How to Remove Backgrounds in Procreate

In today's digital world, removing backgrounds from images has become a common task, particularly for graphic designers and digital artists. By removing the background, you can isolate the subject, giving you more flexibility in your creative projects. One tool that has gained popularity for background removal is Procreate, a powerful app for digital drawing and painting on the iPad. In this article, we will explore how to effectively remove backgrounds in Procreate and unleash your creative potential.

Understanding the Background Removal Tool in Procreate

The Background Removal Tool in Procreate is a handy feature that allows you to separate the subject from its background with ease. It utilizes advanced algorithms to detect and remove the background, giving you clean and precise results. This tool has revolutionized the way artists work with digital images, streamlining the process and saving valuable time.

What is the Background Removal Tool?

At its core, the Background Removal Tool in Procreate is an automated tool that intelligently detects the background in an image and removes it, leaving only the subject behind. It is a non-destructive tool, meaning you can easily modify or revert the changes made to the image without losing any of the original data.

Imagine you have a beautiful photograph of a flower, but the background is distracting and takes away from the main subject. With the Background Removal Tool, you can effortlessly eliminate the unwanted background and focus solely on the intricate details of the flower. This tool is particularly useful for artists who want to create stunning digital compositions or designers who need to isolate objects for various graphic design projects.

Where to find the Background Removal Tool in Procreate

Locating the Background Removal Tool in Procreate is a breeze. Simply open the app and select the image you would like to edit. From there, tap on the wrench icon at the top of the screen to access the Actions menu. Within the Actions menu, you will find the Background Removal Tool under the Canvas section.

Once you've found the Background Removal Tool, you'll be amazed at how intuitive the interface is. Procreate designers have put a lot of thought into making the tool user-friendly and accessible to artists of all skill levels. It's designed to be straightforward and easy to navigate, ensuring that you can focus on your creative process rather than getting lost in complicated menus.

Overview of the Background Removal Tool interface

Once you have selected the Background Removal Tool, you will be presented with a user-friendly interface. The interface consists of a preview of your image alongside adjustable sliders and settings. These sliders allow you to fine-tune the removal process, giving you control over the accuracy and precision of the background removal.

Imagine you're working on a digital painting of a serene landscape. The Background Removal Tool allows you to extract the foreground elements, such as trees, mountains, and a peaceful river, while effortlessly removing the sky and other distracting elements. This way, you can focus on adding your artistic touch to the landscape without worrying about the time-consuming task of manually erasing the background.

Moreover, the interface provides you with the option to adjust the sensitivity of the tool. This means that you can customize the tool's performance according to the complexity of your image. Whether you're working on a simple portrait or a complex scene with multiple subjects, the Background Removal Tool in Procreate has got you covered.

As you experiment with the sliders and settings, you'll discover that the Background Removal Tool offers a range of creative possibilities. You can play with the threshold to achieve a more precise removal or opt for a softer transition between the subject and the background. The ability to fine-tune the results ensures that your final composition looks seamless and professional.

In conclusion, the Background Removal Tool in Procreate is a powerful asset for artists and designers alike. Its advanced algorithms and user-friendly interface make it a go-to tool for effortlessly separating subjects from their backgrounds. Whether you're working on digital illustrations, photo manipulations, or graphic design projects, the Background Removal Tool will save you time and elevate your creative output.

Preparing Your Image for Background Removal

Before diving into the background removal process, it is important to prepare your image for optimal results. These preparatory steps will ensure that you achieve the desired outcome and minimize any potential issues that may arise during the process.

Choosing the right image for background removal

While the Background Removal Tool in Procreate is powerful, it is essential to choose the right image for the task. Images with clear subjects and well-defined edges tend to yield better results. Complex scenes or images with intricate details may require more manual adjustments. Experiment with different images to find the best one for your project.

Adjusting the image size and resolution

When working with digital images, it is crucial to consider the size and resolution of your image. Higher-resolution images generally yield more accurate results. However, keep in mind that larger images may require more processing power, so it is essential to strike a balance between resolution and performance.

Cleaning up the image before removing the background

Before moving forward with the background removal process, it is beneficial to clean up your image to ensure a smoother workflow. This can involve tasks such as cropping, adjusting levels or brightness, and removing any unwanted artifacts or distractions. By taking the time to prepare your image, you will achieve better results in the background removal process.

Using the Background Removal Tool in Procreate

Now that you have prepared your image, it's time to dive into the actual background removal process using Procreate's powerful tool.

Step-by-step guide to using the Background Removal Tool

1. Select the Background Removal Tool from the Canvas section of the Actions menu.
2. Begin by dragging the Tolerance slider to define the range of colors that will be considered part of the background.
3. Adjust the Threshold slider to specify the sensitivity of the removal process.
4. Refine the selection by using the Erase or Restore brushes, allowing you to remove or restore parts of the background as needed.
5. Smooth out any rough edges or imperfections using the Smooth brush, giving your subject a polished and professional look.
6. Preview the image and make any necessary adjustments using the Undo or Redo options.
7. Once you are satisfied with the result, tap Apply to finalize the background removal.

Selecting the background to be removed

One of the critical steps in using the Background Removal Tool is selecting the background you want to remove. In Procreate, this process is made easy with the use of the Tolerance slider. Adjusting the tolerance level allows you to specify how closely the tool will match colors for background removal. Experiment with different tolerance levels to achieve the desired effect.

Refining the selection for better results

To achieve precise and accurate results, it may be necessary to refine the selection made by the Background Removal Tool. Procreate provides dedicated brushes for erasing or restoring parts of the background. These brushes give you full control, allowing you to remove any unwanted bits or restore any areas that may have been mistakenly removed.

Applying the background removal effect

Once you have made the necessary adjustments and refined the selection, it's time to apply the background removal effect. Tap the Apply button to finalize the changes and save the edited image. Procreate will create a new layer for the subject, effectively separating it from the original background.

Fine-tuning the Background Removal

While Procreate's Background Removal Tool is remarkably efficient, there may be times when you need to fine-tune the results to perfection.

Adjusting the tolerance level for more accurate removal

If you find that the initial removal process did not meet your expectations, you can always go back and tweak the tolerance level. This adjustment allows you to be more selective with the colors considered part of the background, resulting in a more accurate removal.

Erasing or restoring parts of the background

In rare cases, the Background Removal Tool may remove parts of the subject or miss areas of the background. To address these issues, Procreate provides brushes for erasing or restoring certain areas. Use these brushes carefully to make precise modifications that bring your image to life.

Smoothing out rough edges and imperfections

After removing the background, you may notice rough edges or imperfections that require attention. Procreate's Smooth brush comes to the rescue, allowing you to polish the edges and eliminate any remaining inconsistencies. Take the time to refine these details, as they can significantly enhance the overall look of the image.

When working on professional projects, it's crucial to have a reliable digital asset management platform like HIVO. HIVO helps you organize, store, and easily access your images, ensuring you can efficiently manage your creative assets throughout the design process. By integrating HIVO with Procreate, you can seamlessly import and export your images, streamlining your workflow and maximizing your productivity.

With the Background Removal Tool in Procreate and the support of HIVO, removing backgrounds from your images has never been easier. Whether you are a professional artist or a creative enthusiast, this powerful combination will enable you to bring your creative vision to life. So why wait? Start exploring the endless possibilities of background removal in Procreate today!