Topaz ReMask 5 Review

Walkthrough

This walkthrough demonstrates the strengths and weaknesses using ReMask, where I transform JIngo from a shaggy dog to a rock star.  I began with a good image of my dog in the park. Could I convert this image and make him appear like a rock star?

That was the challenge I set myself. It took me about four hours to get there.

Initial load shows Jingo with everything to be kept via the Green TriMap.

Blue brush is used to outline Jingo

Now we use the red fill to discard all the non-Jingo elements

Now we go to dual view and opt for a "keep" view with transparent background.

I chose an orange instead of transparent background for a better view

Close up at 200% I could see grass and hair were embedded as part of the mask. Yikes!

After about another two hours using the colour brush, I got there. Sort of.

After futzing with the background Jingo makes his rock star entrance.

I liked being able to blur and desaturate the background. But it's hardly professional level.

One issue was how do I replace the missing shadow in ReMask? Shadows often make the difference between a credible and poor composite. The answer is that has to be done in another program like Photoshop or something with layers. Doh. Perhaps I could go back and keep the grassy shadow make it a bit transparent?

ReMask, within its limitations, works well, provided you manage its learning curve and are prepared for  a few false starts along the way.

Masking requires planning, judgment and finessing. This means investing your personal time to refine your mask. That said, the program does grow on you, especially with less irksome masking challenges.

ReMask tools are promising and impressive. But it requires a lot from you. I would recommend viewing its excellent video tutorial for its earlier version ReMask 4.

It lasts for over an hour, but it's a great time saver as you negotiate its learning curve and embrace the art and craft of ReMask.