How to Remove Background in Illustrator: A Step-by-Step Guide

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Adobe Illustrator is a powerful tool for creating vector graphics, and one of its essential skills is removing backgrounds from images. Whether you’re working on a logo, illustration, or any other design project, knowing how to remove the background can significantly enhance your workflow. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the process of removing a background in Illustrator, making your images clean and professional.

Step 1: Open Your Image in Illustrator

First, launch Adobe Illustrator and open the image from which you want to remove the background. To do this, go to File > Open and select your image file. Ensure your image is a high-resolution file to get the best results.

Step 2: Trace the Image

To remove the background, you’ll need to convert the image into a vector. This process is known as “tracing.” Follow these steps:

  1. Select the Image: Click on the image to select it.
  2. Open the Image Trace Panel: Go to Window > Image Trace to open the Image Trace panel.
  3. Choose a Preset: In the Image Trace panel, choose a preset that best fits your image. For detailed images, use the High Fidelity Photo preset; for simpler images, use the Low Fidelity Photo preset.
  4. Adjust Settings: Fine-tune the tracing by adjusting the settings such as Threshold, Paths, Corners, and Noise. Play around with these settings until you achieve the desired look.
  5. Expand the Traced Image: Once satisfied with the tracing, click the Expand button in the Control Panel. This action will convert the image into a vector graphic.

Step 3: Ungroup the Traced Image

After expanding the image, it will be grouped together. You’ll need to ungroup it to separate the background from the main subject.

  1. Ungroup the Elements: With the traced image selected, go to Object > Ungroup or use the shortcut Shift + Ctrl + G (Windows) or Shift + Cmd + G (Mac).
  2. Deselect All Elements: Click on an empty space in your artboard to deselect all elements.

Step 4: Select and Delete the Background

Now, you’ll remove the background from your image:

  1. Select the Background: Use the Direct Selection Tool (A) to click on the background area you want to remove. If your background is complex, you might need to use the Lasso Tool (Q) to select multiple areas.
  2. Delete the Background: Press the Delete key to remove the selected background areas. Repeat this process until all unwanted background parts are gone.

Step 5: Refine Your Image

After removing the background, you might need to refine the edges of your image to ensure it’s clean and sharp.

  1. Smooth Edges: Use the Smooth Tool, located under the Pencil Tool in the Tools panel, to smooth out any rough edges.
  2. Remove Extra Points: Use the Pen Tool (P) to add or remove anchor points for a cleaner path.

Step 6: Save Your Image

Once you’re happy with the result, it’s time to save your image without the background.

  1. Save as AI or EPS: For future editing, save your file as an AI or EPS file by going to File > Save As.
  2. Export as PNG: To use your image in other applications, export it as a PNG with a transparent background. Go to File > Export > Export As, choose PNG, and make sure to check the Use Artboards and Transparent options.

Tips for Better Results

  • High-Quality Images: Start with high-resolution images for more accurate tracing.
  • Clean Edges: Take your time refining the edges to ensure a professional look.
  • Practice: The more you practice, the better you’ll get at removing backgrounds efficiently.

Conclusion

Removing backgrounds in Adobe Illustrator may seem daunting at first, but with these steps, you can achieve clean and professional results. This skill is invaluable for designers looking to create standout graphics without the distraction of unwanted backgrounds. Practice these steps, and soon you’ll be a pro at background removal in Illustrator. Happy designing!

Reference article:

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