Well as the title explains there are three ways to extract a scan from it's background. Each one depends on the program you use and you ability level.

The first way to extract a scan is using the eraser tool. This is the hardest and most time consuming task. In order to extract a scan this way you have to get really close to the image so you can see the pixels, then you have to use your judgment on whether the pixel is part of the character or part of the background.If done right the image will come out flawless and beautiful.

The second way to extract a scan is using the lasso tool. With this tool you can set the feathering option (see words to know for explanation) and you can either do it freehand or point to point. I would only suggest you use free hand if you are really good with a mouse or using a tablet. This type of scan extraction is one of the easier methods, and uses the least amount of time. The out come will look nice, and sometimes kinda choppy, so use the setting best for you.

The last way to extract a scan is using mask layers.(see words to know for clearer explanation). This is the easiest way of extraction, and it looks the best. When Using mask layers you are not really deleting the background just making it disappear, so if you mess up you can always undo it. It also helps make you image flow with your background better.

Never used option 1, mostly use option 2 with the point to point. Actually never used masked layers out side of a few times in Illustrator, so maybe I'll give that a try.

There's a 4th option I can think of too. That's if the background is a solid color, you can actually just not cut it out at all and use some creative blending methods to extract it. I've done that twice with two three wallpapers:

I was just giving some simple options, but thank you for your contribution.

Silly Aaapa ^^ I wasn't going all 'you're wrong!' on you, and I know it's an option that's only limitedly useful, just thought I'd mention it to try to be helpful, that's all ^_^;

Hi,

I guess I'm part of the GIMP'er group of users on here. I have tried 'option 1' with the eraser when I first started cause I didn't know what I was doing. 'Option 2' as far as I know is available in GIMP but I could be wrong. I haven't explored that all out yet.

All I use is the 'paths tool'. It does take a while to train your eye to go along the lines of the scan and can be a bit time consuming if you've got a rather detailed scan. But if not then its rather a breeze. I also like to use it because you can move your 'dot' and make it fit the 'scan lines' a lot better then just free handing it.

But that's about as far as my GIMP extracting know-how goes. *^^v*heh

Oh, and here are some tutorial's on it if anyone wants to know more about it. Gimp: Path tutorial and YouTube: Path tutorial.

::Angel::