11 Shortcuts to Remove Background in One Click! - Photoshop Tutorial

PiXimperfect
10 May 202324:57

TLDRThis tutorial offers a comprehensive guide on how to efficiently remove backgrounds from images in Photoshop. It introduces various shortcuts and methods tailored to different scenarios, such as using color range selection for green backgrounds, employing smart radius for regular images, and addressing high-contrast subjects. The video also covers advanced techniques like refining hair edges, decontaminating colors to eliminate halos, and creating actions for automation. Additionally, it demonstrates how to batch process multiple images and use blend modes like multiply and screen to manage contrast issues. The tutorial emphasizes understanding the underlying concepts rather than memorizing steps, aiming to make Photoshop accessible and less intimidating for users. It concludes with resources for further learning and free actions to aid in the learning process.

Takeaways

  • 🎨 **One-Click Background Removal**: There's a secret button in Photoshop that can remove the background with a single click, which is especially useful for e-commerce where you might need to process many images.
  • 🌟 **Color-Based Selection**: If the background is a solid color, such as green, you can use the 'Select and Mask' tool to remove it by targeting the specific color.
  • 🔍 **Refining the Mask**: After the initial selection, refine the edges using the 'Select and Mask' dialog to get a smoother and more accurate selection.
  • 🔗 **Actions for Automation**: Create actions to automate the background removal process, which can be applied to a series of images for consistency and efficiency.
  • 🛠️ **Smart Radius Tool**: Utilize the 'Smart Radius' feature in 'Select and Mask' to soften hard edges and improve the mask around the subject.
  • 📈 **Batch Processing**: Photoshop allows for batch processing of images, which is ideal for removing backgrounds from multiple images in succession without manual intervention for each.
  • 📌 **Manual Touch-ups**: There will be instances where manual touch-ups are necessary, especially when dealing with complex images or intricate details like hair.
  • 📋 **Create Droplets**: Use the 'Create Droplet' feature in Photoshop to process images automatically by simply dragging and dropping them onto the droplet.
  • 🔄 **Blend Modes for Contrast**: For high-contrast images, use blend modes like 'Multiply' or 'Screen' to manage halos and maintain the integrity of the subject against the background.
  • 📷 **Pixel Perfect Compositing**: Consider using the Pixel Perfect compositing plugin for a more streamlined background removal and compositing process.
  • 🔗 **Integration with Adobe Marketplace**: Photoshop actions and plugins like Pixel Perfect can be integrated directly into Adobe Marketplace for easy access and use.

Q & A

  • What is the first step to remove the background in Photoshop using a shortcut?

    -The first step is to unlock the layer by clicking on the lock icon and then using the 'remove background' button in the properties panel.

  • How can you create an action in Photoshop to automate the background removal process?

    -You start by recording an action, select one of the selection tools (Object Selection, Quick Selection, or Magic Wand), use the 'Select Subject' feature, and then click on the 'Mask' button to perform the selection masking.

  • What is the purpose of the 'smart radius' feature in the Select and Mask tool?

    -The 'smart radius' feature helps to refine the edges of the selection, making it smoother and more accurate, especially useful when dealing with complex or soft edges.

  • How can you remove specific colors from an image using Photoshop?

    -You can use the 'Select and Color Range' tool to select a specific color you want to remove, then invert the selection and apply a mask to remove that color.

  • What is the 'decontaminate colors' feature in the Select and Mask tool?

    -The 'decontaminate colors' feature helps to clean up any unwanted color fringes or halos around the edges of the selection by extending the image while keeping the mask the same.

  • How can you use the 'Multiply' blend mode to fix halos in high contrast images?

    -You apply the 'Multiply' blend mode to the layer with the halos, which darkens the image and eliminates the halos. Then, you can use a layer mask to remove the 'Multiply' effect from the edges where it's not needed.

  • What is the benefit of using the 'Screen' blend mode in a similar situation as the 'Multiply' blend mode?

    -The 'Screen' blend mode is used when the subject is lighter than the background. It lightens the image and can help to eliminate dark halos or fringes around the subject.

  • How can you batch process multiple images to remove their backgrounds in Photoshop?

    -You can record an action with the background removal process and then save the image. Create a droplet from this action and place it in a folder. Dragging images or folders onto this droplet will automatically process all the images in the folder.

  • What is the Pixel Perfect Compositing plugin and how does it simplify the masking process?

    -The Pixel Perfect Compositing plugin is an Adobe approved tool that simplifies the masking process by providing easy-to-use buttons for various selection and masking techniques, including 'Select Color Range' and 'Select Subject'.

  • How can you ensure that the actions you create in Photoshop are independent of specific color backgrounds?

    -You can create actions that prompt the user to select the color they want to remove, or if the background color is consistent across images, you can pre-select the color in the action for a fully automated process.

  • What is the recommended approach to learning and using Photoshop effectively?

    -Instead of memorizing steps, it's recommended to understand the concepts behind the tools and techniques in Photoshop. This understanding allows you to adapt and create your own steps as needed.

Outlines

00:00

🎨 Photoshop Background Removal Techniques

This paragraph introduces various methods to remove backgrounds in Photoshop, emphasizing the flexibility and accuracy it provides for professionals. It discusses the use of the 'remove background' button, creating actions for automation, and the importance of understanding the context of each image to choose the right technique. The paragraph also mentions a free action named 'pix, background removal' for simplifying the process.

05:01

🔍 Refining Edges and Color Range for Accurate Selections

The second paragraph delves into refining edges for better selection masks, particularly when dealing with hard-to-define subjects. It covers the use of 'select and mask' with smart radius for smoother edges and 'refine hair' for detailed masks around hair. Additionally, it explains how to deal with color-separated subjects using 'select color range' and creating hue/saturation adjustment layers to remove unwanted colors from the edges of selections.

10:02

🌈 Automating Color Background Removal

This section focuses on automating the removal of color backgrounds in Photoshop. It details the process of using 'select color range' with specific fuzziness settings and the 'select similar' feature for consistency. The paragraph also explains how to create actions that automatically adjust hue and saturation to remove background colors and discusses the possibility of a fully automated version for consistent color backgrounds.

15:04

📸 High Contrast Backgrounds and Blend Modes

The fourth paragraph addresses the challenge of removing backgrounds from high contrast images. It explains the use of blend modes, specifically 'multiply' and 'screen', to manage halos around subjects. The paragraph also covers techniques for extracting shadows and the use of actions to automate these processes, including the use of 'Pixel Perfect Compositing' plugin for a more straightforward approach.

20:06

🏢 Batch Processing for Mass Background Removal

The final paragraph discusses batch processing in Photoshop for handling large volumes of images that require background removal. It outlines the steps to create a droplet that automates the process, from applying an action to saving the processed images in a designated folder. The paragraph emphasizes the efficiency gains from understanding and applying Photoshop concepts rather than memorizing steps.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Background Removal

Background removal is the process of digitally separating the subject of an image from its background. In the video, it is a central theme as the host demonstrates various techniques to remove backgrounds in Photoshop efficiently. The importance is highlighted through the use of shortcuts and actions that automate the process, which is particularly useful for professionals dealing with numerous images, such as in e-commerce.

💡Hue Saturation Adjustment Layer

A Hue Saturation Adjustment Layer in Photoshop is a tool used to modify the color properties of an image. In the context of the video, it is employed to target and remove specific colors, such as unwanted greens, from the image while preserving the subject. This feature is crucial for refining the background removal process and ensuring a clean and professional result.

💡Select Subject

Select Subject is a feature in Photoshop that allows users to quickly select the main subject of an image. The video emphasizes its use as a starting point for background removal. It is particularly effective when there is a clear distinction between the subject and the background, making it a foundational concept in the discussed techniques.

💡Masking

Masking in Photoshop refers to the technique of hiding or revealing parts of a layer to achieve desired visual effects. The video script discusses the use of masks for refining selections, especially when removing backgrounds. It is a critical step for ensuring that the subject is cleanly separated from the background without unwanted halos or artifacts.

💡Smart Radius

Smart Radius is a feature within the Select and Mask tool in Photoshop that helps to refine the edges of a selection. The video demonstrates how enabling Smart Radius can improve the quality of the mask by smoothing out hard edges, which is essential for creating a natural and seamless background removal.

💡Actions

In Photoshop, Actions are recorded sequences of commands that can be played back to automate repetitive tasks. The video script provides an in-depth look at how Actions can be used to streamline the background removal process. By recording a series of steps into a single action, users can apply complex background removal techniques to multiple images with a single click, saving significant time and effort.

💡Magic Wand Tool

The Magic Wand Tool in Photoshop is used for making selections based on color similarity. It is one of the three tools, along with the Object Selection and Quick Selection tools, mentioned in the video for selecting subjects and creating masks. The Magic Wand Tool is particularly useful when the background has a uniform color, making it easier to select and remove.

💡Batch Processing

Batch Processing in Photoshop allows users to apply a set of actions to multiple files automatically. The video script explains how this feature can be utilized to remove backgrounds from a large number of images successively, which is highly beneficial for tasks such as preparing e-commerce product images in bulk.

💡Pixel Perfect Compositing

Pixel Perfect Compositing is a plugin mentioned in the video that simplifies the process of image masking and compositing. It integrates various tools and techniques, such as multiply blend mode and screen blend mode, to help users achieve professional-level image editing results with less effort. The plugin is highlighted as a time-saving tool for advanced Photoshop users.

💡Droplet

A Droplet in Photoshop is a feature that allows users to process multiple files with a single action by simply dragging and dropping them onto the Droplet. The video script describes creating a Droplet from an action for smart radius background removal, which then automates the process of opening, editing, and saving images with the background removed, further enhancing workflow efficiency.

💡Blend Modes

Blend Modes in Photoshop determine how layers interact with each other and the layers below them. The video discusses the use of Multiply and Screen blend modes for managing high-contrast backgrounds and subjects. These blend modes are essential for adjusting the appearance of edges and halos in images, particularly when dealing with dark hair against a bright background or vice versa.

Highlights

A secret button press can remove the background in Photoshop with a single click.

Photoshop can be instructed to remove specific colors, like greens, from the background.

Hue saturation adjustment layers are automatically created to refine the removal of colors.

E-commerce users can batch process images for background removal without opening Photoshop.

The 'remove background' button is available in the properties panel once a layer is unlocked.

Actions can be recorded in Photoshop to automate the background removal process.

The 'Select Subject' feature can be used for quick background removal with the aid of the 'Mask' button.

Select and Mask with Smart Radius can refine edges for a more natural look.

Refine Hair function in Select and Mask improves the accuracy of hair or fur selection.

Decontaminate Colors can clean up halos around the subject's edges.

Select Color Range can be used to remove backgrounds of a specific color, like green screens.

High contrast between subject and background can be managed with blend modes like Multiply or Screen.

Pixel Perfect Compositing plugin simplifies the masking and halo removal process.

Batch processing can automate background removal for large sets of images.

Droplets in Photoshop can process images automatically without manual intervention.

Actions and droplets can be customized for different background removal scenarios.

Understanding the concepts of Photoshop is more important than memorizing steps for effective use.