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

PiXimperfect
10 May 202324:57

TLDRIn this Photoshop tutorial, the presenter reveals 11 shortcuts for removing backgrounds from images with just one click. The video covers various techniques suitable for different situations, such as using the 'remove background' button for locked layers, creating actions to automate the process, and employing color range selection for images with distinct color backgrounds. The tutorial also addresses high-contrast scenarios and provides solutions to common issues like halos around the subject. Additionally, the presenter discusses batch processing for handling multiple images and introduces the Pixel Perfect compositing plugin for advanced masking and compositing. The video concludes with a reminder to understand the concepts rather than memorizing steps and offers free resources for learning Photoshop.

Takeaways

  • 🎨 **One-Click Background Removal**: Photoshop has a secret button that can remove the background with a single click, especially useful for e-commerce where you need to process multiple images.
  • 🌟 **Hue Saturation Adjustment**: When removing green backgrounds, a hue saturation adjustment layer can be used to target and remove specific colors, like greens, from the image.
  • 🔍 **Select and Mask Tool**: For high-contrast images, using the 'Select and Mask' tool with smart radius can refine the edges of the selection, making them smoother and more accurate.
  • 📂 **Batch Processing**: Photoshop actions can be recorded and batch processed to automatically remove backgrounds from a series of images, saving time and effort.
  • 🎭 **Refine Hair Feature**: In newer versions of Photoshop, the 'Refine Hair' feature can be used to improve the mask around complex hair or fur.
  • 🖌️ **Manual Touch-ups**: Even with automated actions, manual touch-ups using the refine edge brush tool might be necessary for certain images to achieve perfect results.
  • 🔗 **Actions and Shortcuts**: Custom actions can be created and assigned to function keys for quick and repeated tasks, such as background removal.
  • 📈 **Smart Radius**: The smart radius feature in 'Select and Mask' can be adjusted to better handle the edges of a selection, particularly useful for images with soft edges.
  • 📷 **Color Range for Specific Backgrounds**: The color range tool can be utilized to select and remove specific colors from the background, which is helpful when the background shares a distinct color with the subject.
  • 🔄 **Blend Modes for Contrast Issues**: Using blend modes like 'Multiply' or 'Screen' can help manage contrast issues between the subject and the background during the removal process.
  • 🔗 **Pixel Perfect Compositing Plugin**: Third-party plugins like Pixel Perfect can simplify the compositing process and are compatible with Photoshop, offering additional tools for background removal.

Q & A

  • What is the secret button that can be pressed to remove the background in Photoshop?

    -The secret button referred to in the transcript is the 'Remove Background' button found in the properties panel of a selected layer in Photoshop. However, this button only appears when the layer is unlocked.

  • How can one take advantage of a green background in Photoshop to remove it?

    -To take advantage of a green background, you can use the 'Select and Mask' tool to target and remove the green color, creating a mask that isolates the subject from the background.

  • What is the benefit of using a secret program for batch processing images in e-commerce?

    -The benefit of using a secret program for batch processing is the ability to quickly and efficiently remove backgrounds from multiple images without having to open each one in Photoshop, thus saving time and effort.

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

    -To create an action, start recording an action, select a selection tool like Object Selection, Quick Selection, or Magic Wand, then use 'Select Subject' and the 'Mask' button to perform the selection masking. Save the action for future use with a shortcut or for batch processing.

  • What is the role of the 'Select and Mask' dialog in refining the edges of a selection?

    -The 'Select and Mask' dialog allows for advanced refinement of the selection's edges. Features like 'Smart Radius' and 'Refine Hair' can be used to create smoother and more accurate masks, especially around complex areas like hair or fur.

  • How can one remove color halos that appear around the edges of a subject after using the multiply blend mode?

    -To remove color halos after using the multiply blend mode, one can create a layer mask on the multiply layer and paint with a black brush to hide the halos from the edges, revealing the original image beneath.

  • What is the purpose of the 'Decontaminate Colors' option in the 'Select and Mask' workspace?

    -The 'Decontaminate Colors' option extends the image while keeping the mask the same, which helps to remove color fringes or halos around the edges of the selection by creating a new layer with a layer mask.

  • How can one use the 'Color Range' selection to remove a specific color from an image?

    -Using the 'Color Range' selection, one can click on the specific color to be removed, adjust the fuzziness if needed, and then create a mask to remove that color. The 'Select Similar' option can further refine the selection to include similar areas of the chosen color.

  • What is the recommended way to fully automate the background removal process for a set of images with the same background color?

    -To fully automate the process, one can record an action that includes selecting the specific background color using 'Color Range', creating a mask, applying 'Smart Radius', and adding a 'Hue/Saturation' adjustment layer to target and remove the background color.

  • How can one use the 'Screen' blend mode to deal with high-contrast images in Photoshop?

    -The 'Screen' blend mode can be used to lighten areas where the subject and background have high contrast. It can be applied to a layer to reduce the appearance of halos caused by dark hair or fur against a bright background.

  • What is the process of creating a droplet in Photoshop for batch processing images?

    -To create a droplet, one records an action for the background removal process, then goes to File > Automate > Create Droplet. The droplet is saved and can be used to automatically process images by simply dragging and dropping them onto the droplet.

Outlines

00:00

🎨 Photoshop Background Removal Techniques

This paragraph introduces various methods to remove backgrounds in Photoshop. It emphasizes the flexibility and accuracy that professionals require, suggesting that Photoshop is the ideal tool for this task. The speaker outlines a simple shortcut to remove backgrounds using the 'remove background' button in the properties panel, and also discusses creating actions to automate the process. The paragraph also touches on the importance of understanding different situations that require unique background removal methods and provides an action called 'pix background removal' for free download.

05:01

🔍 Refining Edges and Color Range for Accurate Selections

The second paragraph delves into refining the edges of a selection and using the color range tool for more accuracy. It discusses the use of 'select and mask' with smart radius for better edge detection and introduces a 'refine hair' feature for images with hair or fur. The paragraph also covers creating custom actions to automate these processes and addresses how to deal with halos around the edges of a subject using blend modes like multiply and screen, as well as the Pixel Perfect compositing plugin.

10:02

🌈 Automating Color Background Removal with Select and Mask

This paragraph focuses on automating the removal of color backgrounds using the 'select and mask' feature and color range. It explains how to create an action that selects a specific color and applies a mask, using 'select similar' to refine the selection. The paragraph also details how to use smart radius to soften harsh edges and create a clipping mask with hue/saturation adjustment for color correction. It concludes with information on fully automating the process when the background color is consistent across multiple images.

15:04

📸 Handling High Contrast Images and Shadow Extraction

The fourth paragraph addresses the challenges of removing backgrounds from high contrast images and extracting shadows. It explains how to use blend modes like multiply and screen to correct halos around the subject's edges and how to manually paint away unwanted effects. The paragraph also covers actions created for scenarios with and without the need for a mask and introduces the use of the Pixel Perfect compositing plugin for simplifying the process.

20:06

🏭 Batch Processing for Mass Background Removal

The final paragraph discusses batch processing in Photoshop for removing backgrounds from a large number of images. It guides through creating a droplet that automates the process, allowing users to process multiple images without opening Photoshop manually. The paragraph explains how to set up the action for smart radius automation, record the save process, and create a droplet for automatic file saving and exporting. It also touches on the concept of variables for automating tasks like inserting names in designs and provides resources for learning more about Photoshop.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Remove Background

The process of eliminating the backdrop of an image to isolate the subject, which is central to the video's theme. In the context of the video, 'Remove Background' is achieved through various Photoshop techniques and shortcuts, showcasing how to create a transparent background for subjects like e-commerce products.

💡Secret Button

Refers to a hidden or less-known feature within Photoshop that, when pressed, performs a specific function, such as removing the background. The video emphasizes the use of such shortcuts to streamline the editing process.

💡Hue Saturation Adjustment Layer

A tool in Photoshop used to modify the color properties of an image. In the video, it is employed to target and remove specific colors, such as unwanted greens, from the edges of a subject after the background has been removed.

💡E-commerce

Relates to the video's application of background removal techniques for commercial purposes, specifically in the context of online retail. The script mentions the need to prepare images with transparent backgrounds for website display.

💡Action

In Photoshop, an 'Action' is a recorded set of instructions that automate repetitive tasks. The video provides a tutorial on creating and using actions to expedite the background removal process, which is a significant part of the content.

💡Select Subject

A feature in Photoshop that attempts to automatically detect and select the main subject of an image. The video discusses how to use 'Select Subject' in conjunction with other tools for more accurate background removal.

💡Smart Radius

A refinement tool within the 'Select and Mask' feature of Photoshop that helps to smooth out the edges of a selection. The video demonstrates how to use 'Smart Radius' to improve the quality of the mask around a subject.

💡Refine Hair

A specific function in Photoshop designed to improve the selection and masking of fine details like hair. The video script illustrates its use in enhancing the precision of background removal for images with intricate details.

💡Color Range

A selection tool that allows for the identification and removal of a specific color or range of colors from an image. The video utilizes 'Color Range' to automate the removal of background colors in certain situations.

💡Batch Processing

The automated processing of multiple images or tasks in succession. The video concludes with a discussion on how to apply the learned techniques to a large set of images for efficient background removal.

💡Droplet

In the context of Photoshop, a 'Droplet' is a feature that allows for the quick application of an action to multiple files or a folder of files. The video script explains how to create a droplet for batch processing images.

Highlights

Photoshop has a secret button that can remove the background in one click.

Utilize the 'remove background' button after unlocking the layer for quick background removal.

Create an action for consistent background removal across multiple images.

Select subject and use the mask button for basic background removal.

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

Refine Hair feature in Select and Mask is useful for detailed hair or fur.

Decontaminate Colors can help remove halos around the subject.

Select Color Range is effective for images with a color-separated background.

Create a clipping mask to limit Hue/Saturation adjustments to the subject layer.

Batch processing can automate background removal for multiple images.

Use blend modes like Multiply or Screen to manage contrast issues between subject and background.

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

Create a droplet for drag-and-drop automation of the background removal process.

Actions and droplets can be combined for a fully automated workflow in Photoshop.

Understand the concepts of Photoshop for creating custom steps and actions.

Free actions and tutorials are available for learning and streamlining the editing process.

Batch processing is ideal for e-commerce where multiple images require background removal.

Learn how to use actions and build them for independence from pre-made actions.