PhotoPaint - Simple Image Compositing
 

Compositing an image can be done in several different ways. For images that don't have a lot of detail simply using the eraser brush is enough.

I want the size of my image to be 350 x 350 so I've created a blank image of that size.

I've chosen two images that I want to composite.

You need to import your images. They import as objects. The images do not have to be the size of the blank image. You can resize them by dragging the handles on the imported object to make it fit the canvas.

Below shows the object after it has been resized.

I now have a background layer and an object layer.

Choose the Eraser brush and use the settings below. If you need a smaller nib you can adjust that by using the slider to the left of the nib size. Mine is set to 20.

Import the second image that you want to composite over the first image. Size it so it fits the canvas just as we did with the first image.

Using the Eraser brush, start to remove the parts of the top object/image.

When you get a good deal of the top object erased you can turn off the bottom object/image so you can see where the detail work needs to be done. At this point you may want to reduce the size of the Erase nib.

Continue erasing and toggling between viewing both objects and just the top object. When you get really close to parts of the top object that need erasing you may need to reduce your nib size again. Be careful not to lose detail in the top object.

Once you have it all erased you can merge the layers or save the image as it is. I now have a much more interesting foreground than what was in the original image.

Copyright Vikki Olds, All Rights Reserved