How to Make Parts of An Image Transparent in Photoshop

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Make transparent layers, selections, and brush strokes
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Photoshop is the industry standard when it comes to photo editing and manipulation. Photoshop has a variety of tools that allow you to create images with transparent layers, transparent backgrounds, blend layers, remove backgrounds on layers and create a clipping mask on a layer. This wikiHow article teaches you how to create transparencies in Adobe Photoshop with expert tips from marketing director and graphic design specialist Richard Marczewski Jr.

Quickly Add a Transparent Background

  1. Select a Layer.
  2. Click Select > Select and Mask .
  3. Use the tools to select the parts of an image you want to keep.
  4. Use the options to the left to refine the edges of your selection.
  5. Select Layer Mask next to “Output To.”
  6. Click Ok .
Method 1
Method 1 of 4:

Making Layers Transparent

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  1. You can find the Layers panel to the right by default. Click the layer you want to make transparent.
    • By default, you cannot make the background layer transparent. If you don’t have any other layers, you can click the icon that resembles a blank sheet of paper at the bottom of the Layers panel to create a new layer, or you can right-click the background Layer and click Duplicate Layer to duplicate it.
  2. 2
    Lower the opacity. According to Marczewski, you should see a drop-down menu labeled “Opacity” in the upper-right corner of the Layers panel. Click this and use the slider bar to lower the opacity. This will increase the layer transparency. When the opacity is at 0%, the layer is completely invisible. When the opacity is at 100%, the transparency is completely solid.
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  3. 3
    Select a blending mode. Use the drop-down menu “Normal” by default to select a blending mode. It’s next to the “Opacity” drop-down menu. This allows you to select a blending mode, which alters the way the transparency blends with the layers below it. Try different modes to see what looks best.
  4. 4
    Save your image. To do so, click File, followed by Save as in the menu bar at the top. Enter a file name for the image and select a file format next to “Format.” Click Save.
    • If the image has a transparent background, you will need to save it as a file format that supports transparency. It is recommended that you save it as a PNG image. If the image does not have a transparent background, you can save the image as a JPEG image.
    • Save the file as a PSD file so you can edit it in Photoshop later on if needed.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 4:

Creating a Transparent Document

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  1. 1
    Create a new document. To do so, click New on the title screen when you open Photoshop, or click File , followed by New in the menu bar at the top.
    • By default, when you open an image in Photoshop, it does not have a transparent background. However, there are times when you may need a transparent background (i.e., designing a logo). If you need a transparent background layer for a new image, you will need to specify that when creating a new Photoshop document.
  2. 2
    Enter your document dimensions. When you create a new Photoshop file, it asks you to enter the dimensions for your document. Select a unit type (i.e., pixels, inches, centimeters) and enter the number of units in the boxes labeled “Height” and “Width.”
  3. 3
    Select “Transparent” as the background contents. Use the drop-down below “Background Contents” to select “Transparent.” This will create a new document with a transparent background instead of the default white background.
    • If you’ve already created an image with a white background, you can change this in newer versions of Photoshop. To do so, click the Properties tab in the panel to the right. If you don’t see this option, click Window at the top, followed by Properties . Then select “Transparent” in the drop-down menu next to “Fill.”
  4. 4
    Click Create . It’s the blue button in the lower-right corner. This creates a new document. You will see a checkerboard pattern as the background. This indicates the background is transparent.
  5. 5
    Edit your image. When you create shapes, draw, or import images, they will be placed on a transparent background. You can use the tools to edit your image however you wish.
  6. 6
    Save the image as a PNG and PSD file. To do so, click File, followed by Save as. Enter a file name for the file, and then select the format you want to save the file as under “Format.”
    • Save your file as a PSD file so that you can edit it in Photoshop in the future. If you want to distribute the image with a transparent background, you will need to save it as a PNG file. JPEG (JPG) images do not support transparent backgrounds.
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Method 3
Method 3 of 4:

Removing a Background

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  1. 1
    Duplicate the background layer. To do so, right-click the background layer and click Duplicate . This will create a copy of the background layer as a new layer.
    • By default, you cannot delete the background layer, but you can hide it. In order to do so, you need to have another layer in your document.
    • Duplicating the background leaves a copy of the original image intact in case you mess something up. You can always revert back to the original image.
  2. 2
    Click the eyeball icon next to the background layer. This hides the background layer.
    • If you hide all the other layers, you will see the checkerboard pattern, indicating a transparent background.
  3. 3
    Open the Select and Mask workspace. The Select and Mask workspace has tools that allow you to quickly select sections of the image you want to keep and delete (or mask) the sections you don’t want to keep. To open the Select and Mask workspace, select the layer you want to add, and then click Select in the menu bar at the top, and then click Select and Mask .
  4. 4
    Use the tools to select the parts of the image you want to keep. There are a variety of tools in the Select and Mask workspace that you can use to make selections. According to Marczewski, you can make selections easily using AI. The selected parts will appear in full color. The unselected part will appear transparent over a checkerboard pattern. The following are some of the tools you can use. [1]
    • Click Select Subject at the top to have Photoshop detect the subject of the image automatically and create a selection. Photoshop may not create a perfect selection. You may need to do a little work to refine the selection.
      • Click Refine hair next to the Select Subject to try to detect hair and hard-to-capture spots.
      • Use the drop-down menu next to the Subject Select button to select a detection method. Using Device will provide quick but less accurate results. Selecting Cloud will use Adobe’s servers to provide a more accurate result.
    • Use the Quick Select tool to select the parts of the image you want to keep by painting over them. Photoshop will automatically detect the edges of the shapes you are trying to select as you paint over them. The Quick Select tool resembles a paintbrush over a dotted circle.
    • The Brush tool allows you to add or remove parts of your selection by painting over it. It’s the tool that resembles a brush. When you select this tool, you can control how big the brush is at the top and what type of brush you want to use. You can also click the plus and minus icons to switch to Add to Selection mode or Subtract from Selection mode.
    • The Object Selection tool allows you to select basic shapes, such as a rectangle or ellipse. It has an icon that resembles a dotted rectangle. Click and hold this icon to display the marquee (rectangle) selection tool and the ellipse (round) selection tool.
    • The Lasso tool allows you to trace an outline of the selection you want to keep by tracing around the edges. It resembles a lasso in the toolbar to the left. Just as with the brush tool, you can add to your selection or subtract from your selection by clicking the plus or minus sign at the top of the screen.
      • There are different types of Lasso tools you can use. Click and hold the Lasso tool in the toolbar to display the different Lasso tool options. The magnetic lasso tools will try to automatically detect the edges of the shape you are tracing as you trace. The polygon lasso tool allows you to click to create polygonal lines around the object for more control.
  5. 5
    Refine the edges of your selection. You can use the slider bars in the panel to the right to refine the edges of your selection. The amount you will need to adjust will vary from image to image. Adjust each slider bar as needed. The options are as follows:
    • Radius: Use the slider bar below “Radius” to adjust the edge detection radius for all the edge refinement options.
      • Enabling Smart Radius will allow the edge detection to vary throughout the image.
    • Smooth: Use the Smooth slider bar to smooth out jagged edges along your selection.
    • Feather: Use the slider bar to blur the edges of your selection.
    • Contrast: Use this option to reduce the amount of blurriness along the edges.
  6. 6
    Select “Layer Mask” as the output mode. Use the drop-down menu next to “Output To” to select “Layer Mask.” This will create a layer mask around your selection.
    • A layer mask will hide the unselected parts of your layer rather than delete them. This allows you to adjust the layer mask and add to the selection or subtract from it later on if needed.
  7. 7
    Click Ok . It’s at the bottom menu panel to the left. This outputs your layer selection as a layer mask. You will now see the selection in the layer appear on top of a checkerboard pattern, indicating a transparent background.
  8. 8
    Adjust the layer mask. You can add to or subtract from the layer mask using the brush tool. Click the layer mask next to the thumbnail in the Layers panel. It has a black and white outline. Select the Brush tool in the toolbar to the left. Use a black color to add to the selection. Use a white color to subtract from the selection.
    • Use the tools at the top of the page to select the size of the brush and the type of brush.
  9. 9
    Save the image as a PNG or PSD file. To do so, click File followed by Save as. Enter a file name for the file, and then select the format you want to save the file as under “Format.”
    • Save your file as a PSD file so that you can edit it in Photoshop in the future. If you want to distribute the image with a transparent background, you will need to save it as a PNG file. JPEG (JPG) images do not support transparent backgrounds.
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Method 4
Method 4 of 4:

Painting or Erasing Transparencies

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  1. 1
    Select a layer you want to add or erase transparencies to. You can add transparency to an image using the Brush or Eraser tools. Select the layer you want to add transparency to.
  2. 2
    Select the Brush or Eraser tool. Both are in the toolbar to the left. The Brush tool has an icon that resembles a paintbrush. The Eraser tool has an icon that resembles an eraser. The Brush tool adds pixels to an image, the eraser tool removes pixels from an image.
  3. 3
    Select a color (Brush tool only). Click the colored square at the bottom of the toolbar to the left and then use the color picker to select a color.
    • Alternatively, you can use the Eyedropper tool to select a color from your image.
  4. 4
    Select a brush type. Use the menu bar at the top of the page to select a brush type. Different brush shapes will create different types of strokes.
    • A solid circle brush will add or erase a solid line. A brush with a faded circle will create soft lines with transparent edges. You can adjust the hardness or softness using the Hardness slider bar in the brush selection menu.
  5. 5
    Adjust the size of the brush. There is a drop-down menu at the top of the page that shows the brush size and a number below it. You can use this to adjust the shape of the brush. Alternatively, you can change the size of your brush using the bracket keys ( [ , ] ) on your keyboard to adjust the size of the brush.
  6. 6
    Adjust the opacity of the brush. Click Opacity in the menu bar at the top and then use the slider bar to adjust the opacity of the brush. A brush with 100% opacity will create a solid color or erase the pixels completely. A brush with 0% transparency will be completely invisible. Select something in between to create a transparent brush.
  7. 7
    Select a blending mode. As with layer opacity, you can select how the brush blends with pixels below the brush strokes. Use the drop-down menu next to “Blending Mode” at the top to select a blending mode.
  8. 8
    Paint with the brush. Simply click and drag to create transparent brush strokes on your image.
  9. 9
    Save your image. To do so, click File, followed by Save as in the menu bar at the top. Enter a file name for the image and select a file format next to “Format.” Click Save.
    • If the image has a transparent background, you will need to save it as a file format that supports transparency. It is recommended that you save it as a PNG image. If the image does not have a transparent background, you can save the image as a JPEG image.
    • Save the file as a PSD file so you can edit it in Photoshop later on if needed.
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Expert Q&A

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Add New Question
  • Question
    How can you change the transparency of an object in Photoshop?
    Richard Marczewski Jr.
    Digital Media Specialist
    Richard Marczewski Jr. is a Digital Media Specialist and owner of Creativity Scientist in Worcester, Massachusetts. With over 10 years of experience, he specializes in marketing, digital media, and content creation. He works with businesses as their outsourced storytelling partner and offers website development, videography, and e-commerce solutions. He started the hipster mustache trend in 2006 and is a classic Nintendo expert. Richard has an MBA in Management from Fitchburg State University.
    Richard Marczewski Jr.
    Digital Media Specialist
    Expert Answer
    Trace the object using the poly lasso tool or any other selection tool. Copy the object, delete the selection, and then paste the selection. After this, find the opacity bar and adjust it.
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    Not Helpful 0 Helpful 0
  • Question
    I cannot understand the use of the grey and white transparency. Can you clarify, please?
    Community Answer
    That's a transparent background. It's to show what's transparent. Once you upload the image it'll disappear.
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  • Question
    What format do I need to save an image in to keep its transparency?
    Community Answer
    I tried Method 1 above, and it works perfectly. I saved in .PNG format to maintain transparency in the finished product.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/using/select-mask.html

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      1. Click File .
      2. Click New .
      3. Select Transparent from the "Background" menu.
      4. Click OK .

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