The EASIEST Way To Remove Background In Affinity Photo
TLDRThis tutorial demonstrates the simplest method to remove backgrounds in Affinity Photo, including a lesser-known technique for creating pixel-perfect masks. The presenter guides through using the selection brush tool, adjusting brush size, refining selections, and applying masks to isolate the subject. Tips for perfecting the mask, such as using the brush tool to hide or reveal areas, and an advanced overlay mode trick for sharpening edges, are also shared.
Takeaways
- 😀 The tutorial demonstrates the easiest way to remove the background in Affinity Photo.
- 🖌️ It introduces the Selection Brush Tool, which can be accessed by clicking the icon in the toolbar or pressing 'W'.
- 🔧 Adjusting the brush size can be done in the context toolbar or by using the bracket keys on the keyboard.
- 🎨 The process involves dragging the brush over the subject to make a selection, adjusting the brush size for detailed areas like feet and nails.
- 🔍 Zooming in and panning are essential for precise selection, using keyboard shortcuts like 'Command +' and 'Shift + Click Drag'.
- ✂️ To correct over-selections, switch to 'Subtract' mode or hold 'Alt' while dragging over the excess selection.
- 👀 Quick Mask Mode (activated by pressing 'Q') allows for visualizing the selection with a red overlay for deselected areas.
- 🔄 Refining the selection is possible with the 'Refine' button in the context toolbar, improving the accuracy around complex areas.
- 🖼️ After refining, applying the selection finalizes the process, and the mask icon is used to remove the background.
- 🖌️ Fine-tuning the mask involves using a brush to paint over areas that need to be shown or hidden with black or white.
- 🎭 An advanced tip is changing the brush blend mode to 'Overlay' to sharpen the edges of the selection by addressing semi-transparent pixels.
Q & A
What is the easiest way to remove the background in Affinity Photo as demonstrated in the video?
-The easiest way to remove the background in Affinity Photo is by using the Selection Brush Tool, adjusting the brush size with bracket keys, and refining the selection with the refine button in the context toolbar.
How can you adjust the brush size while using the Selection Brush Tool in Affinity Photo?
-You can adjust the brush size by clicking the arrow in the context toolbar and dragging left and right, or by using the right bracket key to increase the size and the left bracket key to decrease it.
What keyboard shortcut can be used to zoom in on an image in Affinity Photo?
-The keyboard shortcut to zoom in on an image is 'Command +' on a Mac or 'Control +' on Windows.
How do you switch between adding and subtracting from the selection when using the Selection Brush Tool?
-You can switch modes in the toolbar or hold the Alt/Option key on your keyboard while clicking and dragging over the area you want to subtract from the selection.
What is Quick Mask Mode in Affinity Photo, and how do you activate it?
-Quick Mask Mode allows you to see the selected and deselected areas of your image. You can activate it by pressing the 'Q' key or clicking the Quick Mask Mode button in the toolbar.
How can you refine your selection in Affinity Photo to improve the mask?
-You can refine your selection by pressing the refine button in the context toolbar, which allows you to brush over areas that need a closer look for better selection.
What is the purpose of the Mask icon in Affinity Photo, and how do you use it?
-The Mask icon is used to apply the selection as a mask, effectively removing the background. You use it by clicking the icon after refining your selection.
How can you view the mask on a layer in Affinity Photo?
-You can view the mask by holding the Alt/Option key and clicking on the layer thumbnail in the layers panel.
What tool can you use to fix imperfections in the mask after applying it?
-You can use the Brush Tool to paint over areas in black to hide them or in white to show them, fine-tuning the mask to perfection.
How does changing the blend mode to Overlay with the Brush Tool help in refining the mask?
-Changing the blend mode to Overlay allows you to target and refine the partially transparent pixels, creating a sharper and more precise selection.
What keyboard shortcut can be used to swap between black and white in the mask?
-The keyboard shortcut 'X' can be used to swap between black and white in the mask for easier refinement.
Outlines
🎨 'Easy Background Removal in Affinity Photo'
This paragraph demonstrates the process of removing the background from an image using Affinity Photo. The tutorial begins with selecting the 'Selection Brush Tool' and adjusting the brush size using bracket keys. It guides through making a rough selection, refining it by zooming in and using the 'Refine' button in the context toolbar. The presenter also explains how to correct over-selections by switching to 'Subtract' mode or holding 'Alt' while dragging over the excess area. The selection is then checked in 'Quick Mask Mode', and the refine process is repeated for better accuracy. The paragraph concludes with applying the refined selection to mask out the background.
🖌️ 'Perfecting Pixel Perfect Masks in Affinity Photo'
The second paragraph focuses on perfecting the mask after the initial background removal. It starts by discussing how to view and edit the mask, addressing imperfections with the brush tool to hide or reveal parts of the image. The tutorial advises on making the brush smaller for precision and using the 'X' key to switch between black and white in the mask. An advanced tip is shared about changing the blend mode to 'Overlay' to sharpen the edges of the selection by targeting partially transparent pixels. The paragraph ends with a suggestion to go around the image to ensure a sharp selection and a call to action for likes and subscriptions for more content.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Affinity Photo
💡Selection Brush Tool
💡Context Toolbar
💡Quick Mask Mode
💡Refine Selection
💡Mask
💡Blend Mode
💡Keyboard Shortcuts
💡Workflow Booster Cheat Sheet
💡Pixel Perfect Masks
💡Deselect
Highlights
The tutorial demonstrates the easiest way to remove background in Affinity Photo.
A powerful technique for creating pixel-perfect masks is revealed at the end.
The Selection Brush Tool is introduced for initial subject selection.
Adjusting brush size using the bracket keys for precision.
Zooming and panning techniques for detailed selection.
Correcting over-selection using the Subtract mode or Alt/Option key.
Quick Mask Mode for checking the selection with a red overlay.
Workflow booster cheat sheet available for download to remember shortcuts.
Refining the selection with the refine button for better accuracy.
Using the matte brush to address blurry or imperfect selections.
Applying the refined selection to finalize the background removal.
Masking out the background with the mask icon.
Deselecting the selection using command D or the red cross icon.
Viewing and adjusting the mask for perfect selection.
Using the brush tool to fine-tune the mask by painting black and white.
Swapping between black and white in the mask with the keyboard shortcut X.
An advanced tip to sharpen selections using the Overlay blend mode.
Finalizing the mask for a sharp and clean subject selection.
The video concludes with a call to action for likes and subscriptions.