How to Remove the Background from an Image Using Affinity Designer

Removing the background from an image can be a challenging task, especially if you don’t have access to expensive software like Adobe Photoshop. However, with Affinity Designer, you can easily delete the background and make your image stand out.

Affinity Designer is a powerful graphic design software that provides you with all the necessary tools to edit and manipulate images. Whether you are a professional designer or a hobbyist, Affinity Designer offers an intuitive interface and a wide range of features that make it easy to remove backgrounds and create stunning visuals.

One of the most effective methods to delete a background in Affinity Designer is by using the selection tools. You can use the pen tool or the selection brush tool to outline the areas that you want to keep and remove. Once you have made the selection, you can simply hit the delete key to remove the background.

Another useful feature in Affinity Designer is the ability to refine your selection. This allows you to fine-tune the edges and make sure that no unwanted elements are included in your final image. With the refine selection tool, you can easily remove any remaining traces of the background and achieve a clean and professional result.

In addition to the selection tools, Affinity Designer also offers other advanced features like layer masks and blend modes, which can further enhance your ability to delete backgrounds. By using layer masks, you can hide or reveal specific areas of an image, while blend modes allow you to blend different layers together seamlessly.

Deleting a background from an image in Affinity Designer doesn’t have to be a complex process. With the right tools and techniques, you can achieve professional-looking results and take your design skills to the next level.

How to Remove the Background from an Image in Affinity Designer

If you want to remove the background from an image in Affinity Designer, here’s a step-by-step guide to help you out:

Step 1: Open Affinity Designer and import the image you want to remove the background from.

Step 2: Select the image layer by clicking on it in the layers panel.

Step 3: Go to the “Layers” menu and choose “New Mask Layer”.

Step 4: In the mask layer panel, select the “Raster Brush Tool” from the toolbar.

Step 5: Adjust the brush settings according to your needs, such as size and hardness.

Step 6: Use the brush tool to paint over the areas of the image that you want to remove. You can use different brush sizes for more precise editing.

Step 7: If you make a mistake or accidentally remove a part that you didn’t intend to, don’t worry! Simply switch to the “Eraser Tool” and undo any unwanted changes.

Step 8: Zoom in and out of the image as needed to get a better view of the details and make more accurate selections.

Step 9: Continue painting over the entire background until you have removed all the unwanted areas.

Step 10: Once you are satisfied with the result, save your image with a transparent background by going to “File” > “Export” > “PNG”. Make sure to enable the “Transparent background” option.

Note: The process of removing the background from an image in Affinity Designer may vary depending on the version and updates of the software. Make sure to consult the official documentation or online tutorials for the most up-to-date instructions.

By following these steps, you should be able to remove the background from an image in Affinity Designer and create a clean and professional-looking result.

Step 1: Open the Image in Affinity Designer

To delete the background from an image in Affinity Designer, you first need to open the image in the software. Here are the steps to do so:

1.	Launch Affinity Designer on your computer.
2.	Click on File in the top menu bar, then select Open.
3.	Navigate to the folder where the image is saved, select it, and click Open.
4.	The image will open in Affinity Designer, ready for you to edit.

Once you have opened the image, you can proceed to the next steps to delete the background from it.

Step 2: Select the Background Eraser Tool

Once you have opened your image in Affinity Designer, you will need to select the Background Eraser Tool to begin deleting the background. This powerful tool allows you to remove unwanted elements from your image easily and effectively.

To select the Background Eraser Tool, you can follow these steps:

1. Make sure the image you want to edit is selected in the layers panel.
2. In the toolbar on the left side of the screen, click on the Erase/Clone Tool icon. It looks like an eraser with a small paintbrush next to it.
3. In the context toolbar at the top of the screen, you will see various options for the Erase/Clone Tool. Click on the dropdown menu next to “Mode” and select “Background Erase”.
4. Adjust the size of the brush by moving the slider next to “Width” in the context toolbar. For larger areas, you may want to use a larger brush size, and for smaller details, you can use a smaller brush size.
5. Now you can start erasing the background by clicking and dragging the brush over the areas you want to remove. The eraser tool will automatically detect and remove similar-colored pixels, making it easier to delete the background.
6. Continue erasing the background until you have removed all the unwanted elements.

By following these steps and using the Background Eraser Tool in Affinity Designer, you will be able to delete the background from your image with precision and ease.

Step 3: Adjust the Tool Settings

Before you start removing the background from your image, it’s important to adjust the tool settings to achieve the desired result.

In the toolbar on the left side of the screen, select the “Eraser Tool”.

Next, click on the “Tool Settings” button in the top menu to open the tool settings panel.

In the tool settings panel, you’ll find various options to customize the eraser tool.

• Brush Type: Choose the type of brush you want to use for erasing. You can select a soft brush for more subtle erasing or a hard brush for more precise erasing.
• Size: Adjust the size of the brush to match the areas you want to erase. Use a larger brush for large areas and a smaller brush for smaller details.
• Opacity: Determine the transparency of the erased areas. Lower opacity settings will result in more transparent areas, while higher opacity settings will make the erased areas less transparent.
• Flow: Control the flow of the eraser tool. Higher flow settings will erase more quickly, while lower flow settings will erase more gradually.

Experiment with these settings to find the combination that works best for your image. Remember that you can always undo any changes or adjust the settings as you go along.

Once you’re satisfied with the tool settings, you’re ready to start removing the background from your image in Affinity Designer.

Step 4: Remove the Background

Removing the background from an image is an important step in isolating the subject and creating a clean, transparent background. Here’s how you can do it in Affinity Designer:

1. Select the image layer that you want to remove the background from.

2. In the toolbar, click on the “Selections” button and choose the “Selection Brush Tool” from the dropdown menu. This tool allows you to paint a selection onto your image.

3. Use the selection brush to paint over the areas of the background that you want to remove. As you paint, you will see a red overlay indicating the selected area.

4. Once you have finished painting over the background, go to the “Edit” menu and choose “Invert Selection”. This will invert your selection and now the subject will be selected instead of the background.

5. With the subject selected, click on the “Layers” tab and choose “Add Mask” from the dropdown menu. This will create a mask that hides the background and reveals only the subject.

6. If needed, you can use the “Eraser Tool” to refine the edges of the subject and remove any remaining parts of the background.

7. Finally, save your image with a transparent background by going to the “File” menu and choosing “Export”. Select a file format that supports transparency, such as PNG, and save your image.

By following these steps, you can easily remove the background from an image in Affinity Designer and achieve a professional and clean result.

Questions and answers:

Can I delete a background from an image in Affinity Designer?

Yes, Affinity Designer provides tools and features that allow you to delete the background from an image.

What tools can I use in Affinity Designer to delete the background from an image?

Affinity Designer offers a variety of tools for removing the background from an image, including the Background Erase Brush tool, the Smart Selection Brush tool, and the Flood Selection tool.

How do I use the Background Erase Brush tool in Affinity Designer?

To use the Background Erase Brush tool in Affinity Designer, you simply select the tool from the toolbar, adjust the brush settings as desired, and then paint over the areas of the image that you want to remove the background from. The tool will automatically delete the selected pixels.

Can I refine the selection before deleting the background in Affinity Designer?

Yes, Affinity Designer allows you to refine your selection before deleting the background. You can use the Refine button in the context toolbar to access additional options for fine-tuning your selection.

What can I do if I accidentally delete part of the image while removing the background in Affinity Designer?

If you accidentally delete part of the image while removing the background in Affinity Designer, you can use the History panel to undo your actions and recover the deleted pixels. Alternatively, you can use the Undo brush tool to restore the deleted areas manually.