With paths, the contours of a subject are selected precisely so that the subject can be optimally separated from the rest of the image during further processing. By placing a path around an object, the subject and the environment are separated from each other. This technique is used with the pen tool and simply removes a subject from the background. Paths can also be saved within a file for cross-software processing. An inclusive path contains what is visually inside the path where an exclusive path contains what is visually outside the path. A compound path combines numerous paths. For a successful clipping path, the edges must be sharp and defined so the result is precise.