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Proof studying for my degree hasn't been a waste of time!

Roadie · 24 · 3200

gb Offline Roadie

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Well here's a tip o picked up in one of my modules for my degree :)

It really only works with white backgrounds as it will slightly alter the colours of the object you are taking a pic of.

First we take a pic of the "white" background to be used:


Then we take a pic with the object infront of the background (try not to move the camera around :) )


Now we perform a subtraction of the background from the object pic, this is done in an image processing software (photoshop/paint shop pro are ones i know this can be done in but have a look round your favourite package for arithmetic/subtraction or something similar)
This gives this:


Then invert the colours on the image (negative or something similar in your software)


Then a bit of play around with the brightness/contrast levels:


This gives an image of the object on a near as make no odds smooth white background :) Maybe not useful for anyone but thought i'd share :D
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england Offline Benner

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Re: Proof studying for my degree hasn't been a waste of time!
Reply #1 on: May 04, 2008, 05:56:24 PM
Great little effect that mate.  :)

I'm too lazy to do all of that though.  :D  Resizing is about as time consuming as I get.
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gb Offline Roadie

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Re: Proof studying for my degree hasn't been a waste of time!
Reply #2 on: May 04, 2008, 06:01:24 PM
Great little effect that mate.  :)

I'm too lazy to do all of that though.  :D  Resizing is about as time consuming as I get.

It's quite clever isn't it :) It doesn't take that long to do though, doesn't work on non uniform backgrounds though, you end up with an overlay on the object of the texture of the background. Although wood effect multi's are an interesting sight :D
Life is like a sandwich...the older it gets the crustier it becomes!


us Offline J-sews

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Re: Proof studying for my degree hasn't been a waste of time!
Reply #3 on: May 04, 2008, 06:05:40 PM
That last picture gives the tool a "hanging in space" sort of an effect dunnit?
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gb Offline Roadie

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Re: Proof studying for my degree hasn't been a waste of time!
Reply #4 on: May 04, 2008, 06:07:21 PM
That last picture gives the tool a "hanging in space" sort of an effect dunnit?

That is does, it probably doesn't help that there isn't much shadow to show its resting on something :think:
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us Offline J-sews

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Re: Proof studying for my degree hasn't been a waste of time!
Reply #5 on: May 04, 2008, 06:09:07 PM
Did you fiddle with the background to make it match the Multitool.org forum background, or did it just turn out that way?
In order to be certain of having the right tool for every job.........one must first acquire a lot of tools


gb Offline Roadie

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Re: Proof studying for my degree hasn't been a waste of time!
Reply #6 on: May 04, 2008, 06:11:46 PM
Did you fiddle with the background to make it match the Multitool.org forum background, or did it just turn out that way?

It just turned out that way, as the forum background is as close to white as makes no difference. (RGB - 236/237/243 where as white is 255/255/255)
Life is like a sandwich...the older it gets the crustier it becomes!


us Offline J-sews

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Re: Proof studying for my degree hasn't been a waste of time!
Reply #7 on: May 04, 2008, 06:16:41 PM
Did you fiddle with the background to make it match the Multitool.org forum background, or did it just turn out that way?

It just turned out that way, as the forum background is as close to white as makes no difference. (RGB - 236/237/243 where as white is 255/255/255)

Hmmmm. To my eyes your second pic from the bottom has a background that is MUCH more white. Background on the bottom pic is sort of medium grey.

Or is that just my computer monitor?
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england Offline Benner

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Re: Proof studying for my degree hasn't been a waste of time!
Reply #8 on: May 04, 2008, 06:21:38 PM
Mine looks the same.
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gb Offline Roadie

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Re: Proof studying for my degree hasn't been a waste of time!
Reply #9 on: May 04, 2008, 06:26:43 PM
No thats right, that would be due to me altering the brightness and contrast levels to make the tool more real life like.
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gb Offline Roadie

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Re: Proof studying for my degree hasn't been a waste of time!
Reply #10 on: May 04, 2008, 06:50:29 PM
Adding a bit of an explanation:

When you do the subtraction of the background from the object image, you are in fact taking the values of each individual pixel from the corresponding pixel in the two images. In black and white images white has a value of 255 and black 0 so when you apply the subtraction and both the pixels have the same value (due to being the same background) the resultant is 0 thus it makes the whole background look black, it also however reduces the whiteness value of the pixels on the object by the corresponding values of the pixels that occupy the space of the object in the background image. Thus you get a slightly lighter object than you started with and the need for correction of brightness and contrast.

I think that all makes sense! If not gives us a shout and i'll try and explain better :D
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us Offline J-sews

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Re: Proof studying for my degree hasn't been a waste of time!
Reply #11 on: May 04, 2008, 06:58:44 PM
By jove that actually makes sense.  :P

So if I understand this correctly, the process will work best with black-objects-on-a-white-background? Seems like subtraction will be more of a problem the lighter your featured object is?
In order to be certain of having the right tool for every job.........one must first acquire a lot of tools


gb Offline Roadie

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Re: Proof studying for my degree hasn't been a waste of time!
Reply #12 on: May 04, 2008, 07:10:19 PM
By jove that actually makes sense.  :P

So if I understand this correctly, the process will work best with black-objects-on-a-white-background? Seems like subtraction will be more of a problem the lighter your featured object is?

Unfortunately this is true the lighter the object the more trouble you'll have :(
Life is like a sandwich...the older it gets the crustier it becomes!


england Offline Benner

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Re: Proof studying for my degree hasn't been a waste of time!
Reply #13 on: May 04, 2008, 07:12:05 PM
By jove that actually makes sense.  :P

So if I understand this correctly, the process will work best with black-objects-on-a-white-background? Seems like subtraction will be more of a problem the lighter your featured object is?

Unfortunately this is true the lighter the object the more trouble you'll have :(

Just another excuse to go buy BO.  :D
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gb Offline Roadie

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Re: Proof studying for my degree hasn't been a waste of time!
Reply #14 on: May 04, 2008, 08:07:07 PM
By jove that actually makes sense.  :P

So if I understand this correctly, the process will work best with black-objects-on-a-white-background? Seems like subtraction will be more of a problem the lighter your featured object is?

Unfortunately this is true the lighter the object the more trouble you'll have :(

Just another excuse to go buy BO.  :D

:D A bit of thinking about it, you could use a black background for light objects, i'll have to do a few experiments :think:
Life is like a sandwich...the older it gets the crustier it becomes!


gb Offline Mike, Lord of the Spammers!

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Re: Proof studying for my degree hasn't been a waste of time!
Reply #15 on: May 04, 2008, 11:39:38 PM
Looks good Ryan :), of course I lost you about mid second sentance :D
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gb Offline Roadie

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Re: Proof studying for my degree hasn't been a waste of time!
Reply #16 on: May 04, 2008, 11:44:58 PM
Looks good Ryan :), of course I lost you about mid second sentance :D

Thanks :) It's not that hard though, i'm sure you could do it! You don't have to know what you are doing just click the right buttons :D
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gb Offline Mike, Lord of the Spammers!

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Re: Proof studying for my degree hasn't been a waste of time!
Reply #17 on: May 04, 2008, 11:49:03 PM
Looks good Ryan :), of course I lost you about mid second sentance :D

Thanks :) It's not that hard though, i'm sure you could do it! You don't have to know what you are doing just click the right buttons :D
I'm not sure I'd attempt it without there being at least one Tech Priest handy :D

But would it make the knife I'm selling look more appealing to potential buyers :think:
Give in, buy several Farmer's!!!!!!


gb Offline Roadie

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Re: Proof studying for my degree hasn't been a waste of time!
Reply #18 on: May 04, 2008, 11:53:31 PM
I'm not sure I'd attempt it without there being at least one Tech Priest handy :D

But would it make the knife I'm selling look more appealing to potential buyers :think:

Probably wouldn't make it more attractive but its a cool trick non the less :D
Life is like a sandwich...the older it gets the crustier it becomes!


gb Offline Mike, Lord of the Spammers!

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Re: Proof studying for my degree hasn't been a waste of time!
Reply #19 on: May 05, 2008, 12:01:37 AM
I'm not sure I'd attempt it without there being at least one Tech Priest handy :D

But would it make the knife I'm selling look more appealing to potential buyers :think:

Probably wouldn't make it more attractive but its a cool trick non the less :D
Damn, I was hoping it was my crappy pics that were putting people off :D
Give in, buy several Farmer's!!!!!!


england Offline Benner

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Re: Proof studying for my degree hasn't been a waste of time!
Reply #20 on: May 05, 2008, 12:04:58 AM
I'm not sure I'd attempt it without there being at least one Tech Priest handy :D

But would it make the knife I'm selling look more appealing to potential buyers :think:

Probably wouldn't make it more attractive but its a cool trick non the less :D
Damn, I was hoping it was my crappy pics that were putting people off :D

I'm surprised it hasn't been snapped up already.  I think it's sweet!  :drool:

If I hadn't invested in a certain SAK I would have been really tempted. :)
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gb Offline Mike, Lord of the Spammers!

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Re: Proof studying for my degree hasn't been a waste of time!
Reply #21 on: May 05, 2008, 12:07:14 AM
I'm not sure I'd attempt it without there being at least one Tech Priest handy :D

But would it make the knife I'm selling look more appealing to potential buyers :think:

Probably wouldn't make it more attractive but its a cool trick non the less :D
Damn, I was hoping it was my crappy pics that were putting people off :D

I'm surprised it hasn't been snapped up already.  I think it's sweet!  :drool:

If I hadn't invested in a certain SAK I would have been really tempted. :)
Well that'll teach you :twak:, by now you should of realized I'm always in need of cash :D
Give in, buy several Farmer's!!!!!!


england Offline Benner

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Re: Proof studying for my degree hasn't been a waste of time!
Reply #22 on: May 05, 2008, 12:09:27 AM
But it was too good to let go!  :D
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gb Offline Mike, Lord of the Spammers!

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Re: Proof studying for my degree hasn't been a waste of time!
Reply #23 on: May 05, 2008, 12:11:10 AM
But it was too good to let go!  :D
Can't argue with that!, but on the other hand, maybe it's time to for someone else to enjoy it :)
Give in, buy several Farmer's!!!!!!


 

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