Photo Basics
Upload an image and Clipping Magic automatically removes the background from it and shows you the result in the built-in Smart Editor. You can preview and edit your result if you like, and then proceed to download.
Working with Graphics or Scans? Check out the Graphics and Scans tutorials.
Step-by-step tutorial
In the tutorial below we remove the background from a photo of the office Fragrance Diffuser. You can follow along with this written tutorial, or try out this image for yourself in the Editor. View Example In Editor »
The example edits are slightly different from the tutorial below.
1. Upload image
Clipping Magic immediately analyzes your image and automatically produces a result:
Original + Marks
Result
Example specifically chosen so as to illustrate the need for touchups.
2. Inspect & edit Optional
While the fully automatic result is usually immediately usable, there will always be images where it works less well or where you're simply looking for something different. This is why we provide you with a unique Smart Editor where you can inspect your result in detail and make changes.
Zoom in to inspect the result, and apply touchup marks as necessary. Use the red tool to remove any unwanted parts. Use the green tool to bring back any lost foreground. Use the scalpel on troublesome edges.
Original + Marks
Result
Clip Tip:
You can always Undo unfortunate edits, or > Clear Marks and start over.
3. Tweak Optional
Spice things up by adding finishing touches like drop shadows, color adjustments, cropping to the result, and changing the background color. Learn how to in the finishing touches tutorial.
You can also control your edges' smoothness, feathering, and offset. Learn how to in the refine edges tutorial.
Original + Marks
Result
4. Download result
Tips for success
Anything you mark green or red will either be fully in the result (green), or fully removed from it (red). This is why it's so important to not go outside the lines - the result is guaranteed to be wrong.
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Marking Rules |
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Green | = | 100% Foreground | = | Always fully kept in the result |
| Red | = | 100% Background | = | Always fully removed from the result |
| Yellow | = | 1-99% Foreground | = | Partially transparent in the result. See the hair tutorial |
| Unmarked | = | Algorithm decides | = | Leave space to let algorithm figure out exact edge |
| Red and Green marks should never touch | ||||
Go-to fixes
There are three easy fixes when a mistake is made while you're clipping: Erase, Undo, and Add.
Use the Erase tool to remove unwanted marks that are possibly causing problems. Use the undo arrow to address the last few marks made (Or Menu > Clear Marks to completely start over). Finally, add more red and green marks to give the algorithm more information, so it can make a better clip.
Stay within the lines
As mentioned in the "Marking Rules" table, areas marked green will be included in the foreground, and areas marked red will be excluded. This means that marking red in the foreground or green in the background will always produce an incorrect clip. We suggest that you mark carefully, and erase marks that cross boundaries.
×
Original + Marks
×
Result
✓
Original + Marks
✓
Result
Avoid highlighting
It is not necessary to fill in the entire foreground for Clipping Magic to work. The tool works best when you mark sparingly.
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Original + Marks
×
Result
Mark all pieces
Sometimes there is a piece of background within the foreground. You will need to mark such pieces one-by-one.
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Original + Marks
×
Result
✓
Original + Marks
✓
Result
Alternate Between Red and Green
The easiest way to clip an image is to alternate between red and green to let the algorithm give you feedback on where it needs more marks.
Clip Tip:
Use Space Bar to toggle between and
Erase boundary crossing marks
Leave space to let the algorithm find the exact edge. For best results, red and green should never touch. Use the scalpel for precision control of the boundary.
