Cut Out Objects with the Pen Tool in Photoshop
The Pen Tool offers unmatched control for clean, professional cutouts. You’ll trace your subject with smooth curves, load the path as a selection, and output to a layer mask for a non-destructive result. Finally, you’ll export a PNG with transparency.
Step-by-step instructions
Duplicate and protect the original
Open your image (File → Open).
In the Layers panel, drag the Background layer to the Create a New Layer icon to duplicate it.
Click the eye icon on the original Background to hide it.
Select the Pen Tool
Choose the Pen Tool from the toolbar (workspace: Essentials).
Zoom in on the object you want to cut out.
Trace the object with smooth curves
Click to place your first anchor point (start at a corner).
Click and drag to place the next point on the same curve; drag handles to match the contour.
Use Alt/Option to adjust handle directions; use Ctrl/Cmd to move a point if needed.
Continue around the object and click the first point to close the path.
Turn the path into a selection
Open Window → Paths to show the Paths panel.
Ctrl/Cmd-click the Work Path thumbnail to load it as a selection.
Refine and output to a mask
Go to Select → Select and Mask.
Add a slight Feather to soften edges; refine as needed.
In Output Settings, set Output To → Layer Mask and click OK.
Export a transparent PNG
Go to File → Export → Export As.
Set Format: PNG and adjust image size if needed.
Click Export, then name and save your file.
