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Question

Tool to selectively remove individual pieces from a jiogsaw puzzle photo

Forum|Forum|2 years ago
May 6, 2023
2 replies
2912 views

Is there a tool that can identify individual pieces from a completed jigsaw puzzle and then allow me to remove selected pieces leaving the remaining ones in place?

We have a number of high-end wooden jigsaw puzzles from Stave in Vermont. Each puzzle incorporates a number of "silhouettes" -- pieces cut to resemble characters from the puzzle subject. I'd like to make images of just the silhouettes.

Thanks

Windows

This topic has been closed for replies.

Chuck Uebele

Community Expert

Jane is correct. Photoshop should be the best tool for what you want to do, but there is no automatic feature for this. Using the pen tool to make a selection would be your best bet. It may seem daunting, but once you get the hang of the tool, you can make selections very quickly. I used to use it to isolate aircraft landing gear - lots of little detail. A puzzle piece would be a breeze.

P

PMossAuthor

Known Participant

Jane is correct. Photoshop should be the best tool for what you want to do, but there is no automatic feature for this.

Would one of the cheaper versions of Photoshop also work. I'll probably only do this a few times and may never use it again. As you have probably surmised, I am not a graphics person. 🤨😲

Using the pen tool to make a selection would be your best bet. It may seem daunting, but once you get the hang of the tool, you can make selections very quickly. I used to use it to isolate aircraft landing gear - lots of little detail. A puzzle piece would be a breeze.

A breeze for you, but maybe not for me. I don't have a touch screen, so I'd have to use some sort of mouse action.

I am running Office 365 on Windows 10.

jane-e

Community Expert

@PMoss

Ask around with your friends and family. Someone who already knows how to use the Pen tool might be willing to draw a few paths for you.

Jane

jane-e

Community Expert

@PMoss

We don't have enough information to answer your question:

Is the image a PSD, JPEG, AI, EPS, or ???
Are the "pieces" each on their own layer or all on one layer?
Are the "pieces" pixels or shapes?
Are you using Photoshop, Illustrator, another Adobe application, or is it a physical wooden puzzle (as you state)?

If it is electronic and not wooden, please show screenshots.

Jane

P

PMossAuthor

Known Participant

Sorry, I didn't know what you needed. Let me try again.

We own the puzzles. My plan is to put the puzzle together, then take a photo. So the photo can be whatever format you need (jpeg, etc.). If I can take ity with my iPhone, great. If not, I am willing to hire a professionhal photographer to take the photo.
It's a photo of the completed puzzle, so all one layer. Right?
The pieces are physical puzzle pieces. Here's an example from the Stave website. The cur lines are pretty clear in some parts and more onbscured in others.

I'll take a photo of one of our puzzles and upload that.

I don't have any graphics software. I am asking about capabilities so I can decide what to buy.

Any other questions?

I am running Office 365 on Windows 10.

jane-e

Community Expert

Hi @PMoss

Photoshop is an image editor, but it will not see individual pieces of the puzzle. It only sees pixels. You would need to learn how to use the Pen tool, then draw a path around each puzzle piece, convert it to a selection, and cut it to its own layer. It would be a daunting task for a beginner.

Photoshop has a 7-day free trial, or you can purchase a subscription with an annual commitment, payable at $9.99 monthly.

This is Photoshop forum. If you have questions about Office 365, you need to ask on the Microsoft forum.

Jane

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