I'am looking for a script or a plugin to remove backgrounds from pictures.

The paths tool is really difficult to use. I usually use the eraser and magic wand. You can only do so much with those tools. A script or a plugin would be helpful.

I don't know, if there is any out there or not.

Any help is appreciated.
Thank you

No clue as to why this new fg color select tool was never added to the devs list of priorities.

No clue as to why this new fg color select tool was never added to the devs list of priorities.

There is another plug-in named LASO but it works similarly as the selection tool.
However there is another GIMP version by RGGJAN that has a new foreground select tool with transparency selections.This was never released except for Parthas version you can find at his website here.
http://www.partha.com/
It is in the left menu at the bottom. ( Gimp - RGGJAN Fork ) Select your bit version either 32 or 64 bit.
It works very well.
Onkel Hatti released a version of Gimp-2.8.5 which contains both the old and newer fg select tools.You can find that here.
http://sourceforge.net/projects/gimp-pa ... kel_Hatti/ The newer tool is named the MATTING tool.
This is a screen shot of Onkels version.
[ Image ]

Before selection
[ Image ]

After selection
[ Image ]

No clue as to why this new fg color select tool was never added to the devs list of priorities.

in my opinion, asking for a script to remove background is a misconception
because it depends largely on the kind of background

there are countless tutorials on youtube that show how to render pictures
and there are countless methods to achieve that goal, depending on what you are working with

for example rendering hair is quite difficult, you cannot really do that with the lasso/path tool

so there are rendering methods with channels, filters (ChrisF just posted one), layermasks, different tools like the foreground selection tool or the color removal mode for the brush tool
i dont think there is one universal tool/technique that can do it all everytime
its an art

and having the right picture is quite essential as well
so when you shoot the picture yourself, make sure you have good lighting, contrast and a white background
will make the job much easier

in my opinion, asking for a script to remove background is a misconception
because it depends largely on the kind of background

there are countless tutorials on youtube that show how to render pictures
and there are countless methods to achieve that goal, depending on what you are working with

for example rendering hair is quite difficult, you cannot really do that with the lasso/path tool

so there are rendering methods with channels, filters (ChrisF just posted one), layermasks, different tools like the foreground selection tool or the color removal mode for the brush tool
i dont think there is one universal tool/technique that can do it all everytime
its an art

and having the right picture is quite essential as well
so when you shoot the picture yourself, make sure you have good lighting, contrast and a white background
will make the job much easier

I don´t get why path tool is so popular for bg extraction, polygonal selection tool is easier and faster imho.

I use GrowCut and it does work with my Gimp-2.8.4.
I have not tried in Gimp-2.8.7 yet.

Screenshot.
[ Image ]

Installed Growcut, but can't find it once I open GIMP.

Never mind. I installed a version that no longer works, apparently.

I don´t get why path tool is so popular for bg extraction, polygonal selection tool is easier and faster imho.

You need to install the plugin and set a PATH with PSPI. (Filters>Photoshop-Plugin-Settings)
After install you will find it under Filters>iPhotosoft>GrowCut
A window will open for your reg key info.Add that and restart GrowCut.

Remember GrowCut only works on images with an alpha channel.

you cant change the nodes of the lasso tool after you clicked

what i dislike about the path Tool in Gimp is that the nodes have become too big
i think they changed that in 2.8
the nodes were smaller in 2.6 if i remember correctly