How to create a transparent background in Photoshop – The background gives a stunning look to the photograph. But sometimes it useful to have no background. A picture with a transparent background is suitable for displaying the image. A transparent background picture ensures you a wide range of displaying an option to get more from that picture. Some many pages or websites are designed to change the background dynamically. For this type of page, a transparent background picture is ideal for displaying that features a photo. For e-commerce sites, transparent background photos are used to get focus on the product of the customers.
Transparent background photos are quite popular nowadays. In this part of Photoshop tricks and tips, we’ll share the process of creating a transparent background in Photoshop. Making the background transparent of a photo and saving the photo as a web-ready format is quite easy when you know how to do it. In this tutorial article, we’ll guide you through the process of making a transparent background photo.
Steps to create a transparent background in Photoshop
To create a transparent background, you need to follow some simple steps, and you can have your desired transparent background image on your hand. These are-
Step-1: Make your image into a layered file
Step-2: Create your selection
Step-3: Delete the background
Step-4: Save your image in the proper web-ready format
Step-5: Save your file
Step-1: Make your image into a layered file
Open the image whose background you want to be transparent. Your opened photo most likely be in JPG or Jpeg format. In this tutorial, we are using a photo of a wristwatch with a white background.
Now you need to open the panel, namely Layers. This panel is on the right side of the image window. But in case if you are not getting it, then you can open it from the drop-down menu, which is located on the top. Click window then a layer, or you can open it simply pressing F7 on your keyboard.
After opening the Layers panel, you’ll see a panel named ‘background‘. Double click on that panel. A new dialog box will open and will ask for name the layer. Keep this as ‘layer 0’ and click on ‘OK‘.
By clicking OK, you unlocked the background layer, and if you delete anything from the background, it will be transparent.Photoshop will attempt to select the object from your photograph, regardless of the background.
Step-2: Create your selection
On the left side of the image window, you’ll see some tool shortcuts. Select the tool, namely Magic Wand, from that. After clicking on the Magic wand, now click on Select Subject from the option bar, which is on the top of the image window. Photoshop will select the object that is on the photo. You can see the chosen parts as ‘dotted line’ on the photo.
Sometimes the selection is perfect, and sometimes it isn’t. If the selection does not seem, then you can further use the Magic wand tool to remove or add more selection on your image.
In our example, the A.I of Photoshop doesn’t select the areas correctly. The object shadow isn’t removed completely. To remove this unwanted area, we will use the Subtract from the option bar. Now click on the unwanted portion until the selection only contains all the areas you want.
When selecting, make sure you select just the area you want. In the product image, there can be any holes or other things that you do not want it. Make sure that those areas are not selected. In our image, such type of area is where the face of the watch meets the band of the watch.
Step 3: Delete the background
When you got selected all the areas you want, now you need to inverse the background. To do so, type SHIFT+CTRL+I on windows and SHIFT+COMMAND+I on a Mac. Or you can choose it by selecting Select option from application bar then inverse.
After doing that, you need to delete the background for that press BACKSPACE on windows and DELETE on a Mac. After clicking that, you will see the picture in a transparent background. Some may think that the photo is not with a transparent background. In Photoshop, they represent a transparent background with a checkerboard pattern.
Step-4: Save your image in the proper web-ready format
Once you make the background transparent successfully, you need to save the picture in a correct format to use it on websites. To display your images with a transparent background, you need to save it in a PNG-24 format. The format is best because it allows transparency of multiple layers. This means you can use this image with a different color background without facing any problem.
To save this file, select File > Export > Export As from the application window bar. A new dialog box will appeal, in that box, you’ll see file setting which is on the right of the box. Set the file format to PNG, and you also need to make sure that the transparency option is selected.
On the left side, you can see the predicted size of your image. It is good to save the image under 200Kb because a more significant image means it takes a long time to open a website. To make the image smaller, you need to adjust the dimensions of the picture. The smaller the size is, the smaller the picture will be. But do not make the image dimensions so small it can cause a blurred image.
You should save the image size 50% more that you wanted to show. For example, you want to show your picture at 400Px wide; then, you should save it at 600px on Photoshop.
Step 5: Save your file
Once you are done adjusting your image dimension, then it comes to saving the image. Click on Export All option on the dialog box and chose the folder you want to save it in. Give it a new name or select it on a different folder to avoid confusion about the image. Remove the file (aaa.png) and click save. You have the picture on your desired folder now with a transparent background.
Before and After Image
There are several benefits of using a transparent background in Photoshop:
Versatility in design: When you remove the background and make it transparent, you can place the subject of your image on any background, or even overlay it onto other images or designs. This gives you more flexibility and allows you to create composite images, collages, or integrate your design seamlessly into different contexts.
Seamless integration: Transparent backgrounds enable your design elements to blend smoothly with any background color or texture. This is particularly useful when creating graphics for websites, digital presentations, or print materials where you want your design to seamlessly merge with the surrounding content.
Professional appearance: By removing the background and using transparency, you can achieve a polished and professional look. This is especially important when designing logos, icons, or other graphics that need to be placed on various backgrounds without any visible edges or unwanted elements.
Emphasis on the subject: If you want to draw attention to a particular subject in your image, removing the background and using transparency can help eliminate distractions and focus the viewer’s attention solely on the main subject. This is particularly useful for product photography or when creating visual content for marketing materials.
File format compatibility: Transparent backgrounds are especially useful when working with file formats that support transparency, such as PNG (Portable Network Graphics). These file formats preserve the transparency information, allowing you to use your design in various digital mediums without the need for additional editing or adjustments.
Overall, using a transparent background in Photoshop provides you with increased design flexibility, seamless integration, a professional appearance, emphasis on the subject, and compatibility with different file formats.
Conclusion
Now you can place this picture where you want. It will fit perfectly on any background and will display the object correctly. Create a transparent background in Photoshop very quickly. Transparent background photos are suitable to display them on any site.
Final Word
In conclusion, the demand for transparent backgrounds in Photoshop services stems from the pivotal role they play in enhancing visual aesthetics and versatility across various design and creative endeavors. Transparent backgrounds offer a level of flexibility that is indispensable in modern graphic design, web development, marketing, and multimedia production. By removing the confines of solid backgrounds, transparent images seamlessly integrate into diverse settings, whether it’s a website, advertisement, presentation, or artistic composition.
The ability to isolate subjects or objects from their original backgrounds with precision grants designers the power to create compositions that are harmonious, engaging, and adaptable. Transparent backgrounds foster a sense of cohesion and integration, allowing graphics to interact seamlessly with different color schemes, layouts, and visual elements. This enhances the overall user experience and strengthens the impact of the visual content.
Moreover, transparent backgrounds facilitate the creation of versatile assets that can be effortlessly repurposed across multiple mediums and platforms. This adaptability saves time and resources while maintaining the quality and consistency of the visual content. Whether it’s designing logos, icons, product images, or marketing materials, the incorporation of transparent backgrounds empowers designers to cater to ever-evolving design requirements.
In a world where visual communication is paramount, the necessity for transparent backgrounds in Photoshop services becomes evident. They enable designers to transcend limitations and unlock the full potential of their creativity. With their ability to seamlessly integrate graphics into any context and adapt to changing design trends, transparent backgrounds stand as an essential tool that empowers designers to craft captivating visuals that leave a lasting impression.
How to create a transparent background in Photoshop?
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