Using the Mask Painter tool, paint over some of the parts of the
foreground you want to keep. More information
Then select the Eraser tool.
Erase photo background
To erase the background from your photo, follow these steps. More information
Using this Eraser tool, roughly paint over the parts you want to erase.
Then select the Mask Painter tool.
This feature is particularly good for erasing or changing the background behind
complex shapes such as fur, hair, trees etc, that would be tedious, or impossible, to
mask manually. You only need to indicate the approximate areas to erase (with the
Erase tool) and the areas to protect (with the Mask Painter tool), and then click the
‘Erase background’ button.
Tip: Use Shift to un-erase (restore) parts you have accidentally erased.
![[x]](alert_8973_htm_files/close.png "Close")
If the foreground is all a similar colour it’s only necessary to cover part of it with the
mask. If the foreground has differing colours, mask each of these areas.
Use zoom (Ctrl+mouse wheel) to mask more or less detail.
Try not to mask over any background colour or regions. If you make a mistake hold
Shift to un-paint the mask.
You can Undo and change the mask or the erased parts and try again.
In future if you erase parts of the photo, mask other parts, and click Erase background
this guide will not appear - it will just go ahead and erase the background.
Tip: When using the Mask Painter or Eraser tools holding Shift will un-mask or un-erase.
Tip: You can use the Eraser Tool, perhaps with a soft edge, to clean up edges or outlying
parts.
