3 Replies Latest reply: Nov 12, 2011 4:38 AM by Mark Sand RSS

    Make the background of an image transparent

    devlab Community Member
    devlab Nov 11, 2011 5:31 PM

      Hello,

       

      I am building a wedding website and working on the Gift Registry page. I am posting the logos of the stores where the couple is registered. I have the logos but would like to make each background transparent. For example, the logos below have white backgrounds. How do I use Photoshop Elements to make these transparent??

       

      co_macysLogo3.gif

       

      crate-barrel.gif

       

      Best,

       

       

      Christopher

        • 1. Re: Make the background of an image transparent
          webmaster-Graffi Community Member
          webmaster-Graffi Nov 11, 2011 7:31 PM (in response to devlab)

          Hi, Christopher - there's a free plugin called "Eliminate White" which, well, eliminated white in a layer and turns it transparent.  I don't have the link in fromt of me right now, but search "Eliminate white 8bf" and it should come up.

           

          Remember that only .gif and 8-bit .png support transparency, though - so be sure to save for web using one of those two formats with the Transparency option toggled on.

           

          Hope that helps!

           

          Graffi

          • 2. Re: Make the background of an image transparent
            photodrawken Community Member
            photodrawken Nov 11, 2011 8:15 PM (in response to devlab)

            First change your background to a layer by double-clicking it in the Layers Palette.

             

            You can use the Magic Wand to select the white areas using a high tolerance (>35%) and "Non-contiguous", then hit your "Delete" key to remove the white background.

             

            Use "Save for Web" and choose the "PNG-24" format.

             

            The KillWhite filter works with PSE9 and PSE10:

            http://yaelmaritz.com/extras.php

             

            (Mac's RemoveWhite filter caused problems with PSE9.)

             

            Ken

            • 3. Re: Make the background of an image transparent
              Mark Sand Community Member
              Mark Sand Nov 12, 2011 4:38 AM (in response to photodrawken)

              Christopher,

              photodrawken wrote:

               

              First change your background to a layer by double-clicking it in the Layers Palette.

              Just to explain ...When you delete a selection on the Background layer the deleted portion is replaced not by transparency but by the current color defined in the background color chip at the bottom of the toolbar. That is why you need to rename the Background layer to make it a "regular" layer. When you double-click the Background layer it is sufficient to accept the default name "Layer 0". This also applies when using the KillWhite filter, which works well by the way.