Mastering the Photoshop CC Background Eraser Tool

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Understanding the Background Eraser Tool
3. Duplicating and Hiding Layers
4. Adjusting Settings for the Background Eraser Tool
5. Removing the Blues in the Image
6. Using the Regular Eraser Tool for Faster Cleanup
7. Fine-tuning the Background Erase
8. Dealing with Branches and Confusing Areas
9. Protecting Foreground Colors and Modifying Tolerance
10. Using Discontiguous Limits for Better Results
11. Conclusion

Introduction

In this tutorial, I'm going to Show You how to remove a sky using the background eraser tool in Photoshop. Whether you want to replace the sky with something else or simply delete it, the background eraser tool can come in handy. We'll cover all the steps, from duplicating the layer to adjusting the settings and fine-tuning the erase. So, let's dive right in!

Understanding the Background Eraser Tool

Before we begin, it's essential to understand how the background eraser tool works. By default, pressing the 'E' key on your keyboard will select the eraser tool. However, if you click and hold on the eraser tool icon, you can choose the background eraser tool from the drop-down menu. This tool allows you to erase the background while preserving the main subject of the image.

Duplicating and Hiding Layers

To avoid making permanent changes to your original image, it's crucial to duplicate the layer before starting. This way, you'll have a backup copy in case you make a mistake or want to compare the before and after results. After duplicating the layer, hide the duplicate layer by clicking on the 'eye' icon next to it. This step ensures that the duplicate layer remains out of view during the editing process.

Adjusting Settings for the Background Eraser Tool

Now, let's adjust the settings for the background eraser tool. At the top left corner of the screen, you'll find several options to modify the brush size, sampling, tolerance, and protection of the foreground color. For now, we'll set the brush size to 500 and keep sampling on 'contiguous.' You can also set the tolerance to 50 and uncheck the protect foreground color option. We'll revisit these settings later in the tutorial.

Removing the Blues in the Image

To start removing the sky, right-click on the image and select the background eraser tool from the menu. It's important to note that you can adjust the brush size by using the left and right bracket keys on your keyboard instead of right-clicking. Now, click on the areas of the image that contain the sky and blues you want to remove. The background eraser tool will intelligently erase the selected areas while preserving the subject.

Using the Regular Eraser Tool for Faster Cleanup

While the background eraser tool does a great job at removing the sky, it may not capture every Detail, especially around complex areas like tree branches. To speed up the cleanup process, switch to the regular eraser tool temporarily. Use the regular eraser tool to quickly remove unwanted portions around the image, ensuring a cleaner background before proceeding with the background eraser tool again.

Fine-tuning the Background Erase

After removing the major Blue areas with the background eraser tool, it's time to fine-tune the erase. Click on the alt or option key on your keyboard to bring up the eyedropper tool. Select the blue color surrounding the tree, which will become the foreground color. Use this color by clicking around the areas that still contain blue hues. This step ensures further removal of the blues and a cleaner background.

Dealing with Branches and Confusing Areas

You may encounter challenges when erasing around branches or other intricate parts of the image. To overcome this, zoom in for a closer look using the command + or Ctrl + shortcut. When faced with difficulties, use the alt or option key again to activate the eyedropper tool. By selecting a blue hue closest to the area you want to erase, you can fine-tune the tolerance in the settings to get a better selection.

Protecting Foreground Colors and Modifying Tolerance

In some cases, using the background eraser tool with default settings may remove other colors along with the blues. To prevent this, navigate to the protect foreground colors option in the settings and click on it. This way, the tool will focus solely on removing the background blues. Keep in mind that this process can be more time-consuming, but it ensures a better result in preserving foreground colors.

Using Discontiguous Limits for Better Results

For more precise removal of blues in between objects such as trees or grass, change the limits setting to discontiguous. This will allow the background eraser tool to remove a larger portion of blue hues in tricky areas. Taking your time during this step is crucial for achieving the best results, as it ensures a clean and realistic transition between the subject and the new background.

Conclusion

The background eraser tool is a useful feature in Photoshop for removing skies and creating transparent backgrounds. Whether you want to replace the sky or delete it altogether, this tool offers flexibility and accuracy. While this tutorial provides a step-by-step guide, remember that practice makes perfect. Experiment with different settings and techniques to achieve the desired result. Happy editing!

Highlights

• Learn how to effectively use the background eraser tool in Photoshop.
• Understand the process of duplicating and hiding layers for a non-destructive workflow.
• Adjust the settings of the background eraser tool for optimal results.
• Remove unwanted blues and fine-tune the erase for a cleaner background.
• Overcome challenges when erasing around branches and other detailed areas.
• Protect foreground colors and modify tolerance for precise editing.
• Use discontiguous limits to remove blues between objects for better results.

FAQ

Q: Can I use the background eraser tool in other photo editing software? A: The background eraser tool is a feature specific to Photoshop and may not be available in other software. However, similar tools with different names and functions may exist in alternative programs.

Q: Is it possible to undo mistakes while using the background eraser tool? A: Yes, if you make a mistake or want to revert any changes, you can use the keyboard shortcut Command+Z (Ctrl+Z on Windows) to undo your previous actions. This keyboard shortcut works in Photoshop for most editing functions.

Q: Can I use the background eraser tool on images with complex backgrounds? A: The background eraser tool works best when there is a clear distinction between the subject and the background. If the background is complex, you may need to use additional techniques such as masking or manual selection to achieve the desired result.

Q: How can I replace the sky after removing it using the background eraser tool? A: After removing the sky, you can insert a new sky image or add clouds using Photoshop's layer functionalities. By creating a new layer and positioning it behind the subject layer, you can experiment with different sky options until you achieve the desired effect.