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How to Remove Background in Affinity Photo
In the following, I will show you two popular methods to remove background in Affinity Photo: using the Selection Brush Tool and the Background Erase Brush Tool. Let’s see how to remove the background of an image in Affinity Photo.
Method 1: Using the Selection Brush Tool
The Selection Brush Tool is a simple and effective way to remove a background. It allows you to easily select areas of an image that you want to keep or remove. Here’s how to use it:
Step 1: Click File in the top menu, and select Open from the drop-down list. Choose the image from your local folder.
Step 2: Once the image is open, look for the Layers panel on the right side of the screen. Your image will be locked by default. Click the Lock icon to unlock it. This will allow you to edit the image.
Step 3: Right-click the image layer in the Layers panel. From the context menu, select Rasterize & Trim.
Step 4: Now it’s time to select the background you want to remove. Press the W button on your keyboard to quickly access the Selection Brush tool. You can also find it in the left toolbar.
Step 5: With the Selection Brush Tool active, start brushing over the background areas you wish to remove. The tool automatically detects edges and adjusts your selection accordingly. You can also adjust the size of your brush in the top toolbar.
Step 6: Once you have brushed over the background, click the Refine button in the toolbar at the top of the screen. This opens the Refine Selection window, which allows you to fine-tune the edges of your selection. The tool will add a red mask to the areas outside your selection, helping you see where adjustments are needed. This is especially helpful for areas with fine details, such as hair or fur.
Step 7: After refining your selection, press Delete on your keyboard. This will remove the background, leaving only the selected areas in your image. If you need to make additional adjustments, simply undo the deletion by clicking Ctrl + Z and refine your selection further before deleting again.
Step 8: After removing the background, go to Select > Deselect to remove the active selection. Click File > Export and choose the format you prefer. If you need a transparent background, make sure to save the file as a PNG.
Method 2: Using the Background Erase Brush Tool
The Background Erase Brush Tool is perfect for images where the background color is distinct and easily separated from the subject. It’s especially useful when you need to remove a solid-colored background, such as a white or black background.
Step 1: Select the background layer in the Layers panel. If you use the brush on a vector layer, this tool will automatically rasterize the vector layer for editing.
Step 2: Click the Background Erase Brush tool in the left toolbar. The icon looks like a pencil eraser with a checkered pattern behind it.
Step 3: In the Context Toolbar at the top of the screen, you’ll see various brush settings. Adjust the Size, Hardness, and Strength of the brush according to your needs. If needed, you can also change the brush type in the brushes panel for more customization.
Step 4: Now, carefully paint over the background areas you want to remove. The tool will sample the color under the brush cursor and begin erasing that color. It will intelligently detect the boundaries of the subject and will avoid erasing the subject itself. You can adjust the brush size as needed to work on different parts of the image.
Step 5: Once you are satisfied with the background removal, go to File > Export to save your work.
Bottom Line
In conclusion, learning how to remove background in Affinity Photo is an essential skill for creator looking to enhance their photo editing workflow. Whether you’re dealing with a simple solid-color background or a more complex image with intricate edges, you can complete the process easily.
About The Author
Position: Columnist
Yulia has a great passion for life. She enjoys photography and travel, and is always eager to record cherished moment through her lens. This also led to her strong interest in video editing, and she kept learning multimedia-related knowledge, hoping to bring readers better advice on images, audio, video, and related topics.