Convert image to Transparent background

[Stargoop]

!I finally figured out how to make backgrounds transparent. It is really easy and simple

1. When you open Paint.net you are automatically given a white canvas/background and if you click the BLUE SQUARE BOX ON THE UPPER RIGHT SIDE which is labeled LAYERS

    you will see that it is already named BACKROUND. 
2. Across the bottom of the LAYER BOX that you opened there are icons. Select the first one, OR from the LAYERS menu in the UPPER LEFT SIDE select ADD NEW LAYER

    (this will prevent your image from being placed on the first canvas/backround so you can make that transparent without also erasing your image)

3. UNCHECK the box next to the Layer named BACKROUND (making it transparent (as represented by the gray boxes)
4. From the FILES menu open the image that you have chosen. It will also be named BACKROUND in the layers box but that is ok

5.Use the MAGIC WAND from the TOOLS on your left to Select your image area and then use the EDIT menu and choose INVERT SELECTION, then click COPY from the same EDIT menu

6. PASTE the image on top of the previous canvas which you have already made transparent

 

[Tactilis]

All good @Stargoop but your method is more complicated than it needs to be.

Try this:

1. Open your image in Paint.NET

2. Use the Magic Wand (or any of the selection tools you wish) to select the wanted image area
3. Edit | Invert Selection (or just press Ctrl+I)
4. Edit | Erase Selection (or just press the Delete key)

That's it!

If you haven't done so already, I'd recommend working your way through the excellent Paint.NET Documentation here https://www.getpaint.net/doc/latest/index.html and trying things out as you go to really understand the tools.
 

The documentation can also be accessed by clicking the icon, top right) or by pressing the F1 key.

 

[Ego Eram Reputo]

Ctrl + A

Delete

 

Remember to save it in a format which preserves transparency (PNG not JPG)

 

 

[Tactilis]

7 hours ago, Ego Eram Reputo said:

Ctrl + A

Delete

That doesn't achieve what @Stargoop wants.  They want to keep the main subject of the image and make just the background transparent, which is why they use the Magic Wand to select the subject and then invert the selection.

[CircleBox]

On 1/3/2023 at 4:15 AM, Stargoop said:

3. UNCHECK the box next to the Layer named BACKROUND (making it transparent (as represented by the gray boxes)
4. From the FILES menu open the image that you have chosen. It will also be named BACKROUND in the layers box but that is ok

 

After step 3 you can copy/paste into the new layer without opening a new image. 

 

You can also just drag and drop the image onto the paint.net GUI and it will ask if you want to open or add a new layer. 

 

Either way glad you're having fun! 

[Alex Fan]

On 1/3/2023 at 8:56 PM, Ego Eram Reputo said:

Remember to save it in a format which preserves transparency (PNG not JPG)

 

 

Just dropping in to say THANK YOU!!! I've been struggling for YEARS trying to figure out how to use an image of my signature as a stamp in my PDF editor program. I managed but always hated that the stamp blocked any text on the page underneath it. THIS is what I didn't know. THANK YOU!!