Adobe Photoshop 7
Creating Transparent Images

http://www.uwec.edu/help/Photoshop7/transpimgs.htm

Using the Transparency Option
It is possible to set your image up at the same time you are setting up your page dimensions. You can use the Transparency option to create an image on a single layer with no background color values.

NOTE: If you use the Transparency option, you can save your file only in the Photoshop format because no other software can read Photoshop's layer format. However, you can export the image so the file can be used by other programs.

From the File menu, select New...
The New dialog box appears.

In the Name text box, type the name of your image

Set the width and height for the image

In the Contents section, select Transparent

Click OK

Continue working with your image using the Photoshop tools


Making an Existing Background Transparent
You may find an image you want to use, but may not want the background of the image. It is possible to remove the background color from an image. Removing the background color works best if the image has a simple one-color background. While it is possible to make a multicolored background (e.g., the background in a photograph) transparent, this involves more steps and often has mixed results.

Open the image

In the Layers palette, double click the background layer
NOTE: This may be the only later present.
The New Layer dialog box appears.

In the Name text box, verify that it reads Layer 0
NOTE: Do not make changes to the Opacity and Mode settings.

Click OK

In the toolbox, click the Magic Wand tool

In the image, using the Magic Wand tool, click the background
NOTE: The Magic Wand tool selects similar colors in the vicinity of where you click.
An animated dashed line appears around the background or area of similar color.

OPTIONAL: If the image has a multicolored background (e.g., the background of a photograph), to select multiple sections of the background at once, press and hold [Shift] while clicking with the magic wand tool. This will add to your selection.
NOTE: To deselect areas from your selection (e.g., the Magic Wand tool selected part of your image you do not want selected), press and hold [Alt] while clicking the areas you want to deselect.

Once the background is selected, press [Delete]
The background (or selected area) becomes transparent.

OPTIONAL: If the image has a multicolored background (e.g., the background of a photograph), you may find it necessary to repeat steps 5-8 to delete the remaining parts of the background.


Exporting the Transparent Image
If you would like to use a Photoshop image in another program, but you need a transparent background, you can use the Export Transparent Image option. This option allows you to open the image with other software. This is a very precise process and works well for images such as clip art; however, it may not work as well for more complex images like scanned photographs. You can save the image for use in print or on the Web.

Exporting the Transparent Image: for Print
From the Help menu, select Export Transparent Image...
The Export Transparent Image Wizard appears.


Select My image is on a transpartent background and click NEXT


Select Print and click NEXT
The Save As dialog box appears.


From the Save in pull-down menu and other navigational tools, select the desired save location


In the File name text box, type an appropriate name for you image


From the Format pull-down list, select the desired image format
NOTE: JPEG or CompuServe GIF is likely to be the most compatible with other programs.


Click SAVE
The Indexed Color dialog box appears.


Click OK
The Gif Options dialog box appears.


Make the desired selection and click OK


Click FINISH
The image is saved and ready for use in another program.

Exporting the Transparent Image: for the Web

From the Help menu, select Export Transparent Image...
The Export Transparent Image Wizard appears.

Select My image is on a transpartent background and click NEXT


Select Online and click NEXT


Select GIF and click NEXT


Click NEXT
The Indexed Color dialog box appears.


Click OK
The Save As dialog box appears.


From the Save in pull-down menu and other navigational tools, select the desired save location


In the File name text box, type an appropriate name for your image


Click SAVE
The GIF Options dialog box appears.


Make the desired selection and click OK


Click FINISH
The image is saved and ready for use on the Web.