Rendering Fur and Hair
(I am aware there is a tut similar on the net as I found it whilst making this one however it doesn't have my added tip which is very important ;D)
First of all this method is much better for images with a plain(ish) background, there are a few extra steps in doing this with a more textured background but I shall cover that in another tutorial. =] Ok, let's begin.
1) Find your image and ensure that the section you wish to render contrasts relatively well with the background, now duplicate this and work on the new copy. (We need the old one for later)
Spoiler (Click to View)
2) Okay, now you have that sorted go into the channels. If you do not see this in your workspace, no worries, just click Windows> Workspace> Channels
Spoiler (Click to View)
3)Hide all but one of the "red, green and blue" channels. The one left visible should be the one with the best contrast between the object you want to render and the background. (In my case this was green)
Spoiler (Click to View)
4) Now Depending on how your image contrasts will depend on your next task so I shall split these up into "a" and "b" (each stating a factor then instructions)
a) Your background is lighter than the objects - For this select the burn tool on midtones and (still on your selected channel) begin the go around the outside of your image until the edges are completely black (Use a low strength and a feathered brush)
b) Your background is darker than the object - For this select the dodge tool on highlights and (still on your selected channel) begin the go around the outside of your image until the edges are completely white (Use a low strength and a feathered brush)
(for me this was option "b")
Spoiler (Click to View)
5) Take paint brush tool and select the colour in which you have recently been transforming your object. (white or black) Now Continue to fill in the gaps within your boundary until the objects appears as a silhouette
Spoiler (Click to View)
(before continuing check for any missed sections by pressing "Ctrl+i" to invert the colours and the same to invert them back again)
6)Holding "Ctrl" click the image icon of the channel that you have been working on, this will select the silhouette.
Spoiler (Click to View)
7) Now your silhouette is selected return to the layers tab and click the layer containing the original version of your image.
Hold "Ctrl" and press "X" to cut from this image, next paste your object onto a new layer and delete/hide the unneeded layers.
And there ^^ A purrfect kitty.
Spoiler (Click to View)
Added Tip
You may be greeted with an unpleasant white outer edged to your furry little friends, this can make a render look instantly LQ when really it is cute perfectly (or as close as can get) But there is a very simple way of fixing this. =]
Spoiler (Click to View)
1) Create a new layer and set this layer as a clipping mask to the selected object
2) Duplicate your furry friend into this clipping mask, move the version within the clipping mask to whichever side this white mess is on until the mess is masked.
3) As you can see now your furry friend will look very odd. (two faces, etc) clean this excess kitty up with a reasonably sized feathered eraser, leaving the section masking the mess behind.
4) Merge the masking layer down, and Taa Daa. You're done.
Spoiler (Click to View)
Fin ^¬^
Hope this helped a lot of you, any questions? Just ask. =D
