How to use the Material Separation Photoshop Plugin
Updated: 02/27/2025
Display of material separation panel
Open the Material Separation panel by selecting the [Plugin] menu -> [Live2D Cubism Material Separation] -> [Material Separation].

Alternatively, it can be accessed via the [Plugin] panel -> [Live2D Cubism Material Separation].

Structure of the Material Separation Panel
The [Material Separation] plugin is displayed in a panel like the one shown below.

番号 | 名前 | 説明 |
---|---|---|
1 | Cut Out | You can cut out recognized objects from an image by specifying a selection range. |
2 | Transparency Fill | Specify a selection range to fill in the image |
3 | Create New Group | When executing [Cut Out] or [Fill], a new group is created, and layers are created within it. |
4 | Create New Masked Layer | When executing [Cut Out] or [Fill], layers are created with layer masks applied. |
5 | Fill Cut Out Area | When executing [Cut Out], a layer filled with the background is created below the cut-out layer. |
6 | Expand Cut Out Area | When executing [Cut Out], the cut-out area is expanded, and the selected object is cut out slightly larger. |
7 | Use GPU if possible | Processing will use the GPU if the environment supports it. |
8 | Menu button | Clicking [About] in the menu will display the [About] dialog, where you can check if the current processing device is the GPU or CPU. |
Cut Out and Fill:
The Material Separation plugin consists of two features: [Cut Out] and [Fill].
You need to specify a selection range before using them.
Specify a selection
Use tools like Photoshop’s selection tool to select the object you want to separate.
Below is an example where a selection range is specified to cut out a rabbit from a hat.

Tips
The selection needs to fall within a rectangle no larger than 4 million pixels.
Cut Out
Click [Cut Out] with a selection specified to cut out the image with anti-aliasing applied, recognizing the exact shape of the target.
The cut out result is created on a separate pixel layer from the original layer (source image).
Select | Cut out result |
---|---|
![]() | ![]() |
Tips
When “Cut Out” or “Fill” is executed, a new layer separate from the original layer is created.
During this process, the original layer name is inherited, and the function name is added to the layer name. Note: This also applies to group names.
Example:
Original layer name: “Original Drawing”
Created layer name: “Original Drawing Cut Out”
Plugin Options:
Since [Cut Out] by itself only separates the layers, setting the check box option improves usability.
Each function is explained below.
Create New Group
With the [Cut out in a new group] check box selected, click [Cut Out].
A new group will be created and the layer resulting from the cut out will be stored in it.
Select | Cut out result |
---|---|
![]() | ![]() |
Create New Masked Layer
With the [Create New Masked Layer] check box selected, click [Cut Out].
The cut out result is saved as a layer mask.
If you want to modify the result, for example, you can adjust it in the layer mask.
Select | Cut out result |
---|---|
![]() | ![]() |
Fill Cut Out Area
With the [Fill Cut Out Area] check box selected, click [Cut Out].
The cut out area will be filled out to blend in with its surroundings, creating the result as a pixel layer.
Select | Cut out result |
---|---|
![]() | ![]() |
Select | Color filled state |
---|---|
![]() | ![]() |
Expand Cut Out Area
With the [Expand Cut Out Area] check box selected, click [Cut Out].
The cut out area is expanded, and the selected object is cut out a little larger.
Note: This option is intended for the manual reduction process after cutting to a little larger size.
If you want automatic cutout with high accuracy, please do not set this option.
Select | Normal result | Expanded result |
---|---|---|
![]() | ![]() | ![]() |
Cut Out Multiple Layers & Groups
From beta1 onwards, the cut out and fill features can also be used on illustrations with a layer structure where lines, fills, and shadows are separated, in addition to single original drawings.
Example of Creation:
In the example below, suspenders are cut out from pants while the line and fill layers are separated.
(Note: The area outlined in red represents the suspenders.)

With the following plugin options checked, we will proceed to actually perform the cutout.
- Create layers within a new group
- Use layer masks
- Fill cutout area
Creation Steps:
- Specify the area you want to cut out with a selection range.
- Select the line and fill layers. (Selecting groups is also possible)
- Click the [Cut Out] option in the plugin.
- “Cut Out” and “Fill” will be created.
Specify Selection Range | Select Layer (A = Line, B = Fill) |
---|---|
![]() | ![]() |
Cutout Result | Created Group (C = Cut Out, D = Fill) |
---|---|
![]() | ![]() |
Tips
Selecting both lines and fills increases accuracy.
Structure of the Cut Out Group:
The cutout layer maintains the original group’s layer structure.
Depending on the “Create layers within a new group” option setting, the group structure will be as follows:
With Checkmark | Without Checkmark |
---|---|
![]() | ![]() |
A “Cut Out” and “Fill” group will be created at the same hierarchy level above the original group, and “Cut Out” and “Fill” layers will be created within them. | “Cut Out” and “Fill” layers will be created at the same hierarchy level above the original layer. |
Transparency Fill
Clicking [Transparency Fill] with a selection specified will fill the selected area.
The transparency fill result is saved in a separate pixel layer from the original layer.
[Transparency Fill] characteristics:
- The fill is applied to the “transparent area” within the selection.
- A pixel layer is created below the original layer.
Select | Transparency fill result |
---|---|
![]() | ![]() |
Select | Transparency filled state |
---|---|
![]() | ![]() |
Fill Multiple Layers & Groups
Example of Creation:
In the example below, the “skin” is filled while the lines and fills (clothing and skin) layers are separated.

With the following plugin options checked, we will proceed to actually fill.
- Create layers within the group
- Use layer masks
Creation Steps:
- Specify the area you want to fill by selecting it.
- Select the fill group (in the example below, “Skin”).
- Click the [Fill] option in the plugin.
- A [Fill] group will be created.

Tips
It is also possible to fill a clipping mask layer by itself; however, in that case, the [Create layers within a new group] option will be disabled and the layer will be created in a clipped state.
Structure of the Fill Group:
The filled layers maintain the original group’s layer structure.
Depending on the “Create layers within a new group” option setting, the group structure will be as follows.
With Checkmark | Without Checkmark |
---|---|
![]() | ![]() |
A “Fill” group will be created at the same hierarchy level below the original group, with “Fill” layers created within it. | “Fill” layers will be created at the same hierarchy level below the original layer. |
Tips
When multiple layers are clipped, only layers included within the specified selection range will be created.
In the image example below, as the fills for (A = Nose and Lips) are not drawn within the selection range of (B = Shoulder), the layers for the nose and lips are excluded.
