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+--- Thread: Cannot make background transparent (/Thread-Cannot-make-background-transparent)
Cannot make background transparent - RealGomer - 06-01-2025
I've gone to several site to try to see how to remove the background of an image. I they all say what I found on fotor.
https://www.fotor.com/blog/how-to-make-background-transparent-in-gimp/
The attached pix is from a png image. (Hopefully I got it attachedl) I just want the cat to be copied into a document. If you click on the pic, you can see the entire image is shown, not the cat only. Am I missing something?
FYI - I'm trying to create a book for our 4 year old grand son using his buddy at our house.
RE: Cannot make background transparent - rich2005 - 06-01-2025
The site you referenced is ok for a basic background removal, for example you do need an alpha-channel for transparency. Layer-> Transparency -> Add Alpha Channel and the png you posted already has one. (but check anyway) You have to be careful with this type of image not to leave an un-sightly border around the subject.
You can use the fuzzy select tool to select the background but with a little addition. Enable the Feather Edges and set to about 3 or 4 You can see the selection marker, the "crawling ants"
Now go into Select -> Grow and grow by 3 pixels. That puts the selection into the body of the cat. Save this as a Gimp .xcf in case of mistakes, A Gimp .xcf saves selection / layers / other settings
[attachment=13541]
Instead of cutting the background, go for Select -> Invert : Then Edit -> Copy : Then Edit -> Paste As -> New Image.
That will give you a new image with a transparent background. Export that as a png with most of the options turned off.
[attachment=13542]
Depending on how the image is viewed, some viewers do not show transparency and use a solid background, but transparency is still there. Do not export as a jpeg that loses transparency.
[attachment=13543]
RE: Cannot make background transparent - RealGomer - 06-05-2025
Still can't get rid of the background. I'm kludging by cloning the surrounding background.
RE: Cannot make background transparent - sallyanne - 06-06-2025
What are you doing? Steps please as the info from Rich was quite clear.