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 images. The first method involves using Photopia, a web-based alternative to Photoshop, which offers two options: the 'Remove BG' feature for automatic background removal and the magic wand tool for manual selection. The second method is Erase.bg, a website that removes backgrounds with a simple drag-and-drop interface, though it offers less control over the final result. Lastly, Paint 3D, a Windows application, is highlighted for its 'Magic Select' feature, which allows for precise background removal with the option to refine the selection. The video emphasizes the importance of having clear outlines and high-quality images for easier background removal and provides tips for refining the process using mask functionality in Photopia.

Takeaways

  • 🎨 **Use Clear Outlines**: When generating AI artwork, use prompts that create clear outlines to facilitate easier background removal.
  • 📈 **Image Quality Matters**: Upscale images at least four times before background removal to avoid poor results.
  • 🖼️ **Photopea as an Alternative**: Photopea is a free web-based alternative to Photoshop for background removal with two methods: 'Remove BG' and the 'Magic Wand Tool'.
  • 🔍 **Refine with Masks**: After using selection tools, refine the cutout using mask functionality for more control.
  • 🌐 **Erase.bg for Simplicity**: Erase.bg is a straightforward, free website for single-image background removal with less control but high convenience.
  • 🏗️ **Paint 3D for Windows Users**: Paint 3D, a free tool for Windows, offers 'Magic Select' for background removal with the option to refine selections.
  • 📐 **Tolerance Adjustment**: When using the Magic Wand Tool, adjust the tolerance based on your design for better selection results.
  • 🔄 **Add or Remove from Selections**: Use the Shift key to add or remove parts of the selection that were not initially chosen.
  • 🖌️ **Brush Tool for Mask Adjustments**: Use the brush tool to make fine adjustments to the mask, either erasing or painting back parts of the design.
  • 💡 **Tips for Edge Quality**: Ensure the edges are not blurry for a professional look, which can be achieved by proper selection and mask refinement.
  • 💻 **Exporting Options**: After background removal, you can increase the image size and export it in PNG format with transparency.

Q & A

  • What are the three free methods mentioned in the video for removing backgrounds from AI generated images?

    -The three free methods mentioned are using Photopia, a web-based alternative to Photoshop; Erase.bg, a website that removes backgrounds automatically; and Paint 3D, a software available for Windows users.

  • Why is having the right kind of graphics or generating the right graphics with the correct prompts important for background removal?

    -Having the right graphics or prompts with clear outlines is crucial because it makes the background removal process easier. Without a clear outline, it becomes significantly harder to separate the background from the design.

  • What is the recommended action to take before removing the background from an image?

    -The recommended action is to upscale the image at least four times its original size to ensure a good result when the background is removed.

  • How does Photopia's 'remove BG' feature work?

    -In Photopia, after uploading the image, you can go to 'select' and then click 'remove BG'. It will attempt to identify and remove the background, which might not be perfect but can save time for certain graphics.

  • What is the alternative method to remove the background in Photopia?

    -The alternative method is using the magic wand tool, which requires adjusting the tolerance to select the background and then inverting the selection to apply a raster mask to the layer.

  • How can you refine the background removal in Photopia after using the selection tool?

    -You can refine the background removal by using the mask functionality, where you can use the brush tool to erase certain items from the mask or paint objects back in.

  • What is the main limitation of using Erase.bg for background removal?

    -The main limitation is that it offers less control over the final result. If the automatic removal doesn't turn out as expected, there are limited options for editing the selection.

  • How does Paint 3D's Magic Select tool work for removing backgrounds?

    -In Paint 3D, you can use the Magic Select tool to select the part of the background you want to remove. It will then automatically select and remove the background. You can refine the selection using the 'refine' options.

  • What is the advantage of using Paint 3D for background removal?

    -Paint 3D is a free piece of software that comes with Windows and does a good job at removing backgrounds, offering a cost-effective solution for users who do not have access to Photoshop.

  • What is the recommended action after removing the background in Paint 3D?

    -After removing the background, you should turn off the canvas display, adjust the image dimensions, and ensure transparency is ticked before saving the file to your PC.

  • What is the significance of upscaling the image before removing the background?

    -Upscaling the image improves the quality of the final result. If the image is too small, such as around 1000 pixels, the background removal process will yield poor results.

  • How does the process of background removal differ between Photopia and Erase.bg?

    -Photopia provides more control and options for manual adjustments after the initial background removal, whereas Erase.bg is more automated and offers less flexibility for fine-tuning the results.

Outlines

00:00

🎨 Photoshop Alternatives for Background Removal

The video introduces three free methods to remove the background from AI-generated artwork, acknowledging that while Photoshop offers more control, it may not be accessible to everyone. The importance of having the right graphics with clear outlines is emphasized for easier background removal. The video also stresses the need for high-quality images, suggesting upscaling to at least four times the original size before proceeding. The first method presented is Photopia, a web-based alternative to Photoshop, which allows for background removal through either the 'remove BG' selection or the magic wand tool. The video demonstrates how to use these tools, including tips for refining the mask functionality in Photopia for better results. The process concludes with resizing and exporting the image.

05:00

🌟 Free Online Tools for Background Erasure

The second paragraph discusses two additional free tools for removing backgrounds from images. The first tool mentioned is Erase.bg, a website that allows users to simply drag and drop their image for automatic background removal. While it may not offer as much control over the final result, it is praised for its ease of use and the fact that it's free for single-image processing. The video shows a comparison between the original image and the background-removed version, noting that it works well for less complex graphics but can struggle with more intricate designs. The second tool introduced is Paint 3D, a Windows application that provides a 'Magic select' feature for background removal. The video demonstrates how to use this feature, including how to refine selections and adjust the image for a clean removal of the background. The process ends with hiding the canvas, saving the image with transparency, and exporting it, resulting in a high-quality background-removed image.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡AI generated artwork

AI generated artwork refers to images or designs created using artificial intelligence. In the video, the focus is on editing these AI-generated images to remove their backgrounds, which is a common step in digital art processing. The script discusses the importance of having a clear outline in AI-generated graphics to facilitate the background removal process.

💡Photoshop

Photoshop is a widely used software for image editing, graphics creation, and digital art. It is mentioned in the video as the creator's preferred tool for removing backgrounds due to the control it offers over the final result. However, the video also aims to provide alternatives for those without access to or preference for Photoshop.

💡Stroke

In the context of the video, a stroke refers to the line that outlines a shape or object in a graphic. Adding a stroke to an AI-generated image can help create a clear boundary between the subject and the background, making it easier to remove the background during the editing process.

💡Upscale

Upscaling is the process of increasing the resolution of an image. The video emphasizes the importance of upscaling AI-generated images at least four times before attempting to remove the background to achieve a better result, as low-resolution images can lead to poor outcomes.

💡Photopea

Photopea is a web-based alternative to Photoshop. It is introduced in the video as the first free alternative for removing backgrounds from images. The script explains how to use Photopea's 'remove BG' feature and the magic wand tool to select and remove backgrounds, similar to techniques used in Photoshop.

💡Erase.bg

Erase.bg is a website that automatically removes the background from images. It is presented as the second free option in the video. The process is described as being more straightforward and less hands-on compared to Photopea, making it accessible to users with less technical ability. However, it offers less control over the final result.

💡Paint 3D

Paint 3D is a free software available for Windows users, which is highlighted as the third option for background removal. The video demonstrates how to use the 'Magic select' feature in Paint 3D to make selections and refine them for a clean background removal. It is noted that this tool is not available for Mac or Apple users.

💡Raster Mask

A raster mask is a tool used in image editing software to hide or reveal parts of an image. In the context of the video, adding a raster mask in Photopea after using the magic wand tool helps refine the selection and remove the background more accurately.

💡Transparency

Transparency in digital images refers to areas of the image that have no color or information, allowing underlying layers or a different background to be visible. The video discusses the importance of exporting images with a transparent background, which is particularly useful for applications like stickers or web graphics.

💡Bulk Processing

Bulk processing refers to the ability to process multiple images at once. The video mentions that while Erase.bg offers free single-image background removal, there is a cost associated with bulk processing. This feature is useful for users needing to remove backgrounds from a large number of images efficiently.

💡Quality

Quality is a measure of how clear and detailed an image is. The video script stresses the importance of image quality in the context of background removal, noting that higher quality images (with higher resolution) are less likely to result in a poor outcome when the background is removed.

Highlights

Three free methods are presented to remove the background from AI-generated artwork.

Photoshop is a preferred tool for control over the final result, but free alternatives are also discussed.

Clear outline and quality of graphics are crucial for easier background removal.

Upscaling images at least four times before background removal is recommended for better results.

Photopea is introduced as a web-based alternative to Photoshop for background removal.

The 'Remove BG' feature in Photopea automates background identification and removal.

The Magic Wand tool in Photopea is used for manual selection and refinement of the background removal.

Erase.bg is a free website for single-image background removal with a simple drag-and-drop interface.

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

Paint 3D, a Windows application, offers a Magic Select feature for background removal.

Paint 3D allows for manual adjustments and refinements to the selection of the background.

The process of exporting images with a transparent background using Paint 3D is demonstrated.

Tips for refining the cutout using the mask functionality in Photopea are provided.

The importance of having a clear shape and outline in the design for easier background removal is emphasized.

The video offers tutorials on using Photoshop for background removal in T-shirt design and print on demand.

For complex graphics, Erase.bg may not be ideal and could remove parts of the design.

Paint 3D is not available for Mac or Apple users, being exclusive to Windows.

A full process for making money with AI-generated artwork, including research, design, and listing, is promised in a follow-up video.