Simple Steps to Remove Backgrounds in Procreate
Contents
1. Get Procreate Ready
2. Use the Selection Tool
3. Remove the Background
4. Fine Tune the Result
5. Save Your Work
Procreate is a powerful digital illustration app used by many artists, graphic designers, and creatives worldwide. Today, we're going to delve into the nitty-gritty of how to swiftly remove backgrounds in Procreate—a skill that can come handy in a multitude of projects, whether you're designing a logo, creating a digital collage, or just want to isolate a specific element from an image. Let's get started with the simple steps to remove backgrounds in Procreate.
1. Get Procreate Ready
Before you can start removing backgrounds, you need to set up your Procreate workspace. This involves opening the app, choosing your canvas, and selecting the photo you want to edit. No worries, we'll walk you through each step.
Open the App
First things first, open Procreate. It's as simple as finding the Procreate icon on your device and tapping on it. If you're new to Procreate, you'll be greeted with the Gallery view. This is where all your works-in-progress are stored. No worries if it's empty, we're about to add to it!
Choose Your Canvas
Next, you'll need to select your canvas. Tap on the '+' icon in the top right corner of the Gallery view to create a new canvas. Procreate offers a range of preset sizes to choose from, but you can also create a custom canvas by tapping on the 'Custom size' button. Remember to consider the aspect ratio that suits your project best.
Select Your Photo
Now that your canvas is ready, it's time to bring in the photo you want to remove the background from. Tap on the tool icon in the top-left corner, and then select 'Insert a photo.' Navigate to your device's photo gallery, select your photo, and voila! Your photo is now ready to have its background removed in Procreate.
2. Use the Selection Tool
Now that you've got your photo on the canvas, it's time to get to the real business: using the selection tool to start the process of Procreate background removal. This tool is what allows you to choose the specific area of the photo that you want to keep.
Pick Automatic Selection
Locate the selection tool in the top-left corner of the screen—it's the icon that looks like an 'S' made of dotted lines. Tap on it, and a menu will pop up. From this menu, choose 'Automatic.' This option tells Procreate to automatically select areas of similar color in your image, which is handy for separating your subject from its background.
Adjust the Threshold Slider
With the 'Automatic' selection option chosen, you can now tap on the area of the photo you want to keep. As you do this, you'll notice a blue overlay appears on the selected area. But don't worry if it's not perfect, that's what the Threshold slider is for! Dragging this slider adjusts how much of the similar colors Procreate selects. Experiment with this until you're happy with the selection. Remember, it doesn't have to be perfect—we'll be fine-tuning things later!
3. Remove the Background
Now comes the exciting part—removing the background in Procreate. You've made your selection, and it's time to say goodbye to that unwanted backdrop. With just a few steps, you're going to see your image stand alone, free from its original background.
Click on the Layers Panel
First, you need to head to the Layers panel. You'll find this icon in the top-right corner of your screen—it looks like two squares layered on top of each other. Once you tap on it, you'll see your image as a layer in this panel.
Tap on the Selected Area
Next, with your layer selected, return to your canvas and tap on the selected area of your image. This action will bring up a menu with various options.
Choose 'Clear'
From the menu that appears, choose the 'Clear' option. This acts like a magic eraser, removing the background instantly. Voila! You've just done a Procreate remove background operation. But wait, we're not done just yet! You might notice some rough edges or bits of background left over. Don't worry, in the next section, we'll clean up those edges to make your image look perfect.
4. Fine Tune the Result
So, you've removed your background in Procreate—good job! But before we wrap up, let's take a few extra steps to ensure your image looks its absolute best. It's time to fine-tune your result.
Use the Eraser Tool
First up, select the Eraser tool from the toolbar. This tool will help you clean up any unwanted spots or rough edges that the background removal might have missed. Gently swipe it over any area that needs a bit more work. Remember, you can adjust the size and opacity of the eraser for finer control.
Apply the Smudge Tool
Next, let's use the Smudge tool. This can be a great way to blend any harsh lines or smooth out any areas that don't quite look right. Simply select the Smudge tool from the toolbar and lightly brush it over the areas you want to blend. And there you have it—a pro-level Procreate remove background job. But before you rush off to show off your masterpiece, let's make sure you save your work correctly.
5. Save Your Work
Finally, after all your hard work in Procreate to remove the background, it's time to save your masterpiece. You definitely don't want to lose all the refined work you've just done. I'm sure you'd agree that would be a real bummer, right? So, let's make sure that doesn't happen.
Click on the Action Menu
Look at the top-left corner of your screen. You'll see a wrench icon there. That's your Action menu. Go ahead and tap on it. This is where you control all the 'behind the scenes' actions for your artwork, like sharing or exporting.
Choose 'Share'
In the Action menu, you'll see an option labeled 'Share.' Tap on it. Procreate is now ready to save your work and send it off to wherever you'd like. Whether that's your device's gallery, a friend, or even Instagram—it's your call!
Select File Format
Now, here's an important step. You need to choose in which file format you want to save your artwork. Procreate supports several formats, like JPEG, PNG, and even Procreate's own format. If you want to keep your layers for future editing, choose the Procreate format. If not, JPEG or PNG will do just fine. And voila! You've successfully used Procreate to remove a background and saved your work. Well done!
If you found our "Simple Steps to Remove Backgrounds in Procreate" blog helpful, we highly recommend checking out the workshop 'Procreate Basics: Making Digital Art' by Sameera Maruvada. This workshop will help you further hone your skills and master the Procreate app, making your digital art journey even more enjoyable and productive.