Effortless Background Removal in Adobe Illustrator: Top Tips

Removing backgrounds from images is a common task for graphic designers. While Adobe Photoshop is often the go-to tool for pixel-based editing, Adobe Illustrator offers powerful vector-based techniques for achieving clean and professional results. This article explores simple tricks and advanced techniques to remove image backgrounds in Adobe Illustrator efficiently, especially when dealing with multiple objects, making it a comprehensive guide for both beginners and experienced users.

Understanding Image Types and Background Removal

When working with images in Adobe Illustrator, it's essential to understand that photos and images are essentially pixel files. While Photoshop is ideal for editing such files directly, Illustrator leverages vector-based methods for non-destructive editing. Removing backgrounds involves masking or outlining the desired objects to isolate them from their surroundings.

This allows flexibility and ensures that the image quality remains high.

Understanding Clipping Masks

Clipping masks are a non-destructive way to remove portions of an image. A shape is created over the area you wish to keep, and everything outside that Shape is Hidden. This is a fundamental technique for simple background removal.

When to Use Clipping Masks

Clipping masks are most suitable for images with well-defined edges and simple backgrounds. They are quick to apply and offer good results without permanently altering the original image data.

Clipping Masking Multi Objects

Clipping masking is the process of using a shape to define which areas of an image are visible. It's like looking through a stencil; only the parts of the image within the shape are displayed, while the rest is hidden. This is particularly useful in Adobe Illustrator to clean background with non-destructive workflow.

To start, open your image in Adobe Illustrator.

You'll be clipping mask it. It might be a photograph, a Raster graphic, or even vector art. The choice depends on the visual style you're aiming for, and Illustrator handles them all with equal ease.

Before diving in, ensure that your image is embedded or linked correctly in your document. This helps maintain the integrity of your work. You can check the 'Links' panel under 'Window' to see the status of your image.

Changing the background

After successfully removing the background from an image in Adobe Illustrator, you can enhance your designs by playing with different backgrounds or placing the images in a new context.

• Changing background color: Select the background layer and change the color.
• Add new design as background: Import your preferred background, and make adjustment.
• Adjust color to match existing artwork: Ensure colors are Cohesive.

Step 1: Preparing Your Image and Setting Up the Document

To start, open your image in Adobe Illustrator. Ensure that the image is embedded or linked correctly in your document to maintain the integrity of your work. You can check the 'Links' panel under 'Window' to see the status of your image.

• Importing the Image: Go to File > Place and select your image.
• Embedding vs. Linking: Embedding the image stores it directly within the Illustrator file, increasing the file size but ensuring that the image remains accessible even if the original file is moved. Linking keeps the image as an external file, reducing the Illustrator file size but requiring the original image to remain in its location.

Press Shift + O, which allows you to resize your artboard. Make sure your image fits the artboard.

Step 2: Outlining the Objects with the Pen Tool

The next crucial step is outlining each object you want to keep, effectively isolating them from the background. The Pen tool is indispensable here, offering precision and control.

• Selecting the Pen Tool: Choose the Pen tool (P) from the toolbar. This tool allows you to create paths and shapes with precise control.
• Adjusting Stroke and Fill: Before you begin drawing, adjust the stroke and fill settings. For outlining, set the fill to none and choose a contrasting color for the stroke so you can clearly see your path.
• Drawing Precise Outlines: Zoom in to get a closer view, and carefully click to create anchor points along the edge of each object. Use bezier curves for smooth transitions, clicking and dragging to adjust the curve handles.

Pro Tip: Use the shortcut Shift + X to convert from stroke to fill when creating an Outline, so you don't need to choose a color from scratch every time.

Step 3: Creating Inner Outlines for Complex Objects

For images where objects have inner spaces that need background removal (e.g., the space between a person’s arm and body), you need to create inner outlines as well. This ensures that those inner background portions are also removed.

• Identifying Inner Spaces: Carefully examine your outlined objects and identify any inner spaces that need outlining.
• Drawing Inner Paths: Using the Pen tool, draw closed paths around these inner spaces. Ensure that these paths are accurate to avoid unwanted clipping.

Zooming in maximum can improve efficiency and accuracy.

Step 4: Using the Shape Builder Tool to Remove Inner Background

The Shape Builder tool allows you to merge, subtract, or intersect shapes, making it perfect for removing inner background portions.

• Selecting the Shape Builder Tool: Choose the Shape Builder tool (Shift + M) from the toolbar.
• Remove the fill, and use stroke only.
• Removing Inner Areas: Press and hold the Alt (Option on Mac) key, and click on the inner paths you created. This will subtract these areas from the larger shape, effectively removing the inner background portions.

Step 5: Compounding Path Creation

To use clipping mask to multiple objects and images, you should make the images in Compounding Paths first.

• Select the group objects and images.
• Go to Object > Compounding Paths > Make
• Press Ctrl + 8 as the short cut key.

Step 6: Applying the Clipping Mask

With all objects outlined and inner backgrounds removed, it’s time to apply the clipping mask. This will hide everything outside the paths you’ve created, leaving you with only the objects you outlined.

• Selecting All Objects: Select all the outlined objects and the image you want to clip.
• Creating the Clipping Mask: Right-click on the selected objects and choose 'Make Clipping Mask' from the context menu, or press Ctrl+7 . This applies the mask, hiding the background and showing only the content within your outlines.

If the clipping mask not working correctly, press Ctrl + Alt + 7 to revert the Clipping Mask for more adjustment.

Result: You now have multi-object Clipping Mask applied successfully.

Step 7: Finalizing and Refining the Image

With the clipping mask applied, you can finalize your image by refining the outlines and adjusting the position of the objects. This ensures a polished and professional look.

• Adjusting Outlines: If necessary, use the Direct Selection tool (A) to adjust individual anchor points and refine the outlines of your objects. This can help to smooth any rough edges or correct minor inaccuracies.
• Positioning Objects: Ensure that the objects are positioned correctly within the clipping mask. You can move them around as needed to achieve the desired composition.