Free-form select

Free-Form Select (with synonyms) is a technique in printmaking, graphic design and image processing.

Result of a Free-Form Select

Original

Result

The effect is to erase background colors or elements from a motif to create stand-alone objects. Today, this is done with graphics software (computer graphics) and computers rather than by cutting away parts with scissors or scalpels.

Almost every modern graphics software includes this feature, such as CorelDRAW, Adobe Photoshop, GIMP, and Microsoft Paint. The motif which is to be cut-out freehanded is defined by a border path around the motif.

Coloring is a core motif in a black-and-white image.

Free-Form Select is also understood in coloring parts of a black-and-white images and vice versa. Coloring a single object within a black-and-white environment is sometimes called Sin City effect.

See also

• Chroma key
• Computer-aided design
• Cropping (image)
• Vignetting (scene setting in photography)