3 FREE Ways to Remove Backgrounds from Ai Images

Philip Anders
6 Apr 202308:33

TLDRThis video presents three free methods for removing backgrounds from AI-generated artwork. The importance of having clear graphics with the correct prompts is emphasized for easier background removal. The first method involves using Photopia, a web-based alternative to Photoshop, which offers two options: the 'Remove BG' feature and the magic wand tool for more precise selection. The second method is Erase.bg, a website that automatically removes backgrounds with a simple drag-and-drop interface, though it offers less control over the final result. Lastly, Paint 3D for Windows users is highlighted, which uses the 'Magic Select' tool to isolate and remove the background. The video also provides tips on refining the selection and exporting the final image with a transparent background.

Takeaways

  • 🎨 **Use Clear Outlines**: When generating AI artwork, use prompts that create clear outlines to make background removal easier.
  • 🖼️ **Image Quality Matters**: Upscale your images at least four times before removing the background to avoid poor results.
  • 🌐 **Photopea as an Alternative**: Photopea is a free online alternative to Photoshop with tools to remove backgrounds, though results may not be perfect.
  • 🔍 **Magic Wand Tool**: In Photopea, use the Magic Wand tool with a tolerance around 70 for better selection, and refine with the mask functionality.
  • 📐 **Stroke and Contour**: Adding stroke or contour to your AI graphics can help create a clear shape, facilitating easier background removal.
  • 🚫 **Avoid Blurry Edges**: Ensure the edges of your design are not blurry for better background removal results.
  • 🌟 **Erase.bg for Simplicity**: Erase.bg is a straightforward, free website for one-off background removals, though it offers less control over the outcome.
  • 🖌️ **Paint 3D for Windows Users**: For Windows users, Paint 3D includes a Magic Select tool for background removal with the option to refine selections.
  • 📊 **Resize with Ctrl+T**: In Photopea, you can resize your image using Ctrl+T for better detail in the final output.
  • 💾 **Export in PNG Format**: After background removal, export your image in PNG format to maintain the transparency.
  • 📈 **Upsizing Images**: For more complex graphics, upsize the image before removing the background to improve the selection process.

Q & A

  • What is the primary tool the speaker usually uses for removing backgrounds from AI generated artwork?

    -The speaker usually uses Photoshop for removing backgrounds from AI generated artwork due to the control it offers over the final result.

  • Why is having the right kind of graphics important when removing backgrounds from images?

    -Having the right kind of graphics with clear outlines is important because it makes the background removal process easier and more accurate.

  • What is the first free alternative to Photoshop mentioned in the script?

    -The first free alternative to Photoshop mentioned is Photopia, a web browser-based tool.

  • How does the Photopia tool attempt to remove the background of an image?

    -Photopia allows users to drag and drop their design into the tool, which then uses an 'Auto' or 'Magic Wand' tool to select and remove the background.

  • What is the second method suggested for refining the background removal in Photopia?

    -The second method for refining the background removal in Photopia is using the mask functionality to adjust the selection made by the tool.

  • What is the second free website recommended for removing backgrounds?

    -The second free website recommended is called Erase.bg, which is a simple drag-and-drop tool for background removal.

  • How does the Erase.bg website handle the removal of complex graphics?

    -Erase.bg may not be ideal for complex graphics as it sometimes removes parts of the design if they have the same background color.

  • What is the third tool mentioned for removing backgrounds from images?

    -The third tool mentioned is Paint 3D, which is a free software available with Windows.

  • How can you adjust the size of an image in Photopia?

    -In Photopia, you can adjust the size of an image by using the 'Ctrl T' to transform and then dragging the bounding box to make the image larger.

  • What is the recommended process for exporting an image with a removed background in Photopia?

    -To export an image with a removed background in Photopia, you go to 'File', then 'Export As', select 'PNG', choose the dimensions, and hit 'Save' to save it to your device.

  • What is the recommended image resolution before removing the background?

    -The recommended image resolution is to upscale the images at least four times before removing the background to avoid poor results.

  • How can you use the 'Magic Select' tool in Paint 3D to refine the selection of the background to be removed?

    -In Paint 3D, you can use the 'Magic Select' tool to draw a box around the graphic you want to keep, and then use the 'Refine' options to add more to the selection or remove certain parts as needed.

Outlines

00:00

🎨 Photoshop Alternatives for Background Removal

The video introduces three free methods for removing the background from AI-generated artwork. The presenter prefers Photoshop for its control over the final result but acknowledges its accessibility issues. The importance of having the right graphics with clear outlines is emphasized, as it simplifies the background removal process. The video also stresses the need for high-quality images, suggesting to upscale images at least four times before removal. The first method presented is Photopia, a web-based alternative to Photoshop, which allows for background removal through a simple drag-and-drop interface and offers two options: the 'remove BG' selection and the 'magic wand' tool for more detailed selections. The video demonstrates how to use these tools, refine the mask, and export the final image.

05:00

🌟 Erase.bg and Paint 3D for Effortless Background Removal

The second method introduced is Erase.bg, a free online tool for removing backgrounds from images. It is particularly useful for single-image processing and offers a quick and hands-off solution, though it provides less control over the editing process. The tool automatically detects and removes the background, and while it may not be ideal for complex graphics, it can save significant time and effort. The third method discussed is Paint 3D, a Windows application that provides a 'magic select' feature for background removal. This tool allows for precise selection and refinement of the image, with options to add or remove parts of the selection. The video demonstrates how to use this tool to remove the background, adjust the canvas, and export the image with a transparent background. The presenter also teases a follow-up video on monetizing AI-generated artwork.

Mindmap

Photoshop as a preferred tool
Need for alternative tools
Context
Upscaling images before background removal
Clear outline for easier background removal
Importance of Image Quality
Introduction
Web-based alternative to Photoshop
Drag and drop functionality
Tool Description
Select and Remove BG
Magic Wand Tool
Tolerance adjustment
Selection refinement with mask functionality
Background Removal Techniques
Image resizing with Ctrl+T
Exporting as PNG
Exporting Process
Method 1: Photopia
Free for single image processing
Bulk processing requires payment
Tool Description
Less control over final result
Potential removal of design elements with similar colors
Limitations
Drag and drop image
Download original size
Usage and Download
Method 2: Erase.bg
Windows only
Platform Limitation
Selecting parts of the background to remove
Refine options for adjustments
Magic Select Feature
Canvas options to hide background
Exporting with transparency
Adjusting dimensions before export
Exporting Process
Method 3: Paint 3D
Using stroke or contour for clear outlines
Enclosed in a circle or on a round vintage sunset for shape
Quality of graphics matters
Additional Tips
Recommendation for further learning on monetizing AI artwork
Conclusion
Free Methods to Remove Backgrounds from AI Images
Alert

Keywords

💡Photoshop

Photoshop is a widely used image editing software developed by Adobe Inc. It is known for its powerful tools that allow users to manipulate and enhance digital images. In the video, it is mentioned as a preferred tool for removing backgrounds from AI-generated artwork due to the control it offers over the final result.

💡AI generated artwork

AI generated artwork refers to images or designs created using artificial intelligence. These are often generated through prompts that guide the AI to create specific types of images. The video focuses on methods to remove the background from such artwork, which is a common step in post-processing AI-generated images.

💡Background removal

Background removal is the process of separating the subject of an image from its background. This is a crucial step in image editing, especially when preparing images for use in various media where a transparent or different background is desired. The video provides three methods to achieve this for AI-generated images.

💡Stroke

In the context of graphic design and image editing, a stroke is an outline around a shape or text. The video suggests adding a stroke to AI-generated images to create a clear outline, which aids in the background removal process by providing a distinct boundary between the subject and the background.

💡Upscale

Upscaling refers to increasing the resolution or size of a digital image. The video emphasizes the importance of upscaling AI-generated images to at least four times their original size before attempting to remove the background to achieve better quality results.

💡Photopia

Photopia is mentioned as a web-based alternative to Photoshop. It is used in the video to demonstrate a free method for removing backgrounds from images. The platform offers tools like 'remove BG' and the 'magic wand' tool, similar to those in Photoshop, to help users separate the subject from the background.

💡Magic Wand Tool

The Magic Wand Tool is a selection tool in image editing software that allows users to click on a particular color or area in an image, and it automatically selects all contiguous areas of that color. In the video, it is used in Photopia to select and remove the background of AI-generated images.

💡Erase.bg

Erase.bg is a website that provides a free, automated background removal service. The video presents it as a hands-off option for users who may not want to manually edit the background out of their images. It is praised for its ease of use and quick results, although it offers less control compared to more advanced tools.

💡Paint 3D

Paint 3D is a painting and 3D modeling application included with Windows 10. The video introduces it as a surprising tool for background removal in AI-generated images. It features a 'Magic select' tool that can automatically detect and select the background of an image for removal.

💡Raster Mask

A raster mask, also known as a layer mask in image editing, is a technique used to hide or show parts of a layer in an image. In the video, it is used in Photopia to refine the edges of an image after the background has been removed, allowing for more precise control over the final result.

💡Transparency

Transparency in digital images refers to the property of an image that allows underlying layers or the background to be visible through parts of the image that have no color or are designated as transparent. The video discusses the importance of exporting images with a transparent background for use in various applications.

Highlights

The video provides three free methods to remove backgrounds from AI-generated artwork.

Photoshop is the preferred tool for the presenter, but free alternatives are shown for those without access.

Having the right kind of graphics with clear outlines is crucial for easier background removal.

Upscaling images at least four times before removing the background improves the final result.

Photopia is a web-based alternative to Photoshop that can remove backgrounds with a simple drag and drop.

The 'Remove BG' feature in Photopia automatically identifies and removes the background.

The Magic Wand tool in Photopia can be used for more precise background removal.

Erase.bg is a free online tool for removing backgrounds, ideal for single images.

Erase.bg provides a quick and hands-off solution, though less control over the final result.

Paint 3D is a free Windows software that includes a 'Magic select' feature for background removal.

Paint 3D allows for refining the selection and removing unwanted parts of the background.

After using Magic select in Paint 3D, the background can be detached and deleted.

Images can be exported from Paint 3D with transparency, providing a clean background-free result.

The video offers additional tutorials on using Photoshop for T-shirt design and print on demand for Etsy.

Adding strokes or contours to AI-generated images can create a clear shape and outline for easier editing.

Using enclosed shapes like circles or vintage sunsets can simplify the background removal process.

Photopia's mask functionality allows for adjustments and refinements post background removal.

For those with Windows, Paint 3D is a powerful and unexpected tool for background removal.

The presenter will provide a video on monetizing AI-generated artwork, covering research, design, and listing.