Learn the top 3 methods for removing backgrounds in Adobe Illustrator with ease. Discover the most effective techniques for creating clean and professional designs.
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In this article, we highlight the three best ways to remove backgrounds in Adobe Illustrator and show you a much better way of erasing backgrounds from your images while preserving their fine details.
The difference between using Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop to remove image backgrounds
Using Image Trace to remove backgrounds in Adobe Illustrator
Using the Magic Wand tool in Illustrator to remove backgrounds
Using the Pen tool in Illustrator to make transparent backgrounds
A better way to remove image backgrounds without compromising quality
Since its launch in 1987, Adobe Illustrator has become the industry standard for making art-related creative materials. The tool is best for editing vectorized graphics like logos, typefaces, illustrations, and infographics. But, compared to Photoshop, there are only a few methods for deleting image backgrounds.
With Photoshop, you can remove backgrounds using several tools, including simple tools like the Adobe Remove Background feature and more complicated ones like the Pen Tool. Photoshop is more suitable for editing rasterized graphics — images made up of pixels (which determines their quality) and aren’t as scalable as vectors.
Want to try Photoshop for background removal? Follow our step-by-step guide on the easiest ways to remove backgrounds in Photoshop.
Using the Image Trace feature involves vectorizing the image before removing the unwanted background. This method is most suitable when your image has a simple or plain background. The more colorful your pictures background, the more time it takes to select and delete the colors.
Here’s how to use the Image Trace feature for background removal:
With your image open in Adobe Illustrator, click View in the menu bar. Then click Show Transparency Grid.
Click on the Direct Selection tool (black arrow) in the toolbar and select the image by clicking on it.
Go to Window in the menu bar and select Image Trace to open the Image Trace panel. In the Image Trace panel, choose High Fidelity Photo under Preset for the best results and wait for the image tracing process to complete.
Close the Image Trace panel. Go to Object in the menu bar and select Expand. Click OK in the Expand panel to convert the traced image into a vector.
Click outside the canvas, then click on the picture’s background and press the Delete key on the keyboard to remove it. Click on any other part of the background that’s still in the image to delete.
Finally, click File > Export > Export As. Rename your file if you want, and choose PNG in the file format option. Click Export, and a PNG Options box will appear on your screen. Leave the Background Color option as Transparent in the box, then click OK to save your image.
Asian cartoon character with canoe hat on a transparent background created with image trace in Adobe Illustrator
It’s best to use the Magic Wand tool when your picture’s background has a solid color or consistent color range. The tool is designed for vector files like EPS, SVG, or AI and may not work at all on raster images.
Here’s how to delete backgrounds with the Magic Wand tool:
Open your image in Illustrator, click View on the menu bar, and select Show Transparency Grid.
Choose the Magic Wand tool from the toolbar. Click on the background or objects you want to remove. The Magic Wand tool will identify and select the regions with similar colors based on your click. To add more elements to your selection, hold down the Shift key and click on the part of the image you want to add. To remove from your selection, press Alt or Option (macOS) and click to remove elements.
You can adjust the tool’s settings (colors, opacity, or weight) to find the right balance for your image.
After selecting the areas you want erased, press Delete on your keyboard to remove the selected background. Remember to double-check your selection before deleting. When you’re done, export your file in PNG or AI format.
Black female cartoon character with fists up in the air exuding joy on Adobe Illustrator dashboard with background removed
If the subject in your image has complex or detailed edges, then the Pen tool is your best option. The tool makes the background removal process more flexible, allowing you to create a precise and custom outline around the subject in the image.
Making transparent backgrounds with the Pen tool involves creating a clipping mask. Here are the steps to follow:
Open your image in Adobe Illustrator and set the Fill and Stroke option (lower corner of the toolbar) as None. Click View on the menu bar and select Show Transparency Grid.
Go to the Layers panel and click on Create New Layer. Next, click on the space beside the blue line to lock Layer 1 (the layer with the image).
Select the Pen Tool from the toolbar, then trace around your subject by creating points. It doesn’t have to be perfect but try to trace around the main points of the subject. To finish the selection, click from your last point to your starting point, and it will close the path.
Choose the Selection tool from the toolbar (or press V on your keyboard) to make your selection.
Return to the Layers panel and unlock the layer you locked earlier. Then select Layers 1 and 2. To select both layers, point your cursor on the right-hand end of the layer you want to select, then click the Shift and the left mouse button on your keyboard. A good way to know if you’ve selected the layer is that the small red or blue squares on the far right end will appear afterward. You have to select both layers for the next step to work.
Press Ctrl+7 (Command+7 on Mac) to create a clipping mask. This will remove the background outside your traced selection.
To download, click File > Export > Export As. Rename your file if you want, and choose PNG in the file format option. Check the Use Artboards option. Click Export, and a PNG Options box will appear on your screen. Leave the Background Color option as Transparent in the box, then click OK to save your image.
Hand-drawn Asian cartoon character with a canoe hat on a transparent background created with pen tool in Adobe Illustrator
Background removal doesn’t have to be a chore. With the right photo editing tool, you can make transparent backgrounds faster and work with different file formats without worrying about them being a good fit.
With PhotoCut, it’s easy to automatically erase backgrounds and turn your images into versatile assets that blend well with any design or platform.
The dashboard of the PhotoCut mobile app editor showing a hand-drawn ethnic illustration of a woman with the background of the original image first intact and then removed
You can even go a step further and use more smart tools in the app to enhance your picture’s details and create beautiful backgrounds with generative AI.
Explore endless tools and templates at your fingertips to customize your new image using the PhotoCut app. They love us. You will too.
"Photocut has revolutionized the way I approach photo editing. It's an absolute game-changer! The results are impressive, and the ease of use is a huge plus. I can't recommend it enough."
"I was skeptical at first, but Photocut has exceeded my expectations. It's like having a professional photo editor at your fingertips. The quality and speed are unbeatable!"
"Photocut is a lifesaver for my online store. I used to spend hours editing product images, but now I can do it in minutes, and the results are fantastic. A must-have tool for e-commerce."
I recommend checking out our detailed step-by-step guide on How to Use a Free Photo Editor. It covers everything from downloading and installing to using the essential tools and techniques for enhancing your photos.
To learn how to edit the background of an image using free software, visit this comprehensive guide: How to Use a Free Photo Editor to Edit Photo Backgrounds.
Yes, you can use several free tools to remove color and make your image transparent. One such tool is PhotoCut. It's easy to use:
Step 1: Go to Remove Color From Image With AI for Free.
Step 2: Download the app or directly upload your image.
Step 3: Select 'Remove Background' (make sure the 'Transparent' option is checked).
Step 4: Download the resulting transparent image.
For detailed guidance on professional photo editing using free online tools, please refer to our comprehensive documentation at Remove any person from the photo using AI. This guide covers advanced techniques for removing unwanted elements, adjusting color balance, and enhancing image quality. By following the step-by-step instructions, you can achieve professional-level results without breaking the bank.
You can use a free photo editor such as Transparent Background Maker using AI to further enhance your transparent images. This allows you to crop, resize, add text, adjust colors, and apply various effects to your images.
Most of the free AI tools only allow you to remove one person at a time. However, there are some paid tools that allow you to remove multiple people. One popular option is PhotoCut, for more information on how to use free photo editors to remove people from photos, you can refer to this comprehensive guide on Remove any person from the photo using AI for Free.
To use a Free Transparent Background Maker using AI, follow these general steps:
Step 1: Choose a suitable tool, such as a free Transparent Background Maker using AI.
Step 2: Upload your image to the tool's website or app.
Step 3: Wait for the AI to process the image and remove the background.
Step 4: Download the processed image with a transparent background.
Step 5: If desired, you can then use the image in your projects or designs.
To edit the background of a photo using a Background Editor, follow these general steps:
Step 1: Open the Edit Background of the Photo article to learn the step-by-step process.
Step 2: Download the app.
Step 3: Use the background removal tool to isolate the foreground subject from the background. This may involve selecting the subject manually or using an automatic detection feature.
Step 4: Once the background is isolated, you can replace it with a new image, color, or pattern, or remove it entirely.
Step 5: Adjust the settings and options provided by the software to fine-tune the appearance of the edited photo.
Step 6: Save the edited photo to your desired location.
AI technology has revolutionized image enhancement, allowing you to improve clarity, remove noise, and scale images to higher resolutions without sacrificing image quality. Discover how AI can enhance your images by visiting this comprehensive guide: Enhance Image Quality with AI & Get Higher Resolution Image.
There are several free online tools that allow you to remove unwanted objects from photos. One highly recommended tool is Remove Unwanted Objects for Free.
This tool is easy to use and provides accurate results. It allows you to manually select the unwanted objects and remove them from the photo. You can also use the automatic detection feature to identify and remove unwanted objects automatically.Here are the steps on how to use Remove Unwanted Objects for Free:
Step 1: Upload your photo to the tool.
Step 2: Use the tools to manually select and remove the unwanted objects.
Step 3: Or, use the automatic detection feature to identify and remove unwanted objects.
Step 4: Download the edited photo.The tool is completely free to use and does not require any subscription or registration.
To start using the free AI Photo Editor, simply click on the following link: Free AI Photo Editor
Once you have clicked on the link, you will be taken to the editor where you can upload your photo and begin editing. The editor is user-friendly and provides a wide range of AI-powered features to enhance your photos.
You can use online tools like Background Eraser to erase the background of any image for free. Click here to access Background Eraser.
To effortlessly cleanup your images using AI at no cost, I recommend visiting our comprehensive guide on 'Picture Cleanup with AI - Cleanup Pictures for Free'. This valuable resource provides step-by-step instructions on utilizing powerful AI tools to remove unwanted objects, enhance colors, and optimize your images for various purposes.
Visit our website Create your rounded profile picture for free - Round PFP for a simple and easy-to-use tool that allows you to create rounded profile pictures in just a few simple steps. Our user-friendly interface makes it effortless to customize your profile picture in a matter of seconds. Whether you want to crop an existing image or use our pre-designed templates, we provide you with the freedom to create the perfect rounded profile picture for any platform.
With our AI-powered instant background remover, you can remove the background from any image in just a few clicks. Simply upload your image to our website or mobile app, and our AI will automatically detect and remove the background, leaving you with a transparent background image. You can then use this image for any purpose, such as creating social media graphics, website banners, or product images. Click here to try our instant background remover for free.
Here's a free and easy-to-use online tool that will help you remove the background from any image instantly: Free Image Background Remover - Remove Bg for Free
There are several free online tools that you can use to add a brown background to your image. One popular option is add a brown background to your image for free. This tool allows you to change the background color of your image to any color you want, including brown. Simply upload your image to the tool, select 'Change Background Color' from the left-hand menu, and then choose the desired brown shade from the color palette. You can then download the edited image with the new brown background.
To quickly and easily remove the background from an image, you can use an online removal tool like Remove Background. Simply upload your image to the website, and it will automatically remove the background in seconds.
You can easily create a rounded profile picture for free using our online profile picture rounding service at Create your rounded profile picture for free - Round PFP.
Follow these steps:
Step 1: Upload your desired image.
Step 2: Select the rounding shape (circle or square).
Step 3: Adjust the rounding radius to your preference.
Step 4: Preview your rounded profile picture and click 'Download.'
PhotoCut Pro is a powerful image editing software that empowers you to effortlessly remove and replace backgrounds. By subscribing to PhotoCut Pro, you unlock a myriad of premium features, including:-
-Background removal with AI-powered accuracy
- Advanced cutout tools for fine-tuning your edits
- A vast library of backgrounds to enhance your compositions
- Batch processing capabilities to save time and streamline your workflow.
Discover the Transformative Power of PhotoCut Pro: A Comprehensive Guide to Background Removal
You can use the 'Free Image Cropper: Easily Crop Photos within seconds' tool to quickly and easily crop your photos. This tool offers a user-friendly interface and a variety of cropping options, allowing you to achieve the desired result in just a few seconds. To get started, simply upload your photo, select the desired cropping area, and apply the changes. The tool supports various image formats and provides high-quality output. For more detailed information and a step-by-step guide, you can refer to our comprehensive article on the topic: Free Image Cropper: Easily Crop Photos within seconds.
You can add a plain white background to your image for free using various online tools and software. One such tool is Add Plain White Background to your image. This tool allows you to upload your image, automatically remove the existing background, and replace it with a plain white background. The process is simple and user-friendly, and the best part is that it's completely free.
To add a white background to your passport photo, follow these steps:
Step 1: Use a photo editing software such as Photoshop, Paint.NET, or Canva.
Step 2: Open your passport photo in the software.
Step 3: Create a new layer behind the photo.
Step 4: Fill the layer with white using the paint bucket tool.
Step 5: Adjust the opacity of the white layer to blend it with the photo.
Step 6: Crop the photo to the required size and save it in the appropriate file format.
For more detailed instructions and additional tips, refer to our comprehensive article:
How to Add White Background to Passport Photo
There are several free online tools that allow you to easily add a light blue background to your image. One popular option is Free Online Photo Editor. This user-friendly tool offers a wide range of editing options, including the ability to change the background color of your image. By following the step-by-step instructions provided in our comprehensive article, you will be able to add a light blue background to your image with professional-looking results in just minutes.
To stay ahead of the curve in 2024, consider these key trends:
Use of natural light: Natural light enhances realism and creates a soft, inviting atmosphere.
Minimalist backgrounds: Clear and uncluttered backgrounds draw attention to the clothing and reduce distractions.
Interesting textures and patterns: Incorporating fabrics with different textures and patterns adds visual interest and depth.
Attention to detail: Pay meticulous attention to elements such as wrinkles, folds, and accessories to showcase the craftsmanship and allure of the garments.
Use of props: Props like flowers, jewelry, or books can enhance storytelling and create a personalized touch.
For more in-depth insights and inspiration, be sure to explore our comprehensive article on
Clothing Flat Lay Photography Ideas You Need to Know for 2024 (Updated)
