how to make abackround in an image transparent? Currently its black!?

Question

I have this image and it doesnt fit in with the background of the presentation Im doing so I want to make it transparent! I forgot how to do this!
I have photoshop cs2, paint, fireworks...

Answer 1

Well, if the background is solid black, I think you could use the wand tool in Photoshop (that thing that looks like a magic wand) to select the background. When it's highlighted, go to Edit:Cut and that should do it.

Answer 2

In Photoshop CS2

First (if the layer is locked) you need to duplicate the layer.

Then erase the black background, but this can be tricky. If you can use the magic wand tool to grab all the black (and none of the image) then do that, if not you'll want to use the pen tool and cut your image out.

Once you have the image area you want to delete selected then click on Select and choose Feather then select anywhere from 2-5 pixels, depending on the size of your image (you might fiddle around with this until you get it right) Feathing the selection will keep your image from having that cut-out look.

After its feathered delete the background. And take a look. The checked backround should be in back. Try adding another layer and filling with with a dark and a light color so you can see what it will look like when its placed in your document. If you don't like it then go back and mess around with the parameters, If you are happy then go to the HELP menu and select EXPORT TRANSPARENT IMAGE - this will guide you through and creat a transparent eps file for you.

Good luck.

Answer 3

Referring to Photoshop CS2: They put the tool to do this in a very odd place. It's actually under "Help" on your menu bar. It's labelled "Export Transparent Image." You will have had to selected the area you want to be transparent and then choose the correct option under "Which option best decribes your image" Then it's just a matter of following the prompts.

I had a heck of a time with it, too. I could never find that tool. It's just such a wierd place to put it.

(I suppose the previous answerer answered this a heck of a lot better than I did.)