Silo or Cut-Out? HELP

[Larmiller]

Though the pen tool cut-out technique is used industry wide - what IS the correct professional term for it?

I've heard it called "Cut-out", Silo, Knock-out, and a few other terms I can't remember off hand but all are refering to the same technique - path made around object and delete background (maybe add a little shadow). This has been bugging me for a while so I thought I'd turn to y'all for your 2 cents.

[Etheryte]

A professional term? Honestly, that's the first time anyone has asked me anything along those lines and frankly - I don't have a clue.
There really are no actual industry-wide standards on how to call a technique at this moment, as far as I recall.

[igjoe]

I haven't heard of a universal term for that either. As long as you describe it in a way that people understand anything could work.

[Larmiller]

Well, here's the reason for the question.
I do this kind of graphic work for my employer and have decided to start a side job. SEO is huge for a website but if I don't know what to call it - or my website for that matter - I'm stuck before I started.

[igjoe]

so you want to name your site after that specific technique?

[Larmiller]

It was a thought. But the more I'm looking into it there seems to be a confusion to what the process is called even amoungst professionals. So....... <sigh> How will I get people to find me/the service if there isn't a well known term for it ~

More brain storming required.

[igjoe]

well my advice would be to either call the technique "cut-out" or "extracting"

My thinking behind this is that if you are doing this for a service, people won't care whether or not you are using the pen tool to "cut-out" or "extract" a piece of their image. They just care that it gets done. Those two words are simple and to the point. And since there isn't a name that everyone knows for that technique, your best way to go is to simplify your terms.

[Larmiller]

Good point

Thank you much!