(Step by Step) How to Make Background Transparent in Photoshop

 [2 Methods] How to Make a Background Transparent in Photoshop

Let us look at two methods to make the background transparent in Photoshop. Number one is an automatic approach that is easy to implement and takes very little time. But has a chance of failing if you apply it to make the background transparent of a detailed image. To compensate for that inconvenience, you can follow the manual approach.

By using the Remove Background Tool

Step 01 Open the image in Photoshop.

Step 02 Create a duplicate of that image in a new layer. To select the image, press Ctrl+A, copy the image by pressing Ctrl+C, and paste it into a new layer by pressing Ctrl+V. A new layer will appear in the Layer's palette.

Step 03 Go through the Layer's Pallete and select the Background Layer. Look to the left at the eye icon. Clicking it will hide the Layer chosen from view. The image canvas will not change because a duplicate layer is on top of it.

Step 04 Look to the right at the Properties Palette. Under the Quick Actions heading, click on 'Remove Background.'

Step 05 The selected image will appear in front of a checkerboard pattern. This is how to add a transparent background in Photoshop.

Step 06 Finally, save the file as a Photoshop (PSD) or PNG file. After you export your file, you will view the image with preserved transparency.

Removing the Background Manually

Step 01 Removing background from its image means outlining the subject's edges to differentiate it from the background. Photoshop provides many outlining tools for making a background transparent in Photoshop. The first step is to unlock your background layer. 

Step 02 Open the image on Photoshop. Go to the Layer's Pallete and double click on 'Layer 0'. A pop window will appear. Click 'OK' on it.

Step 03 The next step is to use the selection tools to select your subject and separate it from its background.

Some of the best options are listed below:

Object Selection Tool

Click the fourth tool on the Tool Palette. Drag and draw a box on the subject or a part of the subject. Automatically, Photoshop will select the part of the subject inside the box.

Quick Selection Tool

The Quick Selection Tool is found in the same cubby as the Object Selection Tool. Click and drag the pointer over the subject, and a selection will form and enclose the surrounding part of the subject.

Magic Wand Tool

It is also found in the same cubby as the other two tools. By clicking the Magic Wand Tool inside the subject, you will select a region of the subject that has the same colour. Use Tolerance Control to vary this tool's sensitivity.

Lasso Tool

The Lasso tool is found in the third position on the Tool Palette. It is right above the previous two tools. It works similar to a freehand tool, and the user can select the subject in a freehand drawing motion.

Polygonal Lasso Tool and Magnetic Lasso Tool

These two tools are found in the same cubby as the regular Lasso Tool. They draw selections in straight lines. The Polygonal Lasso Tool is a freeform tool. At the same time, the Magnetic Lasso Tool tries to snap regions that show variation in contrast.

New Selection

 Every time you use this tool, the selection will start from scratch, so it's necessary to use this mode only at the beginning of a selection.

Add to Selection

This tool will add the New Selection to your previous selections. This mode is used while you are 'building your selection'.

Subtract from Selection

This mode subtracts or removes from the given selection and is generally used for correcting mistakes.

Step 04 After you successfully select the entire subject, go to 'Select' and then 'Inverse.' This will flip the selection.

Step 05 Press the Delete key on your keyboard, and a checkerboard pattern will appear behind your subject.

Step 06 Save the file as a Photoshop or PNG file.

Easier Solution Instead of Making Background Transparent Photoshop

After you have learned how to make a transparent background in Photoshop, you will see it proves to be efficient in some cases but causes inconvenience in others. It is wise to look for other less lengthy and time-efficient methods to maximize your output with minimum effort.

HitPaw Online Background Remover is a free tool available online to remove background from your images without the assistance of Photoshop, without the worry of watermarks or advertisements.

With its powerful AI function, it only requires one click to remove your backgournd. You can use the HitPaw Online Background Remover in three easy steps:

• 1

  Drag and drop the image from your device on the website.

• 2

  Click on 'Remove Background' to start. Edit the image and adjust its size and scale according to your preference.

• 3

  Click on 'Download' and save the image on your device.

Conclusion

You must know how to make background transparent in Photoshop. Photoshop has various methods and an extensive range of tools to make a background transparent. However, it might seem complicated for a beginner. So we advise you to choose HitPaw Online Background Remover, which is a tool that provides an easier and shorter way that doesn't require learning how to make a background transparent in Photoshop.