The invention relates to a method for identifying and extracting images of one or more users in an interactive environment comprising the steps of: —obtaining a depth map (7) of a scene in the form of an array of depth values, and an image (8) of said scene in the form of a corresponding array of pixel values, said depth map (7) and said image (8) being registered; applying a coordinate transformation to said depth map (7) and said image (8) for obtaining a corresponding array (15) containing the 3D positions in a real-world coordinates system and pixel values points; —grouping said points according to their relative positions, by using a clustering process (18) so that each group contains points that are in the same region of space and correspond to a user location (19); —defining individual volumes of interest (20) each corresponding to one of said user locations (19); —selecting, from said array (15) containing the 3D positions and pixel values, the points located in said volumes of interest for obtaining segmentation masks (35) for each user; —applying said segmentation masks (35) to said image (8) for extracting images of said users. The invention also relates to a method for recognizing gestures of said users.