Manual vs. Automated Tools to Remove Image Backgrounds – Simple Shaped Object on Single Color Contrasting Background
Simple Shaped Object
Single Color Contrasting Background:
We selected a simple shaped object. It was a bag with a single color contrasting background. It is a little bit tough to remove the background because of its numerous curves, holes, shadow.
We tried to remove the background of the photo at autoclipping.com. We used their tools to select the object and the background. The tools couldn’t edit the photo as we needed. They failed to refine the edge. Somewhere it clipped far inside the photo and there were many parts where the tool failed to remove the background. The defect was acute in the curved areas. It couldn’t keep product shadow and looked unnatural.
Score for Auto Clipping: 49%
Breakdown:
| Performance Fields | Marks |
|---|---|
| Working with Soft Edges | 4% |
| Work on Curved Areas | 4% |
| Work on Shadows | 3% |
| Maintain Image Resolution | 5% |
| Time it take | 10% |
| Work on Holes | 4% |
| Re-utilization benefit | 0% |
| Securing subject pixel | 5% |
| Background Color on Subject | 4% |
| Skills Required for Editing | 10% |
| Total | 49.00% |
In number two, we tried to do the same task in Background Burner. The tool also fails to cut background properly. Look at the image, it almost ruins the handle and zipper. In the curve areas, the result is awkward. It is too much unprofessional and not suitable for ecommerce showcase.
Score for Background Burner: 57%
Breakdown:
| Performance Fields | Marks |
|---|---|
| Working with Soft Edges | 6% |
| Work on Curved Areas | 6% |
| Work on Shadows | 4% |
| Maintain Image Resolution | 6% |
| Time it take | 10% |
| Work on Holes | 5% |
| Re-utilization benefit | 0% |
| Securing subject pixel | 7% |
| Background Color on Subject | 5% |
| Skills Required for Editing | 8% |
| Total | 57.00% |
Then we edited the photo in clippingmasic.com. This tool also frustrated us. In some places, it cut the background with some parts of the main object. It tried to keep shadow childishly and ruin the photo resolution a little bit.
Score for Clippingmagic: 51%
Breakdown:
| Performance Fields | Marks |
|---|---|
| Working with Soft Edges | 4% |
| Work on Curved Areas | 4% |
| Work on Shadows | 5% |
| Maintain Image Resolution | 6% |
| Time it take | 8% |
| Work on Holes | 4% |
| Re-utilization benefit | 0% |
| Securing subject pixel | 5% |
| Background Color on Subject | 5% |
| Skills Required for Editing | 10% |
| Total | 51.00% |
Anyway, at last we tried manual photoshop background removing technique. It generated the best result. Check the photo above, you can see why we are satisfied with the manual editing. It has removed the background perfectly without compromising with quality. Its zipper, handle, curve areas, etc. are looking great and professional.
Score for Manual Photo Editing: 72%
Breakdown:
| Performance Fields | Marks |
|---|---|
| Working with Soft Edges | 8% |
| Work on Curved Areas | 9% |
| Work on Shadows | 8% |
| Maintain Image Resolution | 8% |
| Time it take | 2% |
| Work on Holes | 9% |
| Re-utilization benefit | 10% |
| Securing subject pixel | 8% |
| Background Color on Subject | 8% |
| Skills Required for Editing | 2% |
| Total | 72.00% |
| Object | Background | Manual | AC | BB | CM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Simple Shaped Object | Single Color Contrasting Background | 72% | 49% | 57% | 51% |
Conclusion: The Automated Background Removing Tools did not fail entirely this time, but were far from the quality that manual editing can provide. Only the proper quality product photos are suitable for eCommerce or any business.
| Background Color | Subject Types |
|---|---|
| Single Color Contrasting Background | Basic-shaped object Simple-shaped object Compound-shaped object Complex-shaped object Group Shot |
| Single Color Contrasting Gradient Background | Basic-shaped object Simple-shaped object Compound-shaped object Complex-shaped object Group Shot |
| Multi-Color Contrasting Live Background | Basic-shaped object Simple-shaped object Compound-shaped object Complex-shaped object Group Shot |
| Single & Same or Similar Color Background | Basic-shaped object Simple-shaped object Compound-shaped object Complex-shaped object Group Shot |
| Single & Same or Similar Color Gradient Background | Basic-shaped object Simple-shaped object Compound-shaped object Complex-shaped object Group Shot |
| Single & Same or Similar Multi-Color Background | Basic-shaped object Simple-shaped object Compound-shaped object Complex-shaped object Group Shot |
| Special Case: | Transparent Subject, Translucent Subject, Blurry Background |
Learn More Resource: how to make background transparent in photoshop
