Multimedia

How to Make Transparent Background Using Paint.net

Janice

By Janice

Update on

paint.net transparent background

As you know, editing tools have also progressed in the last few years. In earlier days, editing a picture means to open it in MS Paint and to add text to it. Nowadays, there is much more to editing a picture.

Today, you can find so many professional tools on the internet. The software is designed especially for editing pictures only. Not just professional tools, but there are also various sophisticated tools that people can use for free.

Such editing tools include Paint.NET. You can use this software to edit pictures without spending a penny.

The most important task of editing a picture is to add elements from one image to the other one. So as to perform this task, you have to eliminate the background from one picture.

You can perform this hectic task using Paint.NET. It is a free application that is available on its official site. Once you get hands-on with this interesting tool, you are all set to make the background transparent. So, let’s get started!

PS: Get to know the best solutions to unblur an image.

Part 1. Eliminate the Background using Paint.net Transparent Background

With the help of the Paint.net transparent background feature, you can successfully remove the background from any picture. For this, use the tool “Magic Wand.”

As its name suggests, it works magic on your picture. This automatic selector looks for the differences in terms of sharpness between certain areas in an image.

Steps on how to use Paint.net transparent background feature

In this method, you need to make use of an eraser and a magic wand. To use the feature Paint.net transparent background, follow the instructions as follows:

Step 1: Click on “Magic Wand”

Firstly, you need to open the image from where you need to take out the element. For this, click on the option “Tools” and then “Magic Wand.” You need to move your pointer as a magic wand now.

remove background

Step 2: Choose the area

Now, you have to move the pointer over all the areas you want to remove using the Magic Wand. It removes the background with black and white darted lines. If you need to retain some areas in the image, haul the tolerance bar to the left side.

Choose the area

In this way, the wand will pick up the area less on its own than what it considers the image area. Dragging to the right increases the selection of colors and includes the foreground areas if around 75%.

However, the wand does great work on its own, but you can use the pointer to work on your image.

Step 3: Tap “Delete”

Once done with the selection, you have to tap on “Delete.” By doing so, all the selected areas will turn into a white and gray checkerboard.

If you still need to remove anything from the background, repeat the same process and click “Delete” to eliminate that certain area from the background.

To work on smaller areas, you have to press “Ctrl & +” to zoom in on the image and select those areas.

Tap "Delete" to remove background

Step 4: Make use of the Eraser tool

Now, there will be just a few color specs scattered here and there in the background. Take the help of the Eraser tool to eliminate the backdrop colors. You will find the “Eraser” option under the section “Tools.”

Now, drag the left mouse button over the left-out background colors. While working on the background, make use of a brush with a higher width.

Make use of the Eraser tool

Step 5: Select “Layer”

Now, you are all set to fill in the blank background with any color or picture. For this, select the option “Layers” and then “Import from File,” or just press the “F7” tab. Open the picture that you want to combine with it.

Select "Layer"

Step 6: Choose “Move Layer Down”

Now, the recently added picture will appear on the top. You need to move it to the background of the foreground picture.

Go to “Layers” and tap on the option “Move Layer Down.” Now, you are done with Paint.net transparent background feature.

Choose "Move Layer Down"

Part 2. Another Way to Eliminate the Background using Paint.net Transparent Background

You can perform the same task in another way using the feature Paint.net transparent background. In this method, you need to make use of a paintbrush tool and magic wand.

And in most cases, it is very much possible that the backdrop and foreground comprise the same colors.

In that situation, the magic wand can even erase areas that you want to retain. So, it is better to use a paintbrush tool along with the magic wand.

Steps on how to use Paint.net transparent background feature

To use the feature Paint.net transparent background, go through the instructions below.

Step 1: Choose the option “Layers”

First, you need to open the picture from where you want to eliminate the background.

After that, you have to add another layer on top of that picture. For this, click on the option “Layers” and then tap on the option “Add New Layers.”

Choose the option "Layers"

Next, you have to press the tab “F7” to check the stacking layers. The blank layer needs to be on the background picture’s top.

Step 2: Select the tool “Paintbrush”

Next, you need to select the tool “Paintbrush” from the tab “Tools.” Choose a small-size brush from the drop-down list. Now, move this “Paintbrush tool” along the sides of the foreground object.

If there are many lines in the foreground, you need to use the option “Line/Curve.” Move a straight line along the object’s edges and tap Enter. Keep on repeating these lines and connect them with no gaps in between.

Select the tool "Paintbrush"

Step 3: Click the option “Magic Wand”

Once done, you need to tap on the option “Magic Wand.” After that, you have to select the border inside and highlight the selection.

To invert the selection, press tabs like “Ctrl+I.” Delete the image layer of the border by pressing the key Delete.

Otherwise, just click the button “Cut” from the toolbar. It will eliminate the background along the object’s border.

Click the option "Magic Wand"

Step 4: Save the file

Even after that, the foreground will comprise the traced border. To erase this border, choose the layer on the window “Layers.” Now, tap the button “X” to remove the layer. To save the file, you have to select the option “File” and then “Save.”

Save the file

Step 5: Add the background

Once you eliminate the background, it is time to add a background to the image. You need to select a file by clicking on the tab “File” and then “Open.” From there, you have to choose the “Layers” option and then “Import from File.”

Add the background

Select the image as a new layer from where you eliminated the background. By doing so, the foreground image will lie on top of the background.

Step 6: Click “Move Selected Pixels”

By clicking on the top layer, you can shift the foreground to wherever you want. After that, select the option “Tools” and then select “Move Selected Pixels.”

So, just drag the pointer over the background by clicking on the mouse’s left button. To resize the image, you can drag the corners of the border present around the object.

Click "Move Selected Pixels"

This way, you can easily remove and add the background using the Paint.net transparent background feature. The only disadvantage of this method is that it is not always possible to remove backgrounds smoothly.

Bonus

To make your work easier, it is best to use tools like “Feather.” This feature is the BoltBait’s Plugin Pack part. For this, click on “BoltBaitPack41.zip” from here to save its zip file.

After that, you can extract this feature on the Paint.net transparent background folder “Effects.” So, just tap on the option “Effects.” You need to click on the menu “Object” and then “Feather.”

If you do not want to go through all these steps, go for its alternative. You can always use the tool “Eraser” to get rid of the background around the foreground object’s edges.

To perform this task, you need to tap on the window “Layers” by selecting the foreground object. To edit the picture, you have to zoom into the picture by tapping on Ctrl + hotkey. From there, choose the “Eraser” option to brush off extras over the background.

Thus, you can eliminate any background from any image using the Paint.net transparent background feature. Once removed, the background is successful; you can add a new background by combining both pictures through layers.

Removing backgrounds using the option “Magic Wand” of Paint.net transparent background is the best option to give a new transformation to your pictures. Now, all you need to do is to get hands-on with this amazing and exciting tool!

FAQs

Q: Can I use Paint.net on Mac computers? A: Unfortunately, Paint.net is only available for Windows operating systems. However, there are alternative image editing software options available for Mac users, such as GIMP or Adobe Photoshop.

Q: How can I improve my skills in using Paint.net? A: The best way to improve your skills in using Paint.net is through practice. Experiment with different tools, explore online tutorials and resources, and challenge yourself with various editing tasks. With time and practice, you’ll become more proficient in creating transparent backgrounds and other editing techniques.

Q: Is Paint.net a free software? A: Yes, Paint.net is free to download and use. It offers a wide range of features and capabilities without the need for any additional purchases or subscriptions.

Q: Can I create transparent backgrounds for complex images in Paint.net? A: Paint.net provides various selection tools and features that can handle complex images. However, depending on the complexity of the image, you may need to invest more time and effort into achieving a precise selection and transparent background.

Q: How can I use images with transparent backgrounds on websites? A: To use images with transparent backgrounds on websites, you can save them in a file format that supports transparency, such as PNG. When you place the image on a web page, it will seamlessly blend with the background, providing a professional and visually appealing look.

Conclusion

Creating transparent backgrounds using Paint.net opens up a world of possibilities for graphic designers, content creators, and anyone who enjoys working with images. With the step-by-step guide provided, you can confidently remove backgrounds and make your images stand out.

Remember to practice and experiment with different techniques to improve your skills. Start exploring Paint.net today and unlock the potential of transparent backgrounds in your creative projects.

Janice
Janice

10-Year Technical Editor, I Write Articles Only Based on Meticulous & Comprehensive Research!

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