1. Selection Tools (Best for Images with Defined Edges)
This method involves carefully selecting the subject and then inverting the selection to isolate the background. This works well when there's a clear contrast between the subject and background.
* Tools to Use:
* Selection Brush Tool (Recommended for most cases): Paints a selection, automatically detecting edges. Adjust brush size and hardness for precision.
* Freehand Selection Tool (Lasso Tool): Draws a freeform selection. Good for rough outlines.
* Polygonal Selection Tool: Clicks to create straight-line selections. Useful for images with geometric shapes.
* Rectangular/Elliptical Marquee Tool: Creates rectangular or elliptical selections. Useful for simple shapes.
* Magic Wand Tool: Selects areas of similar color with a single click. Less precise than the Selection Brush.
* Steps:
1. Open Your Image: File > Open, and select your image.
2. Choose a Selection Tool: Select the most appropriate tool based on your image complexity. The Selection Brush Tool is often the best starting point.
3. Make the Selection: Carefully paint or draw around the subject you want to keep. Use `[ ]` (square brackets) keys to increase or decrease the brush size for the Selection Brush.
* Add to Selection: Hold `Shift` while selecting to add to an existing selection.
* Subtract from Selection: Hold `Alt` (or `Option` on Mac) while selecting to subtract from an existing selection.
4. Refine the Selection (Optional but Recommended):
* Refine Edge... (Most Important Step): Go to `Select > Refine Edge...` (or in some versions `Select > Mask > Refine...`).
* View Mode: Choose a view mode like "Overlay" to easily see the masked area.
* Edge Detection: Adjust the "Width" slider to have the software automatically detect more of the edges of the subject.
* Smooth/Feather: Adjust these sliders to smooth out the selection and soften the edges.
* Contrast: Increase the contrast for sharper edges.
* Output: Set the "Output" to "New Layer with Mask" or "Mask". "New Layer with Mask" is generally preferred as it's non-destructive.
* Click "Apply".
5. Invert the Selection: `Select > Invert`. This selects the *background* instead of the subject.
6. Remove the Background:
* Delete: Press the `Delete` key. This will make the background transparent.
* Add a Mask: Click the "Mask" icon at the bottom of the Layers panel. This creates a mask based on your selection, hiding the background. A mask is non-destructive, meaning you can edit it later.
7. (If using a mask): To edit the mask, click on the mask thumbnail in the Layers panel. Use a black brush to hide parts of the image, and a white brush to reveal them.
2. Pen Tool (Best for Complex Shapes and Precise Control)
The Pen Tool creates vector paths that can be converted into selections. It offers the most precision but requires more skill and patience.
* Steps:
1. Open Your Image: File > Open.
2. Select the Pen Tool: Choose the "Pen Tool" from the toolbar.
3. Create a Path: Click to create anchor points along the edge of your subject. Click and drag to create curved segments. Close the path by clicking on the starting point.
4. Convert Path to Selection: In the Layers panel, ensure the Pen Tool layer (Curve) is selected. Then, go to `Select > Selection from Layer`.
5. Refine Selection (Critical): Follow steps 4 and onward from the "Selection Tools" section above, especially the `Refine Edge...` step.
6. Remove the Background: Follow steps 6 and onward from the "Selection Tools" section above.
3. Background Removal Tools (Specifically Designed for Background Removal)
Affinity Photo offers a dedicated background removal tool for some scenarios.
* Tools to Use:
* Remove Background: (Pixel Persona > Layers Panel > Blend Ranges. This is very basic and will rarely work well without adjustments.)
* Blend If: (In Layers Panel, with image layer selected. Blend If allows you to remove the background based on luminance or color. More complex to use.)
* Steps (Remove Background):
1. Open Image: File > Open
2. Select Layer: Select the layer you want to remove the background from.
3. Click 'Remove Background': In the Layers Panel, look under blend ranges for the 'Remove Background' button. Click this.
4. Refine: The Background Removal tool will automatically remove the background. This tool isn't always perfect so you will likely need to refine the mask using a brush with black (to hide) or white (to show) paint.
* Steps (Blend If):
1. Open Image: File > Open
2. Select Layer: Select the layer you want to remove the background from.
3. Open Blend Options: Double-click the Layer in the Layers panel. This will open the Layer Effects panel.
4. Locate Blend If: Look for "Blend If" sliders at the bottom of the Layer Effects panel.
5. Adjust Sliders: The "This Layer" sliders control how the current layer blends with what's below it, based on luminance (brightness). The "Underlying Layer" sliders control how what's below the current layer affects the current layer.
* Dark Background: If the background is darker than the subject, move the black slider on the "This Layer" toward the right. This will make darker areas of the layer transparent. Hold Alt/Option while dragging to split the slider for a smoother transition.
* Light Background: If the background is lighter than the subject, move the white slider on the "This Layer" toward the left.
6. Refine: This tool is often imprecise, so using a mask and painting with black and white will likely be needed to get good results.
General Tips for Better Background Removal:
* High-Resolution Images: The higher the resolution, the more detail you have to work with, and the cleaner your results will be.
* Non-Destructive Editing: Using masks instead of deleting pixels directly allows you to make changes later without losing information.
* Zoom In: Zoom in close (e.g., 200-300%) when making selections around intricate details like hair or fur.
* Experiment with Tools: Don't be afraid to try different tools and combinations of tools to find what works best for each image.
* Practice: Background removal is a skill that improves with practice. The more you do it, the faster and more accurate you'll become.
* Use Edges: Utilizing the edges of the selection tools is usually more effective than filling in the selection.
* Pay Attention to Lighting: Consider the lighting in your image when refining the selection. Feathering or blurring edges can help blend the subject seamlessly into a new background.
* Save as PNG: When saving your image, use the PNG format to preserve transparency. JPEG does not support transparency.
Which Method to Choose:
* Simple Images with Clear Edges: Selection Brush Tool, Rectangular Marquee Tool.
* Complex Shapes with Precise Edges: Pen Tool.
* Images with Smooth Transitions (e.g., Hair): Selection Brush Tool with Refine Edge is crucial.
* When luminance or color is different for the background, relative to the subject: Blend If
By understanding these methods and practicing your skills, you'll be able to effectively remove backgrounds from your photos using Affinity Photo and create stunning visual effects. Remember to experiment and have fun!