The EASY Background Remover Hidden in Photoshop!

The video tutorial introduces a powerful yet often overlooked tool in Photoshop for background removal. The tool, found under the eraser group, is praised for its accuracy and ease of use, allowing users to paint over the background to remove it. However, it is noted for its destructive nature, as it doesn't allow for non-destructive editing or the use of masks. To overcome this, the video suggests a method to make the tool non-destructive by using a layer mask. The tutorial also covers various settings such as sampling, limits, and tolerance, which are crucial for controlling the tool's behavior. The video concludes with a demonstration of how to refine the mask and emphasizes the importance of choosing the right settings for different areas of an image. It encourages viewers to decide which technique works best for their specific needs and situations.

Takeaways

• 🖌️ There's a hidden tool in Photoshop called the 'Background Eraser' that can remove the background without using selections or masks.
• 🎨 The tool works by identifying the background color and erasing it when you paint over it with the tool.
• ⚠️ The main drawback of the Background Eraser is that it works destructively, meaning it doesn't preserve the original pixels for easy edits.
• 🔄 To use the tool effectively, you can adjust settings like 'Sampling', 'Limits', and 'Tolerance' to control how it samples colors and erases them.
• 🟢 'Continuous Sampling' continuously samples from the area under the crosshair, while 'One Time Sampling' takes a sample once and keeps it.
• 🟥 'Discontiguous' allows the tool to erase colors even if they are not physically connected, whereas 'Contiguous' only erases connected pixels.
• 🔍 'Find Edges' is similar to 'Contiguous' but attempts to detect and preserve edges for a more accurate erase.
• 🌈 'Tolerance' determines the range of colors that the tool will affect, with higher values including a broader range of colors.
• 📉 Starting with a low tolerance and gradually increasing it allows for better control over the erasing process without affecting unintended areas.
• ➕ To make the background removal non-destructive, duplicate the layer, remove the background on the top layer, and use the bottom layer as a mask.
• 🎭 After using the Background Eraser, you can further refine the mask using blend modes and brush settings to fine-tune the edges and details.
• ✨ The Background Eraser is a powerful tool in Photoshop when used properly, but it's important to choose the right technique based on the specific needs of your image.

Q & A

What is the main tool discussed in the transcript for removing the background in Photoshop?

The main tool discussed is the 'Background Eraser Tool' in Photoshop, which allows for easy and customizable background removal.

What is the major drawback of the Background Eraser Tool mentioned in the transcript?

The major drawback is that the Background Eraser Tool works destructively, meaning that once the background is removed, there is no way to recover it without using a mask, which is not inherently part of the tool's functionality.

How can you make the use of the Background Eraser Tool non-destructive?

To make the use of the Background Eraser Tool non-destructive, you can create a copy of the layer before applying the tool, and then use a layer mask to reveal or conceal the erased areas.

What are the different sampling options available in the Background Eraser Tool?

The different sampling options are Continuous, Once, and Background Swatch. Continuous samples colors continuously as you paint, Once samples the color once when you first click, and Background Swatch samples the color from the currently selected background swatch.

What does the 'Limits' setting control in the Background Eraser Tool?

The 'Limits' setting controls where you can paint with the tool. It has options like Discontiguous, Contiguous, and Find Edges, which determine whether the tool will erase across color boundaries or only within the same contiguous area.

How is the 'Tolerance' setting used in the Background Eraser Tool?

The 'Tolerance' setting determines the range of colors that the tool will affect. A higher tolerance means more colors will be included in the removal process, while a lower tolerance is more selective.

Why is it important to start with a low tolerance value when using the Background Eraser Tool?

Starting with a low tolerance value helps to ensure that only the intended background colors are removed, preventing accidental erasure of parts of the image you wish to keep, such as the subject or foreground elements.

What blend mode can be used to fine-tune the edges when using the Background Eraser Tool?

The Overlay blend mode can be used to fine-tune the edges, allowing for more precise control when painting over areas that need refinement.

How can you recover accidentally erased areas when using the Background Eraser Tool?

You can recover accidentally erased areas by switching the foreground color to white and painting over the erased areas on the layer mask. This will restore the hidden parts of the image.

Is there a way to smooth out or blur the edges of the mask created by the Background Eraser Tool?

Yes, you can smooth out or blur the edges of the mask by using the Blur tool in Photoshop and painting over the mask with it. This can help to soften any rough or jagged edges.

What is the significance of using a solid color adjustment layer before using the Background Eraser Tool?

The solid color adjustment layer serves as a visual aid, allowing you to see what parts of the background are being erased. It also provides a backdrop against which you can accurately judge the removal process.

Outlines

00:00

🎨 Introduction to the Background Eraser Tool in Photoshop

The video begins with an introduction to a powerful yet under-discussed tool in Photoshop designed for erasing backgrounds without the need for selections or masks. The presenter highlights the tool's impressive accuracy and ease of use but also mentions a significant drawback, which is its destructive nature. The video promises to explore whether this limitation can be overcome to make the tool one of the best for background removal. The process starts with locating the tool, creating a backup of the background layer, and using a solid color adjustment layer to facilitate the erasure process. The tool's functionality is demonstrated by painting over the background to remove it, revealing the black color layer beneath. The video then delves into the tool's settings, particularly the sampling modes and their impact on the erasing process.

05:01

🖌️ Understanding the Background Eraser Tool's Settings

This paragraph explains the different sampling modes of the Background Eraser Tool: continuous, one-time, and background swatch. It discusses how each mode samples colors differently, affecting the erasing process. Continuous sampling updates the color as you paint, which can be problematic if it samples unwanted areas like hair. One-time sampling takes a color snapshot when you begin painting and maintains it, useful for areas with a consistent background color. The background swatch mode is less frequently used. The focus then shifts to the 'Limits' settings, which control which pixels the tool affects. Discontiguous allows the tool to erase colors even within other colored areas, while contiguous restricts erasing to pixels directly connected to the sampled color. The 'Find Edges' option is similar to contiguous but attempts to preserve edges more accurately. The presenter uses visual examples to clarify these concepts.

10:02

🔍 Fine-Tuning Erasure with Tolerance and Non-Destructive Techniques

The paragraph covers the 'Tolerance' setting, which determines the range of colors the tool affects. A lower tolerance focuses on similar colors, while a higher tolerance includes a broader spectrum. The presenter advises starting with a low tolerance and adjusting upwards until the desired background removal is achieved without affecting unintended areas. The video then transitions into a non-destructive method of using the tool. This involves copying the original layer, creating a mask on the copy, and using the eraser tool on the mask to refine the edges and details. The presenter also demonstrates how to use blend modes and brush settings to fine-tune the mask, and how to correct accidental erasures by switching the brush color to white and repainting the missing areas.

15:02

🔄 Recap and Conclusion: Background Eraser Tool's Utility in Photoshop

The final paragraph recaps the key points of the video, summarizing the use of the Background Eraser Tool, its settings, and the non-destructive approach. It emphasizes that each tool and technique in Photoshop has its purpose and that the choice depends on the specific image and the user's requirements. The presenter thanks the viewers, especially the supporters on Patreon, for their contributions to keeping the content free. The video concludes with an encouragement to like, subscribe, and enable notifications to stay updated with future tutorials and tips.

Keywords

Background Eraser Tool

The Background Eraser Tool in Photoshop is a feature that allows users to remove the background of an image by painting over it. It's a powerful and customizable tool that can be very accurate, making it an efficient way to isolate subjects from their backgrounds. In the video, it is used to demonstrate how to erase backgrounds without the need for complex selections or masks.

Destructive vs. Non-Destructive Editing

Destructive editing refers to making changes to an image that cannot be reversed, whereas non-destructive editing allows for reversible changes. The video discusses a drawback of the Background Eraser Tool—it works destructively. However, the script also explains how to make the tool non-destructive by using layer masks, which is a significant part of the tutorial.

Sampling

Sampling in the context of the Background Eraser Tool involves how the tool selects the colors to be erased. The video mentions three types of sampling: continuous, one time, and background sampling. Understanding these options is crucial for controlling how the tool interacts with different areas of the image.

Tolerance

Tolerance is a setting in the Background Eraser Tool that determines the range of colors to be considered for erasure. A higher tolerance value means a broader range of colors will be affected, while a lower value is more precise. The video provides examples of how adjusting tolerance can impact the erasing process.

Layer Mask

A layer mask in Photoshop is a non-destructive way to hide or reveal parts of a layer. The video demonstrates how to use a layer mask with the Background Eraser Tool to create a non-destructive edit, allowing for flexibility and the ability to correct mistakes.

Solid Color Adjustment Layer

This is a type of layer in Photoshop used to apply a uniform color to an image. In the video, a solid color adjustment layer is used beneath the image layer to provide a visible background against which the erasing can be more easily controlled and monitored.

Contiguous and Discontiguous

These terms refer to the limits setting in the Background Eraser Tool. Contiguous limits the erasure to pixels physically attached to the initial color being removed, while discontiguous allows the tool to erase colors across different areas of the image. The choice between these affects the precision of the background removal.

Flow

Flow in the context of painting with a brush tool in Photoshop determines how much paint is applied to the canvas with each brush stroke. The video discusses adjusting the flow rate when using the tool in overlay mode for fine-tuning the erasure.

Blend Modes

Blend modes in Photoshop determine how layers interact with each other. The video uses the overlay blend mode to fine-tune the erasure by allowing the user to paint with less impact on the white areas of the image.

Blur Tool

The blur tool in Photoshop is used to soften or blur parts of an image. In the video, it is suggested as a way to smooth out rough edges or transitions in the mask created by the Background Eraser Tool.

Patreon

Patreon is a crowdfunding platform where creators can receive financial support from their audience in exchange for exclusive content and benefits. The video script mentions Patreon as a way to support the channel and keep its content free for everyone.

Highlights

Photoshop has a hidden tool that can erase the background without using selections or masks.

The tool is powerful, customizable, advanced, and easy-to-use, providing accurate background removal.

The major drawback of the tool is its destructive nature, meaning it cannot be used non-destructively.

The tool works by identifying the background color and removing it when painted over.

Settings such as sampling, limits, and tolerance can be adjusted for more precise background removal.

Continuous sampling continuously takes color samples from the area under the crosshair.

One time sampling takes a single sample from the area under the crosshair when the brush is first used.

Discontiguous and contiguous options control whether the tool can paint across or only within borders.

Find edges option helps Photoshop detect and maintain sharp edges.

Tolerance determines the range of colors affected by the tool, with higher values affecting a broader range.

A technique to make the tool non-destructive involves using a mask on a copied layer.

The non-destructive method allows for easy modification and fine-tuning of the mask.

The background eraser tool can be a hidden gem in Photoshop for efficient background removal.

Different techniques and tools in Photoshop have their own place and are useful depending on the image and situation.

A step-by-step guide is provided to use the tool effectively and make it non-destructive.

The video includes a recap of the tool's features and how to apply them for optimal results.

The presenter thanks the supporters on Patreon for helping keep the content free for everyone.

The video encourages viewers to like, subscribe, and ring the bell for notifications to not miss future content.