The EASY Background Remover Hidden in Photoshop!
TLDRThe video tutorial introduces a lesser-known tool in Photoshop for background removal that is both powerful and user-friendly. The tool allows for easy erasure of the background by painting over it, with customization options that make it highly accurate. However, it has a drawback as it works destructively, meaning that once the background is removed, there is no way to recover it without using masks. The video demonstrates how to use the tool effectively, adjusting settings such as sampling, limits, and tolerance to achieve the best results. It also addresses how to make the process non-destructive by using layer masks, allowing for more flexibility and control over the final image. The tutorial emphasizes the importance of choosing the right settings for different parts of the image and provides tips for fine-tuning the tool's performance. It concludes by highlighting that while this tool is a hidden gem in Photoshop, it is not necessarily superior to other selection tools, as each has its own use case and context.
Takeaways
- 🎨 **Photoshop's Background Eraser Tool**: There's a hidden tool in Photoshop that can erase the background without using selections or masks.
- 🖌️ **Customizable & Easy-to-Use**: The tool is powerful, customizable, and surprisingly easy to use, offering high accuracy for background removal.
- 🚫 **Destructive Nature**: The major drawback of the tool is that it works destructively, meaning once the background is removed, there's no way to recover it without a mask.
- 🔍 **Sampling Colors**: Users can tell Photoshop the background color, and it will analyze and remove it. There are different sampling modes: continuous, one-time, and background swatch.
- ⚙️ **Settings & Tolerance**: Settings at the top of the tool allow for customization, including limits (contiguous or discontiguous) and tolerance (affects the range of colors being altered).
- 🔄 **Non-Destructive Technique**: To make the tool non-destructive, duplicate the layer, use the eraser tool to remove the background, and then apply a layer mask to hide or reveal areas.
- 📉 **Fine-Tuning Tolerance**: Start with a low tolerance and increase it until it works for the image, but be cautious not to exceed the optimal level to avoid erasing unintended areas.
- 🧩 **Edge Preservation**: For areas with hard edges, use the 'find edges' or 'contiguous' option to preserve the sharpness of the edges.
- 💡 **Mask Modification**: Once a mask is created, it can be modified in various ways, including blurring or smoothing, to achieve the desired effect.
- ✨ **Hidden Gem**: The Background Eraser is a hidden gem in Photoshop that, when used properly, can significantly simplify the background removal process.
- ✅ **Technique Comparison**: While the Background Eraser has its advantages, different techniques like quick selection or select subject have their own uses and are not rendered useless by this tool.
Q & A
What is the name of the tool in Photoshop that can be used to remove the background?
-The tool in Photoshop used to remove the background is called the 'Background Eraser Tool'.
What is the major drawback of using the Background Eraser Tool?
-The major drawback of the Background Eraser Tool is that it works destructively, meaning it does not allow for non-destructive editing as you cannot easily recover removed areas.
How can you make the use of the Background Eraser Tool non-destructive?
-To make the use of the Background Eraser Tool non-destructive, you can create a copy of the background layer, perform the erasure on the copy, and then use a layer mask to reveal or hide the erased areas.
What are the different sampling options available in the Background Eraser Tool?
-The different sampling options in the Background Eraser Tool are Continuous, Once, and Background Swatch.
What does the 'Continuous' sampling option do in the Background Eraser Tool?
-The 'Continuous' sampling option continuously samples from the area under the crosshair as you paint, allowing for the removal of the background color as it changes.
What does the 'Once' sampling option do in the Background Eraser Tool?
-The 'Once' sampling option takes a sample from the area under the crosshair when you first click, and then it keeps that sample as long as you hold down the brush without releasing it.
How does the 'Find Edges' option differ from the 'Contiguous' option in the Background Eraser Tool?
-The 'Find Edges' option is similar to 'Contiguous' but attempts to detect and maintain the edges more accurately. 'Contiguous' only removes pixels that are physically attached to the color being removed and does not cross borders.
What does the 'Tolerance' setting control in the Background Eraser Tool?
-The 'Tolerance' setting controls the range of colors that are included in the erasure. A higher tolerance value means more colors will be affected by the tool.
How can you adjust the size and softness of the brush when using the Background Eraser Tool?
-You can adjust the size and softness of the brush by using the brush settings in Photoshop, which are typically found in the options bar at the top of the screen.
What is the process for making the background removal non-destructive using a layer mask?
-To make the background removal non-destructive, you duplicate the original layer, perform the erasure on the duplicate, and then add a layer mask to the duplicate. You can then paint on the layer mask with black to hide the erased areas or white to reveal them.
How can you fine-tune the edges after using the Background Eraser Tool?
-You can fine-tune the edges by adjusting the brush opacity, using the 'Overlay' blend mode with a lower flow rate, and manually painting over the edges to clean them up.
Outlines
🎨 Introduction to Photoshop's Background Eraser Tool
The paragraph introduces a powerful tool within Photoshop that can erase the background of an image. It discusses the tool's high level of customization, ease of use, and accuracy. However, it also highlights a major drawback, which is its destructive nature. The speaker prompts viewers to consider why this tool isn't discussed more often and suggests that the video will explore whether the drawback can be overcome. The tool is found under the eraser tool group, and the process of using it involves creating a solid color adjustment layer beneath the image layer to facilitate the removal of the background. The tool works by analyzing the color being painted over to determine the background and then erases it. The summary also touches on the importance of settings that will be discussed later in the video.
🔍 Understanding the Background Eraser's Sampling and Limits
This paragraph delves into the different sampling options available in the Background Eraser tool. It explains continuous sampling, which continuously takes color samples from under the crosshair, and one-time sampling, which takes a sample once and then maintains it. The paragraph also discusses the limits settings, which determine whether the tool will remove colors that are contiguous (physically attached) or discontiguous (across different areas). The 'find edges' option is introduced as a method that attempts to detect and maintain sharp edges. The concept of tolerance is introduced, which refers to the range of colors the tool will affect, with higher tolerances including a broader range of colors.
🖌️ Painting with Tolerance and Making the Tool Non-Destructive
The paragraph explains how to use the tool effectively by adjusting the tolerance to find the right balance for removing the background without affecting unwanted areas. It also demonstrates how to make the erasing process non-destructive by using layer masks. The process involves copying the original layer, using the background eraser tool to remove the background, and then applying a layer mask to the copy to hide the erased areas. This allows for flexibility in editing and the ability to restore accidentally removed parts. The paragraph concludes with a demonstration of how to refine the mask using different brush settings and blend modes.
🔄 Recap and Final Thoughts on the Background Eraser Tool
The final paragraph recaps the key points covered in the video. It summarizes the sampling methods, limits, and tolerance settings of the Background Eraser tool. It emphasizes the importance of starting with a low tolerance and gradually increasing it until the desired effect is achieved without overdoing it. The paragraph also discusses the non-destructive approach using layer masks and the flexibility it provides in editing. The video concludes with a reminder that every tool and technique in Photoshop has its place and encourages viewers to decide which method works best for their specific needs. It ends with a call to action for likes, subscriptions, and notifications, and a thank you to supporters.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Background Eraser Tool
💡Solid Color Adjustment Layer
💡Sampling
💡Limits
💡Tolerance
💡Non-Destructive Editing
💡Layer Mask
💡Blend Modes
💡Flow
💡Blur Tool
💡Ctrl/Command Click
Highlights
Photoshop contains a tool that can erase the background without needing selections or masks.
The tool is highly customizable, advanced, and easy-to-use, offering impressive accuracy.
The major drawback of the tool is its destructive nature, making it difficult to recover erased areas.
The tool works by identifying the background color and removing it as you paint over it.
Settings such as sampling methods (continuous, one time, background sampling) can be adjusted for better control.
Limit settings allow for control over which areas can be painted and thus which parts of the image are affected.
Tolerance determines the range of colors that are included in the selection and can be adjusted for precision.
The tool can be used effectively on complex images, such as those with hair, by adjusting the tolerance and sampling methods.
For non-destructive editing, a copy of the original layer can be used with a mask to allow for changes without altering the original image.
The mask created can be modified in various ways, such as blurring or smoothing, to achieve the desired effect.
Different techniques and tools in Photoshop have their own place and are useful depending on the specific image and situation.
A step-by-step guide is provided to use the tool effectively, including how to make it non-destructive.
The video includes a demonstration on how to use the tool with various settings and how to correct any mistakes.
The background eraser tool is considered a hidden gem in Photoshop that, when used properly, can significantly simplify the background removal process.
The video concludes with a recap of the tool's features and an encouragement for viewers to decide which technique works best for them.
The presenter thanks the supporters of the channel and encourages viewers to like, subscribe, and ring the bell for notifications.
The video ends with a motivational message to keep creating, highlighting the importance of continuous learning and practice.
