How to Remove Backgrounds in Adobe Illustrator
Open your image in Adobe Illustrator., Press Z to launch the Zoom tool.To remove the background of an image from a photograph, you’ll have to create a precise outline around the part of the photo you wish to preserve., Press ⌘ Cmd+Space (Mac) or...
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Open your image in Adobe Illustrator.
Using the Zoom tool is the best way to get that level of precision.
If the image you’re working with is simpler, like a single shape or outline, use the Magic Wand tool instead. ,, Each click will drop one “anchor point.” As additional anchor points are dropped, a line will appear, connecting the new point to its predecessor.
You can also select this tool by clicking the fountain pen icon in the toolbar. , The end goal is to surround the foreground object (from which you’ll be removing the background) with an outline built from these anchor points. , Click along the entire outline of the foreground object until you’ve come back to where you started.
Stay as close to the edge as possible—Illustrator will do its best to correct your clicks for accuracy.
You can press the Space key to move the image so that off-screen areas become visible.
This will be helpful if you’re zoomed in far enough that you can’t see the entire image.
The cursor will turn into a small hand—use it to drag the image in any direction, bringing other areas into view without breaking the continuity of the Pen tool outline. , The object is now completely surrounded by a dotted outline. , The part of the image you outlined is now considered an object of its own.
Both the newly selected object and its background will now have selection outlines (usually a blue line) around them. , This will select both objects at once. , This will make the background turn white.
Now, the foreground object you outlined with the pen tool really stands out.
Having a solid white background makes it easy to change the background color. , If you want to save only the foreground image with no background at all, press Y to switch to the Magic Wand tool, then click on the white background.
Now, press Del. , Click “File,” then “Save as, ” and then choose “Illustrator EPS (*.EPS)” from the File Format drop-down.
Type a name for your file, then click “Save.” If you made the background transparent, it will still be transparent when saved in this format. , This file type works best for photos, as they can support up to 16 million colors.
Click “File,” then “Save for web.” In the resulting dialog box, select “PNG-24” from the drop-down, then place a check in the box next to “Transparency” if you have a transparent background.
Click “Save,” choose a save location, then click “Save” once more.
For a smaller file with fewer colors, you can select “.GIF” from the menu instead of “.PNG-24”.
Images saved in this format will load faster on the web, but many not appear as crisp. -
Step 2: Press Z to launch the Zoom tool.To remove the background of an image from a photograph
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Step 3: you’ll have to create a precise outline around the part of the photo you wish to preserve.
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Step 4: Press ⌘ Cmd+Space (Mac) or Ctrl+Space (PC) to zoom in.
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Step 5: Press P to select the Pen tool.This tool allows you to select an object by creating an outline with a series of clicks.
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Step 6: Click once on the edge of the foreground object to drop the first anchor point.
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Step 7: Click around the edge of the object to create the outline until you’ve reached your first anchor point.
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Step 8: Click the first anchor point (again) to complete the outline.
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Step 9: Click the Select tool to show all objects.
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Step 10: Click the foreground object once
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Step 11: then hold ⇧ Shift as you click the background.
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Step 12: Right-click (or Ctrl+click) the foreground object
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Step 13: then select “Make Clipping Mask”.
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Step 14: Remove the white background to make it transparent.
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Step 15: Save your image as a .EPS for use in page layout or design software.The .EPS format is widely used in almost all graphic applications and word processing programs.
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Step 16: Save your image as a .PNG for the web.PNG files are high-quality web images that support transparent backgrounds.
Detailed Guide
Using the Zoom tool is the best way to get that level of precision.
If the image you’re working with is simpler, like a single shape or outline, use the Magic Wand tool instead. ,, Each click will drop one “anchor point.” As additional anchor points are dropped, a line will appear, connecting the new point to its predecessor.
You can also select this tool by clicking the fountain pen icon in the toolbar. , The end goal is to surround the foreground object (from which you’ll be removing the background) with an outline built from these anchor points. , Click along the entire outline of the foreground object until you’ve come back to where you started.
Stay as close to the edge as possible—Illustrator will do its best to correct your clicks for accuracy.
You can press the Space key to move the image so that off-screen areas become visible.
This will be helpful if you’re zoomed in far enough that you can’t see the entire image.
The cursor will turn into a small hand—use it to drag the image in any direction, bringing other areas into view without breaking the continuity of the Pen tool outline. , The object is now completely surrounded by a dotted outline. , The part of the image you outlined is now considered an object of its own.
Both the newly selected object and its background will now have selection outlines (usually a blue line) around them. , This will select both objects at once. , This will make the background turn white.
Now, the foreground object you outlined with the pen tool really stands out.
Having a solid white background makes it easy to change the background color. , If you want to save only the foreground image with no background at all, press Y to switch to the Magic Wand tool, then click on the white background.
Now, press Del. , Click “File,” then “Save as, ” and then choose “Illustrator EPS (*.EPS)” from the File Format drop-down.
Type a name for your file, then click “Save.” If you made the background transparent, it will still be transparent when saved in this format. , This file type works best for photos, as they can support up to 16 million colors.
Click “File,” then “Save for web.” In the resulting dialog box, select “PNG-24” from the drop-down, then place a check in the box next to “Transparency” if you have a transparent background.
Click “Save,” choose a save location, then click “Save” once more.
For a smaller file with fewer colors, you can select “.GIF” from the menu instead of “.PNG-24”.
Images saved in this format will load faster on the web, but many not appear as crisp.
About the Author
Julie Chapman
Writer and educator with a focus on practical creative arts knowledge.
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