Which is better, AI cutout or the pen tool?

It depends on the image. For portraits and products with clear edges, AI takes seconds; for hard edges or spots AI doesn't get clean, the pen gives precise control. You can combine them: AI first, then the pen or Quick Mask to fix up.

How do I cut out hair?

Try AI cutout first; for very fine hair or a busy background, use channels — find the channel where hair and background contrast most clearly, select from it, then refine with Quick Mask.

Is my image uploaded?

All of these methods run in your browser, including the AI cutout model, and your image is never sent to an AI service. While you're signed out the image doesn't leave your machine; once you sign in, the editor saves your work automatically to your own cloud projects.

How do I keep the transparent background?

Export a PNG to keep the transparency; to keep editing later, save a PSD and the mask is kept.

Pen tool & channel cutouts

Pick the method for your image: one-click AI for clear edges, the pen for hard edges, channels for hair. All processed in your browser.

or start a blank document

No single cutout method handles everything. One-click AI is fast and accurate for portraits and products with clear edges, but transparent glass, flyaway hair or an edge that matches the background need something more precise — which is exactly why Photoshop has pen and channel cutouts.

TutuEdit has all of these, working the Photoshop way: the pen tool (P) draws a path you turn into a selection, the Channels panel gives you the channel with the clearest contrast to select from, Color Range picks a whole area of colour at once, and Quick Mask (Q) lets you refine the edge with a brush. The table below helps you choose.

Choose by your image

Your image	Use	Why
Clear edges: portraits, products	AI cutout	One click, the model runs in your browser; it downloads about 100MB the first time, and your browser caches it after that
Hard edges, regular shapes: furniture, electronics, logos	Pen tool	The path can be adjusted again and again for a crisp edge
Hair, fur, semi-transparent: veils, smoke	Channels	Uses light–dark contrast to keep the fine detail
Plain or simple background	Color Range / magic wand	One click selects the whole background
Almost there, edges need touching up	Quick Mask	Paint the edge in or out with a brush and see exactly what you get

Key features

AI cutout

Open the image, press «AI smart cutout», check the edge, and refine with Quick Mask if needed.

Pen tool cutout

Press P and click a path along the edge, press Ctrl+Enter to turn it into a selection, then make a mask from the selection.

Channel cutout

In the Channels panel, find the channel with the clearest contrast between subject and background, and build a clean black-and-white selection from it.

Color Range / magic wand

Use «Select › Color Range…» or click the background with the magic wand, adjust the tolerance, then invert to get the subject.

Quick Mask

Press Q to enter Quick Mask, paint to add to or remove from the selection, then press Q again to leave.

How to use

1
Open the image

Drag it in or click to choose; the cutout is computed in your browser.
2
Pick a method from the table

Try one-click AI first for clear edges; switch to the pen or channels if it isn't enough.
3
Export

Export a PNG with a transparent background, or save a PSD to keep the mask for later.

FAQ

Which is better, AI cutout or the pen tool?: It depends on the image. For portraits and products with clear edges, AI takes seconds; for hard edges or spots AI doesn't get clean, the pen gives precise control. You can combine them: AI first, then the pen or Quick Mask to fix up.
How do I cut out hair?: Try AI cutout first; for very fine hair or a busy background, use channels — find the channel where hair and background contrast most clearly, select from it, then refine with Quick Mask.
Is my image uploaded?: All of these methods run in your browser, including the AI cutout model, and your image is never sent to an AI service. While you're signed out the image doesn't leave your machine; once you sign in, the editor saves your work automatically to your own cloud projects.
How do I keep the transparent background?: Export a PNG to keep the transparency; to keep editing later, save a PSD and the mask is kept.

Try Pen tool & channel cutouts now

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