Removing the Background of an Image

For a long time one would have to break out the old magic wand or lasso tool and carefully select around the portion of the image they wanted to remove the background. Then copy the selection and place it on a new layer or canvas. That is now a thing of the past!

The process of background removal is much more fine-tuned now by utilizing the pen tool. Using Adobe Fireworks 8

1. Open an image
2. Select the pen tool
3. Begin drawing an outline around the desired portion of the image
   
4. Upon completing the outline, Select the outline and press Modify>Convert Path to Marquee…
   
5. A pop-up will appear and click OK to anti-alias the edges of the selection.
   
6. Finally copy or cut the selection and paste it in the current canvas or a new one!
   

This technique can also be accomplished in Adobe Photoshop.

Happy Imaging!