiger]

Although it's completely possible to mask out unwanted image parts in AS, it's not really advisible in the long run.
1. You can't do really complicated stufflike masking out hair etc.
2. Each mask or each image must get rendered by AS, thus doubling processor load. In projects using lots of images, like mine, this would be prohibitive.

[Poptoogi]

True. I definitely would not use this method for cutting out parts for a character. If your looking to cut simple objects this works just fine. Another example of were I've used this technique is for talking heads. Although it's better to create pngs by cutting out objects in an editing program to save memory, I know some people would like to know it is in fact possible to do it all in AS. It really depends on what it is your trying to accomplish. But like slow tiger and Wizaerd both stated, it's a good idea to use an editing program to cut out pics. It's a good thing to know how to do.