How to Remove Background in Illustrator: Ultimate Guide (2023)

How to Remove Background in Illustrator Ultimate Guide (2023)

“Adobe Illustrator is a graphic design program that specializes in the creation of vector graphics. It is part of the Adobe Creative Cloud family of applications. Unlike Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator is not typically to edit and manipulate photographs. However, there are a few techniques you can use to remove the background from an image. The best technique to use depends on the complexity of the image.” – Wiki How 

How to Remove Background from Image in Adobe Illustrator

  • Pen Tool

Pen Tool
Pen Tool
  • Begin by uploading your image to Adobe Illustrator to initiate the process of removing the image background. To enhance the functionality of the Pen Tool and manage the finer details of your photo, utilize the Zoom tool located in the toolbar.
  • Access the Pen Tool from the left dashboard, then employ it to outline the foreground image as required. Click along the object that you wish to preserve in the image background, creating anchoring points with each click to form a comprehensive outline. Ensure to click on the initial “anchor point” at the conclusion of the process.
  • Once all objects are selected, right-click and choose “Make Clipping Mask” from the pop-up window. This action will remove all content outside the outlined foreground objects.

This method successfully removes the background from your image in Illustrator. Adobe Illustrator supports various file formats, including EPS, SVG, PDF, and more.

Remove background
Remove background

“Use the Direct Selection tool to select your image.

Access the Window menu and choose Image Trace. A pop-up menu will show up.

Pick High Fidelity Photo from the Preset dropdown.

Wait for the tracing to finish, then close the menu.

Head to the Object menu and select Expand.

Confirm by clicking OK in the pop-up.

Click outside your image and select the background to delete using the Direct Selection tool. Then, press Delete.” According to sharing from a user

Alexdinna

 

  • Utilizing Image Trace for Vector Creation and Background Removal in Illustrator

Utilizing Image Trace
Utilizing Image Trace

When working with Adobe Illustrator, it’s often preferable to deal with vectors. Vectorized images, created through mathematical computations, boast sharper details compared to regular images like JPEGs and maintain clarity even upon zooming in.

Utilizing Image Trace 1
Utilizing Image Trace 1

Illustrator excels in distinguishing subjects from backgrounds, particularly adept at removing white backgrounds.

  • Import an image into the workspace by opening a file from your computer.
  • Navigate to View > Show Transparency Grid (or use Shift+CTRL+D, Shift+Command+D in Windows and Mac, respectively). This action reveals a checkerboard background signifying transparency.
  • Open the Image Trace window by clicking Window > Image Trace in the dropdown menu.
  • Activate the Selection tool (black arrow) in the toolbar and select your image by clicking on it.
  • Return to the Image Trace window and opt for High Fidelity Photo for optimal results, or choose an alternative preset that aligns with your image.
  • Click on Object > Expand in the dropdown menu, converting the image into a vector.
  • Utilize the Direct Selection tool (white arrow) in the toolbar to click and select the background portions you wish to eliminate. Press Delete, and repeat if necessary for different areas.
  • Export the file as a .PNG or EPS file (as indicated in the third step), ensuring the Background Transparent box is checked.
Utilizing Image Trace 2
Utilizing Image Trace 2

This method seamlessly combines vector creation and background removal in Illustrator, producing crisp, scalable images with transparent backgrounds.

 

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