Lasso and quick selection: how to make precise photo cutouts

Automatic background removal handles most photos. But there is always that tricky image: a person wearing the same color as the background, an object with holes, a group where you only want one person. For those cases, Editor de Vídeo Online's Paper effect has two Photoshop-inspired tools: the Lasso and Quick selection. Here is how to make a precise photo cutout with them.

When to switch to manual cutouts

• Auto detect grabbed parts of the background or cut parts of the person.
• You want just one person from a group photo.
• The object has straight edges or geometric shapes (the lasso is ideal).
• There is low contrast between person and background.

To understand the automatic methods first, see how to remove a photo background.

Tool 1: Lasso

Drawing the outline

1. Choose Lasso.
2. Hold the mouse button and trace around the person or object.
3. Near the starting point, the line turns green with the message "release to close".
4. When you release, the area is selected with marching lines and the Lasso closed bar appears.

Editing points

When closed, the lasso becomes an outline with small square points, like Photoshop's pen paths:

Applying

In the Lasso closed bar, choose:

• Replace: the new selection replaces the previous one.
• + Add: adds to the current selection.
• − Subtract: removes from the current selection.

Click Apply cutout (or press Enter). Esc cancels. Shortcuts: hold Shift when you start drawing to add; Alt to subtract.

After applying, Edit points brings back the last outline so you can adjust it again (Cancel or Esc keeps the previous cutout). The cutout follows the drawn line exactly, with smoothed curves.

Tool 2: Quick selection

It works like Photoshop's quick selection:

1. Choose Quick selection.
2. Paint over what you want to keep. The selection snaps to edges on its own.
3. When you release the mouse, it grows into neighboring areas of the same color.
4. Hold Alt (or use − Subtract) to remove areas.
5. Adjust Precision to make pieces smaller and more detailed.

Tool 3: Erase and Restore brushes

For finishing:

• Erase removes leftover bits of background.
• Restore brings back parts that disappeared (hair tips, fingers).

Combine them with Undo (Ctrl+Z), Clear selection and Select all.

Which tool to use

A practical workflow for a tough cutout

1. Run Auto detect or Remove with AI for a starting point.
2. Use the lasso with − Subtract to remove large leftover background areas.
3. Use Quick selection with Alt to clean medium regions.
4. Finish with Erase and Restore on the details.
5. Drag the preview line to compare before and after.
6. Add the paper border (see the paper effect) and save a PNG or send it to the collage.

Frequently asked questions

Does the lasso work with a drawing tablet?

Yes. The lasso follows the cursor, so a pen and tablet work just like a mouse.

Can I edit the points again after applying?

Yes. Click Edit points to return to the last outline and adjust it.

Do manual cutouts work offline?

Yes. Lasso, Quick selection and the brushes work fully offline. Learn more in privacy and offline use.

Conclusion

With an editable-point lasso and quick selection, even the hardest photos get a clean cutout — without leaving the browser. Start with the automatic tools and use the manual ones for finishing. Make your cutout in Editor de Vídeo Online.