11 Shortcuts to Remove Background in One Click! - Photoshop Tutorial

PiXimperfect
10 May 202324:57

TLDRThis tutorial video provides a comprehensive guide on how to quickly remove the background from images using Adobe Photoshop. It introduces various shortcuts and methods tailored to different situations, such as when the background is a solid color or when there is high contrast between the subject and the background. The video demonstrates the use of tools like 'Select Subject', 'Color Range', and 'Select and Mask', along with the creation of actions for automating the process. It also covers advanced techniques like refining hair details and dealing with halos around the subject's edges. Additionally, the tutorial explains how to batch process multiple images for background removal, saving time and effort, especially for professionals dealing with e-commerce product images. The host also mentions the use of the Pixel Perfect compositing plugin for an even simpler and more efficient workflow. The video concludes with an encouragement to understand the concepts rather than memorizing steps, and offers free resources for learning Photoshop basics.

Takeaways

  • 🔍 **Secret Button Shortcut**: In Photoshop, there's a secret button that can remove the background with a single click, especially useful for green screens.
  • 🎨 **Color Removal**: Utilize the 'remove the greens' option in Photoshop to eliminate unwanted colors, creating a clean subject selection.
  • 🛒 **E-Commerce Efficiency**: For批量处理电商图片, simply drag and drop images into a specific program to automatically remove backgrounds and export them.
  • 🔧 **Flexibility and Accuracy**: Professionals prefer Photoshop for its accuracy and flexibility, allowing for modifications and various techniques to match subjects with backgrounds.
  • 🔗 **Unlocking Layers**: To use the 'remove background' feature, ensure the layer is unlocked by clicking on the lock icon.
  • 📚 **Action Recording**: Create an action to automate the background removal process, which can be triggered with a shortcut key for efficiency.
  • 🌈 **Color Range Selection**: For images with distinct color separations, use the 'select color range' tool to target and remove specific colors from the background.
  • 🔳 **High Contrast Scenarios**: In situations with high contrast between subject and background, use blending modes like 'multiply' to address halo effects around the subject.
  • 📂 **Batch Processing**: Photoshop allows for batch processing of images, automating the background removal for multiple files, saving significant time.
  • 🎭 **Pixel Perfect Compositing**: The Pixel Perfect compositing plugin simplifies the masking process and is approved by Adobe, offering additional tools for background removal.
  • 📝 **Understanding Concepts**: Rather than memorizing steps, understanding the concepts in Photoshop will empower users to create their own methods and be more adaptable to changes.

Q & A

  • What is the secret button to remove the background in Photoshop?

    -The secret button to remove the background in Photoshop is the 'Remove Background' button found in the properties panel. However, it only appears when the layer is unlocked.

  • How can you automate the process of removing the background in Photoshop?

    -You can automate the process by creating an action that records the steps taken to remove the background, such as using the 'Select Subject' tool and then applying a mask.

  • What is the benefit of using the 'Smart Radius' feature in the 'Select and Mask' tool?

    -The 'Smart Radius' feature helps to smooth out the edges of the selection, creating a softer and more natural-looking mask around the subject.

  • How can you remove specific colors, like green, from the edges of an image in Photoshop?

    -You can use the 'Select and Color Range' tool to target and remove specific colors from the edges of an image. After selecting the color, you can invert the selection and apply a mask to remove it.

  • What is the purpose of the 'Refine Hair' feature in Photoshop?

    -The 'Refine Hair' feature is used to improve the accuracy of the mask around fine details such as hair or fur, making it easier to separate these areas from the background.

  • How can you batch process multiple images to remove their backgrounds in Photoshop?

    -You can use the 'Droplet' feature in Photoshop. After recording an action for background removal, you can create a droplet that, when images are dragged onto it, automatically processes them using the recorded action.

  • What is the role of the 'Multiply' blend mode in removing halos around the subject?

    -The 'Multiply' blend mode can be used to darken the image and effectively remove halos, which are bright areas around the subject caused by high contrast with the background.

  • How can you use the 'Screen' blend mode to improve image edges?

    -The 'Screen' blend mode lightens the image and can be used to remove dark halos when the subject is lighter than the background, thus improving the visibility and quality of the edges.

  • What is the 'Decontaminate Colors' option in the 'Select and Mask' tool?

    -The 'Decontaminate Colors' option helps to clean up color fringes or halos around the edges of a selection by extending the image while keeping the mask the same.

  • How can you save time when you have to remove the background from a large number of images with similar characteristics?

    -You can record a specific action tailored to the characteristics of the images and then apply it to a batch of images using the Batch Process feature in Photoshop.

  • What is the advantage of using the 'Pixel Perfect Compositing' plugin in Photoshop?

    -The 'Pixel Perfect Compositing' plugin simplifies the process of masking and compositing by providing automated tools for tasks such as removing halos and refining selections, which are approved by Adobe and can be integrated into Photoshop.

Outlines

00:00

🎨 Photoshop Background Removal Techniques

The paragraph introduces various methods to remove backgrounds in Photoshop, emphasizing flexibility and accuracy for professionals. It discusses the 'remove background' button, the use of actions to automate the process, and the importance of understanding different techniques for various situations. The speaker also mentions a free action named 'pix, background removal' and encourages learning how to build actions for independence from pre-made ones.

05:01

🔍 Refining Edges and Color Range Selection

This section delves into refining the edges of a selection using the 'smart radius' feature and the 'select and mask' tool. It also covers the use of 'select color range' for backgrounds of a certain color and the 'refine hair' feature for more detailed work. The paragraph explains how to automate these processes using actions and provides a method for decontaminating colors to remove halos around the subject.

10:02

🌈 Automating Color Background Removal

The paragraph focuses on automating the removal of color backgrounds using the 'select and color range' feature. It explains how to adjust the fuzziness level for different images and use the 'select similar' option to refine the selection. The process includes creating a clipping mask with hue and saturation adjustments to target specific colors and the recording of an action for a fully automated workflow.

15:04

⚙️ High Contrast Background Solutions

This part addresses the challenge of removing high contrast backgrounds, such as dark hair against a white background. It describes using blend modes like 'multiply' to correct halos around the subject and techniques to manage the darkness introduced by these blend modes. The paragraph also introduces actions for both 'multiply' and 'screen' blend modes and discusses the Pixel Perfect compositing plugin for simplifying the process.

20:06

📁 Batch Processing for Multiple Images

The final paragraph discusses batch processing for removing backgrounds from a large number of images. It outlines creating a droplet that automates the process, including the recording of saving steps and the setup for naming and exporting processed images. The paragraph emphasizes the efficiency of this method for handling numerous images and encourages understanding the underlying concepts of Photoshop for effective use.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Remove Background

The process of eliminating the backdrop of an image to isolate the subject. In the video, this is a central theme where various techniques are discussed to achieve this in Photoshop, which is crucial for tasks like e-commerce image preparation.

💡Secret Button

Refers to a hidden or lesser-known feature within Photoshop that, when used, can perform tasks like background removal with a single click. It's a metaphor used in the video to highlight shortcuts that simplify complex editing tasks.

💡Hue Saturation Adjustment Layer

A tool in Photoshop used to modify the color properties of an image. In the context of the video, it's employed to target and remove specific colors, such as unwanted greens, from the image edges after the background is removed.

💡E-commerce

E-commerce refers to the buying and selling of goods or services using the internet, and in the video, it is mentioned as a context where background removal is frequently needed for product images to be used on online stores.

💡Select Subject

A feature in Photoshop that allows for the quick selection of the main subject of an image. The video demonstrates how this feature can be utilized as part of the background removal process, especially when the subject is distinctly separated from the background.

💡Mask

In Photoshop, a mask is a layer that hides or reveals parts of another layer. The video explains how to use masks in conjunction with selection tools to refine the edges of the subject after the background has been removed.

💡Smart Radius

A feature within the 'Select and Mask' tool in Photoshop that helps to smooth out the edges of a selection. The video emphasizes its use to create softer and more natural-looking edges after the background removal.

💡Batch Processing

The automated processing of multiple files or images at once. In the script, batch processing is discussed as a time-saving method to remove backgrounds from a large number of images efficiently.

💡Pixel Perfect Compositing

A plugin mentioned in the video that simplifies the process of image compositing in Photoshop. It is highlighted as an approved tool by Adobe that can streamline tasks like background removal and halo reduction.

💡Actions

In Photoshop, actions are recordings of a series of commands that can be played back to automate repetitive tasks. The video provides an overview of how to create and use actions to expedite the background removal process.

💡Droplet

A feature in Photoshop that allows users to create a small application (droplet) from an action, which can then be used to process images by simply dragging and dropping them onto the droplet. It's showcased in the video as a method for quick batch processing of images.

Highlights

Photoshop has a secret button that can remove the background with a single click.

Utilizing the 'remove greens' feature can automatically eliminate unwanted green backgrounds.

A hue saturation adjustment layer is created to refine the removal of specific colors like greens.

For e-commerce, images can be batch processed with background removal without opening Photoshop.

The 'remove background' button is available in the properties panel once a layer is unlocked.

Creating an action in Photoshop can automate the background removal process for efficiency.

The 'select subject' tool combined with 'select and mask' is effective for regular images without distinct separation.

Smart radius in 'select and mask' can help refine edges for a more natural look.

The 'refine hair' feature can significantly improve the mask around hair or fur.

Decontaminate colors can be used to clean up halos around the subject.

Selecting color range and using 'select similar' can help remove uniform color backgrounds more effectively.

Clipping masks allow adjustments to be limited to specific layers, preventing unintended changes.

Batch processing can be used to automatically remove backgrounds from a large number of images.

Pixel Perfect Compositing plugin simplifies the masking and compositing process in Photoshop.

Blend modes like 'multiply' and 'screen' can be used to manage contrast issues between subject and background.

Creating a droplet in Photoshop allows for drag-and-drop automation of background removal.

Actions and droplets can be combined for a streamlined workflow, even with variable data.

Understanding the concepts of Photoshop is more important than memorizing steps for effective use.