2 Ways To Remove Difficult Ai Art Backgrounds (Photoshop & Adobe Illustrator Tutorial)

Introduction

Removing backgrounds from AI-generated art can be a daunting task, especially when dealing with complex images. In this article, I’ll walk you through two effective methods for removing intricate backgrounds using Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator. Whether you're looking to eliminate a dark backdrop or retain the fine details in your artwork, these techniques will help!

Method 1: Using Photoshop for Background Removal

1. Open Your Graphic: Start by opening your image in Photoshop. For this tutorial, we will focus on removing a challenging black background.

2. Upscale the Image: Before diving into background removal, it is advisable to upscale your graphic. More pixels will give you better detail and make isolating the background color much easier.

3. Select Color Range: Navigate to Select > Color Range. A Color Picker dialog box will appear. Click on the black background of your image.

4. Adjust Fuzziness: Set the Fuzziness slider to determine how much of the background color is selected. A lower fuzziness value will select less of the color, creating a sharper edge, while a higher value will pick up more color, which often helps in complex images. Find the sweet spot that works for your graphic.

5. Create a Mask: After you’re satisfied with the selection, click OK to finalize it. Then, use the Create Mask from Selection button in the layers panel. This will effectively erase the background, allowing for an easier addition of new background colors.

6. Final Touches: You can now add any color you like behind your artwork to see the clean results. This method is versatile and works well on images with various t-shirt colors and backgrounds.

Method 2: Using Illustrator for Background Removal

1. Open Your Image: Launch Illustrator and load the same upscaled graphic you used in Photoshop.

2. Image Trace Panel: Select the image and access the Image Trace feature. If the panel is not visible, you can enable it by going to Window > Workspace > Essential Classic.

3. Auto Color Option: Before proceeding with manual adjustments, try using the Autocolor Preset. This often yields great results as it automatically vectorizes your image.

4. Ignore Color: To remove the background, check the Ignore White box (or the appropriate color based on your background). Use the Color Picker to select the image's background color, effectively erasing it.

5. Expand the Vector: Click on Expand to convert your traced image into vector paths. This is ideal for scalability and makes editing easier.

6. Save and Use: Reviewing your work, you’ll find that without the black background, your artwork is now clean and retainable in vector format, making it perfect for future designs.

Keyword

• Photoshop
• Illustrator
• Background removal
• Color range
• Vector paths
• Image Trace
• Upscale graphics
• Autocolor

FAQ

Q1: What is the benefit of upscaling an image before removing the background?
A1: Upscaling increases the number of pixels in the image, providing more detail and making it easier to isolate and remove backgrounds without losing quality.

Q2: Can I use these methods for both dark and light backgrounds?
A2: Yes, the methods are adaptable for different background colors, though they might require slight adjustments to the settings.

Q3: Is the vector format better than raster images?
A3: Yes, vector formats can be scaled indefinitely without losing quality, making them ideal for print and various design applications.

Q4: What tools should I use in Photoshop for background removal?
A4: The Color Range tool and the Create Mask feature are essential for effectively removing backgrounds in Photoshop.

Q5: How does the Image Trace feature in Illustrator work?
A5: Image Trace converts raster images into vector graphics, allowing for easier manipulation and background removal with color layering capability.