Image cut-out using clipping paths in InDesign and Photoshop

Posted by Hadrian Cawthorne in Indesign, Photoshop on Sep 20th, 2010 | No Comments

There are lots of ways to create an image cut-out in InDesign and one way, a very flexible way, is to use the clipping path method. This method uses the image itself to create the cut-out.

Below is a (1) before and (2) after example of an image cut-out:

There are two main ways we can use the clipping path in InDesign:

  1. Detect edges
  2. Alpha channel

Access the clipping path options by:

  • Selecting the image
  • Use the menu - Object > Clipping Path > Options

Detect edges

This method works best with images that have a white background and a clear and defined subject, as in the image below.

But these kinds of images are difficult to find or often require manipulation in Photoshop anyway!

Alpha channel

An alpha channel is an invisible layer that is embeded in a Photoshop image. We can use Photoshop in many different ways to manipulate an image and create an alpa channel.

Example of an alpha channel:

You can see in the image above that the alpha channel is simply a mask which defines the background and subject.

In order to create the mask, we need to find ways of selecting either the background or subject: and there are many different methods depending on the image in question.

Method of creating alpha channels:

Selections..

Painting..

Magnetic lasso..

And now, what to do with these in InDesign..