In today’s digital world, transparency is a highly valued feature, especially when it comes to graphics and images. Whether you want to remove the background of a photo or create a logo with a transparent background, Adobe Photoshop offers powerful tools to help you achieve this. In this blog post, we will guide you step-by-step on how to make the background transparent in Photoshop.
Step 1: Familiarize Yourself with the Background Eraser Tool
The Background Eraser Tool is a powerful feature in Adobe Photoshop that allows you to remove the background from an image and make it transparent. Before diving into the process, it’s important to familiarize yourself with the tool and its capabilities. Here’s an overview of the Background Eraser Tool:
Function: The Background Eraser Tool is specifically designed to remove the background from an image while preserving the foreground subject. It intelligently samples the colors of the background and erases them, leaving the subject intact.
Tool Location: In Adobe Photoshop, you can find the Background Eraser Tool in the Tools panel, which is typically located on the left side of the screen. The tool icon resembles an eraser with a small circle overlaid on it.
Brush Options: The Background Eraser Tool allows you to customize the brush size, hardness, and shape. You can adjust these settings in the tool options bar at the top of the screen to match the needs of your image.
Sampling Options: The tool offers sampling options that determine how it selects and erases the background colors. These options include Continuous, Once, and Background Swatch, each with its own behavior and level of control.
Limits Options: The limits options control the tool’s sensitivity to edges and transitions between colors. They include Discontiguous, Contiguous, and Find Edges, allowing you to define how strictly or loosely the tool erases the background.
Tolerance: The tolerance setting determines the range of color values that will be affected by the eraser tool. Higher tolerance values allow for a broader range of colors to be erased, while lower values limit the erasing to colors closely matching the sampled color.
Additional Features: Photoshop provides additional features and options to enhance your background removal process, such as overlays, guides, and the ability to create layer masks for non-destructive editing.
By understanding the capabilities and options of the Background Eraser Tool, you can effectively utilize it to make the background transparent in your images. Now that you’re familiar with the tool, you can proceed to Step 2 and open your image in Adobe Photoshop.
Step 2: Open Your Image in Adobe Photoshop
To begin the process of making the background transparent in Photoshop, you need to open the image you want to work on. Follow these steps to open your image:
Launch Adobe Photoshop: Locate the Adobe Photoshop application on your computer and open it by clicking on its icon. The application may take a few moments to load.
Go to the “File” Menu: In the top menu bar of Photoshop, click on the “File” menu. A dropdown menu will appear.
Select “Open”: From the dropdown menu, select the “Open” option. This will open a file browser window.
Locate and Select Your Image: In the file browser window, navigate to the location where your image is stored. Click on the image file to select it.
Click “Open”: Once you have selected your image file, click the “Open” button in the file browser window. Photoshop will open your image and display it in the workspace.
Assess the Image: After opening your image, take a moment to assess it and determine the complexity of the background you want to make transparent. This will help you plan your approach and choose the appropriate tools and techniques.
By following these steps, you have successfully opened your image in Adobe Photoshop. Now you can proceed to Step 3 and select the Background Eraser Tool to begin the process of making the background transparent.
Step 3: Select the Background Eraser Tool
After opening your image in Adobe Photoshop, the next step is to select the Background Eraser Tool. This tool allows you to erase the background while preserving the foreground subject. Follow these steps to select the Background Eraser Tool:
Open the Tools Panel: Locate the Tools panel, usually positioned on the left side of the Photoshop workspace. If you can’t find it, go to the “Window” menu and select “Tools” to make it visible.
Find the Eraser Tool: In the Tools panel, you will see various icons representing different tools. Look for the Eraser Tool, which resembles a pink eraser. It is often the default tool displayed in the Tools panel. If you don’t see it, right-click on the eraser icon and a dropdown menu will appear.
Select the Background Eraser Tool: From the dropdown menu, choose the Background Eraser Tool. It may be nested under the Eraser Tool, so make sure to select the appropriate option. Alternatively, you can press Shift+E on your keyboard to cycle through the eraser tools until you reach the Background Eraser Tool.
Adjust the Brush Size: At the top of the screen, you’ll find the tool options bar for the Background Eraser Tool. One of the essential options is the brush size. The brush size determines the area that will be erased with each stroke. If you’re working on a detailed image, choose a smaller brush size for precision. For larger areas, you may want to use a larger brush size to cover more ground. You can adjust the brush size by clicking on the brush icon in the options bar and using the slider or entering a specific value.
Adjust Sampling and Limits: The Background Eraser Tool offers additional options for sampling and limits, which control how the tool samples colors and determines what to erase. These options are located in the tool options bar and can be adjusted according to your needs and the complexity of the background. Sampling options include Continuous, Once, and Background Swatch, while limits options include Discontiguous, Contiguous, and Find Edges. Experiment with these settings to find the best combination for your specific image.
By selecting the Background Eraser Tool and adjusting the brush size, sampling, and limits options, you are now ready to proceed to Step 4 and prepare the image by creating a new layer to work on.
Step 4: Prepare the Image and Create a New Layer
Before using the Background Eraser Tool, it’s important to prepare your image and create a new layer to work on. Follow these steps to prepare your image:
Open the Image: Launch Adobe Photoshop and open the image you want to remove the background from. To open an image, go to the “File” menu, select “Open,” and navigate to the location of your image file. Click “Open” to load the image into Photoshop.
Duplicate the Background Layer: In the Layers panel, locate the Background layer and right-click on it. Select “Duplicate Layer” from the context menu that appears. This will create a duplicate of the original image layer, allowing you to work non-destructively.
Name the New Layer: Double-click on the name of the duplicated layer in the Layers panel and give it a meaningful name, such as “Background Erase” or “Subject Layer.” Naming the layers helps to keep your workflow organized and allows you to easily identify and differentiate between different layers.
Reorder the Layers: In the Layers panel, ensure that the duplicated layer is positioned above the original Background layer. This is important because the Background Eraser Tool works on the currently selected layer, and having the duplicate layer on top will allow you to erase the background while preserving the original image on the bottom layer.
Lock the Original Background Layer: To avoid accidentally making changes to the original background layer, it’s a good practice to lock it. Click on the small lock icon beside the Background layer in the Layers panel to lock it. This will prevent any modifications to the layer, ensuring that your original image remains intact.
Create a Layer Mask (Optional): If you want to retain the ability to bring back parts of the erased background later, you can create a layer mask. With the duplicated layer selected, click on the “Add Layer Mask” button at the bottom of the Layers panel. This will add a layer mask linked to the layer, allowing you to paint on it with black or white to hide or reveal parts of the layer respectively.
By following these steps, you have prepared your image and created a new layer to work on. This ensures that you can work non-destructively and preserve the original image while making changes to the background. Now you’re ready to proceed to Step 5 and adjust the tool options for the Background Eraser Tool.
Step 5: Adjust the Tool Options
In this step, we will explore the various tool options available for the Background Eraser Tool in Photoshop. These options allow you to customize the behavior of the tool to achieve the desired results. Here’s how you can adjust the tool options:
Select the Background Eraser Tool: In the toolbar on the left side of the screen, locate and select the Background Eraser Tool. If you can’t find it, right-click on the Eraser Tool and choose the Background Eraser Tool from the dropdown menu.
Set the Brush Size: At the top of the screen, you’ll find the tool options bar for the Background Eraser Tool. One of the essential options is the brush size. The brush size determines the area that will be erased with each stroke. If you’re working on a detailed image, choose a smaller brush size for precision. For larger areas, you may want to use a larger brush size to cover more ground. You can adjust the brush size by clicking on the brush icon in the options bar and using the slider or entering a specific value.
Sampling Options: The Sampling option in the tool options bar allows you to control how the tool samples colors from the image. The three sampling options are Continuous, Once, and Background Swatch.
Background Swatch: This option samples colors based on the color under the crosshair in the options bar. It continuously erases colors similar to the background swatch color within the brush area.
Limits Options: The Limits option determines how strict or lenient the tool should be in erasing based on the sampled colors. The three options are Discontiguous, Contiguous, and Find Edges.
Discontiguous: This option allows the tool to erase colors wherever they fall within the brush area. It doesn’t consider the continuity or connection of colors and erases them independently.
Contiguous: This option limits erasing to areas of similar color connected to where you first click. It erases colors that are contiguous or adjacent to the sampled color within the brush area.
Find Edges: This option erases up to the edge of the subject. It detects and follows the edges of the subject, erasing up to the detected edges within the brush area.
Tolerance: The Tolerance option determines the range of color values that will be affected by the eraser tool. A higher tolerance value allows a broader range of colors to be erased, while a lower tolerance value limits the erasing to colors that closely match the sampled color. Adjust the tolerance value based on the complexity and variation of the background.
Protect Foreground Color: This option, when enabled, preserves the foreground color from being erased by the tool. If there are areas in your image that have a similar color to the background and you want to protect them, enable this option.
By adjusting these tool options, you can fine-tune the behavior of the Background Eraser Tool to match the specific requirements of your image. Experiment with different brush sizes, sampling options, limits options, and tolerance values to achieve the best results. Remember to save your progress regularly to avoid losing any changes.
Step 6: Start Erasing the Background
Once you have selected the Background Eraser Tool and adjusted the tool options, you are ready to begin erasing the background. Follow these steps to effectively remove the background from your image:
Select the Background Eraser Tool: In the toolbar on the left side of the screen, locate and select the Background Eraser Tool. If you can’t find it, right-click on the Eraser Tool and choose the Background Eraser Tool from the dropdown menu.
Adjust the Brush Size: At the top of the screen, you’ll find the tool options bar for the Background Eraser Tool. Set the brush size according to your needs. The brush size determines the area that will be erased with each stroke. If you’re working on a detailed image, choose a smaller brush size for precision. For larger areas, you may want to use a larger brush size to cover more ground. You can adjust the brush size by clicking on the brush icon in the options bar and using the slider or entering a specific value.
Adjust Sampling and Limits: The Sampling and Limits options in the tool options bar allow you to control how the tool samples colors and determines what to erase.
Sampling: This option defines how the tool samples colors from the image. The three sampling options are Continuous, Once, and Background Swatch. Continuous sampling continuously samples colors as you drag the tool, Once samples colors only when you first click, and Background Swatch samples colors based on the color under the crosshair in the options bar. It’s recommended to use Continuous or Once for most cases.
Limits: The Limits option determines how strict or lenient the tool should be in erasing based on the sampled colors. The three options are Discontiguous, Contiguous, and Find Edges. Discontiguous allows the tool to erase colors wherever they fall within the brush area, Contiguous limits erasing to areas of similar color connected to where you first click, and Find Edges erases up to the edge of the subject. The best option to choose depends on the complexity of the background and subject. Experiment with these options to achieve the desired result.
Erase the Background: With the Background Eraser Tool selected and the brush size, sampling, and limits adjusted, you can start erasing the background. Click and drag the cursor over the areas you want to make transparent. As you drag, the tool will automatically erase the colors within the brush area based on the selected limits. Be mindful of the edges of the subject and try to follow them as closely as possible. Avoid going too close to the subject to prevent accidentally erasing important parts.
Take Breaks and Zoom In: Erasing a complex background can be time-consuming and require attention to detail. If you’re working on a large image or intricate areas, take breaks to rest your eyes and maintain focus. Additionally, consider zooming in on specific areas to ensure accuracy and precision. You can zoom in by selecting the Zoom Tool from the toolbar or by pressing Z on your keyboard. Click on the areas you want to magnify, and use the scroll wheel or the zoom controls at the bottom of the toolbar to adjust the zoom level.
Adjust Brush Size and Settings as Needed: Throughout the process, you may encounter areas that require a smaller or larger brush size to erase effectively. Feel free to adjust the brush size as needed using the options bar. You can also experiment with different sampling and limits options to find the most suitable settings for each area of the background.
Refine the Erased Areas: After erasing most of the background, you may notice some areas that still need refinement. In Step 7, we’ll cover techniques to refine the edges and ensure a clean, precise result. But before moving on to refining the edges, let’s continue with Step 6 and complete the process of erasing the background. Here are the remaining steps:
Erase Carefully: As you continue erasing the background, pay close attention to the areas around the subject. Take your time and make precise movements to avoid accidentally erasing parts of the subject. If you make a mistake, you can always use the Undo command (Ctrl+Z or Command+Z on Mac) to revert to the previous state.
Adjust Sampling and Limits: Depending on the complexity of the background and the subject, you may need to experiment with different sampling and limits options. If you encounter areas where the tool is not erasing as expected, try adjusting the sampling and limits to achieve better results. For example, if the tool is erasing too much of the subject, you can switch to a stricter limit option like Contiguous or Find Edges.
Use Overlays and Guides: Photoshop provides useful visual aids that can help you in the process of erasing the background. One such aid is the Overlay option, which displays a red overlay on the areas that will be erased. This can help you identify which parts of the image are being affected as you drag the tool. You can enable the Overlay option by checking the “Overlay” box in the tool options bar. Additionally, you can use guides, such as rulers or grid lines, to align the subject or ensure straight edges.
Check for Consistency: While erasing the background, regularly zoom out and view the image at its full size to check for consistency. Look for any remaining areas of the background that might need attention or refinement. It’s important to maintain a consistent level of transparency throughout the image.
Save Your Progress: To avoid losing your work, it’s recommended to save your progress regularly. Use the “Save” option under the “File” menu or the shortcut Ctrl+S (Command+S on Mac) to save your image in the Photoshop format (.PSD). This way, you can continue editing the image later without losing any of the layers or adjustments.
Once you have completed the process of erasing the background, you can proceed to Step 7: Refine the Edges, where we will cover techniques to ensure a clean and precise result.
Step 7: Refine the Edges
After using the Background Eraser Tool to erase most of the background, it’s common to encounter areas where the tool has also erased parts of the subject or left behind unwanted artifacts. In this step, we will explore techniques to refine the edges and ensure a clean, precise result. Follow these steps to refine the edges of your image:
Switch to the Regular Eraser Tool: In the toolbar on the left side of the screen, locate and select the Eraser Tool. It looks like a pink eraser. Alternatively, you can press E on your keyboard to quickly switch to the Eraser Tool.
Adjust the Brush Settings: At the top of the screen, you’ll find the tool options bar for the Eraser Tool. Adjust the brush size according to the level of detail you want to work with. A smaller brush size is ideal for fine-tuning small areas, while a larger brush size is suitable for broader adjustments.
Soften the Brush Edge: To create smoother transitions between the erased background and the subject, it’s recommended to use a soft-edged brush. In the tool options bar, locate the brush hardness setting and decrease it to achieve a softer edge. Alternatively, you can right-click anywhere on the canvas to access a contextual menu with brush hardness options.
Carefully Erase or Restore: With the Eraser Tool and the appropriate brush settings selected, carefully erase any remaining background areas that the Background Eraser Tool might have missed. Pay close attention to the edges and make gentle strokes to avoid unintentionally erasing parts of the subject. If you accidentally erase something you didn’t intend to, you can switch to the Brush Tool and paint with white to restore the erased areas.
Zoom In for Precision: When working on intricate areas or detailed edges, it’s often helpful to zoom in on the image for better precision. You can zoom in by selecting the Zoom Tool from the toolbar or by pressing Z on your keyboard. Click on the areas you want to magnify, and use the scroll wheel or the zoom controls at the bottom of the toolbar to adjust the zoom level.
Review and Adjust: After refining the edges, take a step back and review your image. Zoom out to see the overall result. If you notice any imperfections or areas that need further refinement, go back to using the Background Eraser Tool or the Eraser Tool to make necessary adjustments. It’s a process of trial and error, so don’t hesitate to experiment and refine until you achieve the desired outcome.
Remember to save your progress periodically so that you can always go back to previous versions if needed. Once you are satisfied with the refined edges, you can proceed to Step 8 and check the transparency of your image.
By following these steps, you’ll be able to effectively refine the edges of your image and ensure a clean, professional-looking result with a transparent background.
Step 8: Check the Transparency
To ensure that you have successfully made the background transparent, it’s important to check the transparency of your image. Here’s how you can do it:
Create a New Layer: In order to see the transparency, we’ll create a new layer below the image layer. In the Layers panel, click on the “Create a new layer” button at the bottom. This new layer will act as a background for testing the transparency.
Fill the New Layer: With the new layer selected, choose a solid color that contrasts with the image. You can do this by selecting the Paint Bucket Tool from the toolbar on the left side of the screen. Then, pick a color from the color swatches or use the Eyedropper Tool to sample a color from your image. Click within the new layer to fill it with the selected color.
Arrange the Layers: In the Layers panel, make sure the image layer is above the new colored background layer. This way, the transparency of the image will be visible against the solid color.
Check the Result: Take a moment to observe the image and see if the background is successfully removed and replaced with transparency. The solid color should show through the areas where you erased the background using the Background Eraser Tool. If you notice any remaining background or unwanted artifacts, you can go back to Step 7 and refine the edges further.
Step 9: Save the Image
Once you are satisfied with the background transparency, it’s time to save your image. Here’s how you can do it:
Go to “File” in the menu bar and select “Save As.”
Choose the Image Format: In the Save As dialog box, choose the desired image format that supports transparency. The recommended format is PNG (Portable Network Graphics) as it retains the transparency information. You can select PNG from the format dropdown menu.
Set the File Name and Location: Give your image a meaningful name and choose a location on your computer to save it. It’s best to create a new folder specifically for your edited images to keep them organized.
Click “Save” to save the image with the transparent background.
Congratulations! By following the steps outlined in this guide, you have successfully learned how to make the background transparent in Photoshop. By using the Background Eraser Tool and checking the transparency, you can now create images with clean, transparent backgrounds. This opens up a world of possibilities for integrating your images into various designs and projects. Remember to experiment with different tool settings and practice to achieve the desired result. Also know about Fashion Retouching!