What Is the Shortcut to Remove Background in Photoshop?

Removing the background from an image is a common task in graphic design and photo editing. It can be time-consuming and tedious to manually remove the background, but luckily, Adobe Photoshop provides a shortcut that simplifies this process. In this tutorial, we will explore the shortcut to remove the background in Photoshop and achieve professional-looking results.

Step 1: Open Your Image in Photoshop

To begin, launch Photoshop and open the image you want to edit. You can do this by going to File > Open or by dragging and dropping the image into the Photoshop workspace.

Step 2: Select the Background Eraser Tool

Next, select the Background Eraser Tool from the toolbar on the left-hand side of your screen. It is represented by an eraser icon with a small brush next to it.

Tip:

If you can't find the Background Eraser Tool, you may need to right-click on the Eraser Tool icon and select it from the dropdown menu.

Step 3: Adjust Your Brush Settings

Before using the Background Eraser Tool, it's essential to adjust its settings according to your needs. You can access these settings by clicking on the brush icon at the top of your screen or by right-clicking anywhere on your canvas while using the tool.

• Tolerance: This determines how similar in color a pixel must be to be erased. A higher tolerance value allows for more variation in color selection.
• Sampling: Choose between Continuous or Once for sampling options. Continuous continuously samples colors as you drag, while Once samples colors only when you release and click again.
• Limits: The Discontiguous option allows the eraser to erase pixels throughout the image, even if they are not connected. The Contiguous option keeps the eraser from erasing pixels that are not directly connected.

Step 4: Start Erasing the Background

Now that your brush settings are adjusted, it's time to start erasing the background. Simply click and drag your brush over the areas you want to remove. As you drag, you will notice that Photoshop automatically detects and removes similar colors.

Tip:

If you accidentally erase part of your subject, use the Undo command (Ctrl + Z for Windows, Command + Z for Mac) or switch to the History Brush Tool to restore those areas.

Step 5: Refine Your Selection

After removing most of the background using the Background Eraser Tool, you may have some areas that still need refinement. To refine your selection, you can switch to other selection tools like the Lasso Tool or Quick Selection Tool and manually add or subtract from your selection.

Step 6: Save Your Image with a Transparent Background

Once you are satisfied with your selection, it's time to save your image with a transparent background. To do this, go to File > Save As and choose a file format that supports transparency, such as PNG or TIFF.

Note:

Saving your image as a JPEG will flatten the layers and remove the transparency.

Congratulations! You have successfully removed the background from an image using Photoshop's shortcut - Background Eraser Tool. With this powerful tool at your disposal, you can now easily create stunning graphics and composite images without spending hours manually removing backgrounds.

Remember to practice and experiment with different images and brush settings to achieve the best results. Happy editing!