Gadgets: Delete background, change image composition with ease

Vertus software Bling! It and Fluid Mask 3 are designed to take backgrounds out of subjects with ease.

Bling! It is ideal for digital scrapbookers or even those selling products on eBay who will love the ease of the software, which works on both Windows and Mac operating systems.

Users can delete a background and change the composition of the images by adding or deleting objects and effects.

Removing a background can be a complicated step for most anyone, but after an edge is drawn around the main object in the image, a masking tool will take out the unwanted background. Several adjustments can be made to ensure deleting only what’s not wanted.

Photoshop can do most everything Bling! It can do, but for $49.95, it will cost a whole lot less if your needs are just working with these functions.

Professionals can use Fluid Mask 3 ($239) for more complex background removal from images, which can even include fine-tuning the removal of a background behind and around hair.

Other highlights include localized edge detection and blending, fast image processing and an in-application Tool Tips box, which has links to application-based xml help files and tutorials.

Fluid Mask 3 will work as a stand-alone program or as a plug-in with Photoshop CS2 and CS3.

Information: www.blingit.us, www.vertustech.com