Gimp: Remove The Background And Make It Transparent

gimp workshop
17 Jan 201906:43

TLDRIn this Gimp Workshop tutorial, beginners learn to remove the background from an image and make it transparent. The process starts with opening an image in Gimp, adding an alpha channel for transparency, and using the free select tool to select the subject. After refining the selection with the subtract mode and feathering the edges for a natural look, the background is removed by inverting the selection and clearing it. The tutorial also addresses the challenge of selecting hair. Finally, the image is exported with transparency as a PNG file. This step-by-step guide is designed to help users create professional-looking images with transparent backgrounds using Gimp.

Takeaways

  • 🖼️ Open the image in GIMP by going to File > Open and selecting the image file.
  • 🔍 Use the zoom feature to fit the image in the window if it's too large.
  • 🎨 Add an alpha channel to the layer to allow for transparency by going to Layer > Transparency > Add Alpha Channel.
  • ✂️ Select the subject of the image using the Free Select Tool.
  • 🔄 Press and hold the mouse wheel to temporarily switch to the Move Tool for repositioning the image.
  • 👌 Stay within the boundaries of the subject when making a selection for a cleaner result.
  • 💇‍♀️ Selecting hair can be challenging, but the tutorial will cover techniques to improve the result.
  • 🔲 Use the 'Subtract from current selection' mode to remove internal areas from the selection.
  • 🌐 Feather the selection by 5 pixels for a softer edge.
  • 🗑️ Invert the selection and clear the background to make it transparent.
  • 🖌️ Use the Smudge Tool with a suitable brush size to smooth out the hair edges.
  • 📤 Export the image with a .png extension to maintain the transparency by going to File > Export As and selecting PNG Image.

Q & A

  • What is the first step to remove the background from an image in Gimp?

    -The first step is to open Gimp, go to File in the menu bar, then go to Open, and select the image you want to use.

  • How can you adjust the view of the image if it does not fit in the Gimp window?

    -You can go to View, Zoom, and select 'Fit Image in Window' to adjust the view.

  • What does adding an alpha channel to a layer in Gimp indicate?

    -Adding an alpha channel indicates that the layer can now have transparency.

  • Which tool in Gimp is recommended for beginners to select the subject of an image?

    -The Free Select Tool is recommended for beginners to select the subject of an image.

  • How can you deselect the current selection in Gimp after you have made your selection?

    -You can deselect the current selection by going to Select and clicking on 'None'.

  • What is the purpose of feathering the selection line in Gimp?

    -Feathering the selection line with a certain number of pixels makes the edge of the selection look more natural instead of being hard and sharp.

  • How do you invert the selection in Gimp to target the background instead of the subject?

    -You can invert the selection by going to Select and clicking on 'Invert'.

  • What does the checkerboard structure represent in Gimp after removing the background?

    -The checkerboard structure represents transparency in Gimp.

  • How do you export an image with transparency from Gimp?

    -To export an image with transparency, you need to go to File, click on 'Export As', choose the destination folder, name your file, ensure the file type is set to PNG to maintain transparency, and then click 'Export'.

  • Why is the PNG format preferred when exporting an image with transparency?

    -The PNG format is preferred because it supports transparency, which is essential for images where the background has been removed.

  • How can you move the image within the Gimp workspace during the selection process?

    -You can move the image by pressing and holding the middle mouse wheel and moving the mouse, or by using the scroll bars.

  • What tool in Gimp can be used to improve the natural look of the hair edges in an image?

    -The Smudge Tool with an appropriate brush size can be used to smudge the edge of the hair and make it look more natural.

Outlines

00:00

🖼️ Removing Background and Adding Transparency in GIMP

This paragraph provides a step-by-step guide on how to remove the background from an image and make it transparent using GIMP. It starts with opening the image in GIMP and fitting it to the window if necessary. The user is instructed to add an alpha channel for transparency, then use the free select tool to outline the subject of the image. Various techniques are discussed, such as using the move tool, feathering the selection for a natural edge, and inverting the selection to target the background. The background is removed using the clear function, and the selection is deselected. The paragraph concludes with tips on improving the hair selection for a more natural look using the smudge tool.

05:10

📚 Exporting the Image with Transparency in GIMP

The second paragraph focuses on the process of exporting the image with transparency from GIMP. It emphasizes that users should use the 'export as' option instead of 'save as' to maintain transparency. The user is guided to navigate to the desired destination folder, name the file, and ensure the file type is set to PNG, which supports transparency. The final steps involve exporting the image and confirming the export in the dialog box. The paragraph ends with a call to action, encouraging viewers to like the video and leave comments.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Gimp

Gimp is a free and open-source raster graphics editor used for image manipulation and editing, similar to Adobe Photoshop. In the context of the video, Gimp is the primary software tool used to demonstrate how to remove an image's background and make it transparent.

💡Background Removal

Background removal is the process of eliminating the backdrop of an image to isolate the subject, which can then be placed on a different background or made transparent. The video's main theme is teaching viewers how to remove the background in Gimp, which is essential for creating images with a transparent background.

💡Transparency

Transparency in digital images refers to the presence of fully or partially transparent areas, often represented by a checkerboard pattern in editing software. The video aims to make the background of an image transparent, which is useful for various applications like web design or further editing.

💡Free Select Tool

The Free Select Tool in Gimp is used for making complex selections by clicking and dragging the mouse to outline the desired area. In the tutorial, this tool is employed to select the subject of the image, which is the first step towards removing the background.

💡Alpha Channel

An Alpha Channel is an additional color channel in an image that specifically defines the opacity level of each pixel, allowing for transparency effects. The script instructs viewers to add an Alpha Channel to the layer, which is necessary for creating transparency in the image.

💡Zoom and Fit Image

Zooming and fitting the image in the window are actions used to adjust the view of the image to better select and edit it. The video mentions these actions to help users navigate the image more effectively during the selection and editing process.

💡Move Tool

The Move Tool in Gimp allows users to reposition the selected area or the entire image within the workspace. It is used in the video to shift the image for better access to different parts of the subject during the selection process.

💡Selection

Selection in image editing refers to the process of defining a specific area of the image for manipulation, such as moving, editing, or applying effects. The video focuses on accurately selecting the subject to prepare for background removal.

💡Invert Selection

Inverting a selection means changing the selected area to the unselected area and vice versa. In the context of the video, inverting the selection is a step used to target the background for removal instead of the subject.

💡Smudge Tool

The Smudge Tool in Gimp is used to blend or smear parts of an image, creating a more natural look. The video demonstrates using the Smudge Tool to smooth out the edges of the subject's hair after the background has been removed.

💡Exporting

Exporting in Gimp refers to the process of saving the edited image in a specific file format. The video emphasizes exporting the image as a PNG to preserve the transparency, which is a crucial step in completing the task.

💡PNG Image

PNG stands for Portable Network Graphics and is a file format known for its ability to support transparency. The video instructs viewers to export their images as PNG files to maintain the transparent background they have created.

Highlights

This tutorial teaches beginners how to remove the background from an image and make it transparent using GIMP.

Open GIMP and navigate to File > Open to select the image for editing.

Use the 'Fit Image in Window' feature if the image is too large to fit the screen.

Add an alpha channel to the layer to enable transparency.

Select the subject of the image using the Free Select Tool.

Hold Ctrl and zoom in for more precise selection.

Select nodes or drag to create a line to define the subject's outline.

Use the Backspace key to undo previous nodes for adjustments.

Switch to the Move Tool by holding the mouse wheel to reposition the image.

Stay within the boundaries of the subject when making selections, especially for intricate details like hair.

Connect the last node to the first to complete the selection.

Remove internal areas of the selection using the 'Subtract from current selection' mode.

Feather the selection by 5 pixels for a softer edge.

Invert the selection to target the background for removal.

Clear the selected background to reveal the transparency.

Deselect the selection to prepare for further editing.

Use the Smudge Tool with a suitable brush size to smooth out the hair edges.

Export the image with a PNG extension to maintain transparency.

Navigate to File > Export As to save the image with the transparent background.

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