Can someone post the steps to convert a colored/white backround to a clear backround?

[LPDad]

I am playing around with a few pics that might make nice avatars...and I need to take either a colored backround or a white backround and convert it to a Clear backround-- so that only the foreground image appears.

I can probably figure out some ways to accomplish it if one of you could please list the steps/tools to use. (my problem is figuring out what tool to use for each step)

Take your pick....PaintShopPro....Photoshop....Photoshop Elements-- I have access to each.

Thanks.

[DreamCaster]

Ok bud,
Here's one of many ways this can be accomplished using Photoshop. Hopefully it's easy to follow

If you still have some trouble with it, send the images along and I'll fix them up for 'ya

~Peace
DC

[LPDad]

Thanks DC, thats exactly what I needed.

[berks]

see i don't care what Fister says DC you are good for something

[rastagard]

I just discovered an easier way to do this in Elements. (and probably also PhotoShop)


By right clicking on the eraser tool there are three eraser tools, choose the Magic Eraser. This works just like the magic wand except it erases the background and leaves the image. This beats the hell out of selecting the image to be saved and deleting the background.

[sepia]

I usually just create a new blank layer on my layers pallete, select the piece I want on the original, put a very small feather on it, copy and paste onto the blank layer, then throw out the original layer by dragging to the trash. Then, save the part you want to use as a .tiff. TIFF takes up more space, but if I choose to go back and play with it more later, I can because the layers are still intqact. Also, mine always save with no background. I believe psd does that also, but you lose your history after first opening if you use that.
But, I also do things in a very complicated way. I find the very slight feather makes it look a bit less "cut out".