How to Remove White Backgrounds in Affinity Designer (Quick & Easy!)

[@AffinityRevolution]

IMPORTANT TIP! If your entire image is deleted when you press the delete key on your keyboard, that means your photo was not rasterized. That can happen if you open a photo in a way other than File > Open. I recommend you use File > Open to open your photo, and then follow along with the tutorial. Alternatively, you can right click on your photo's layer in the Layer’s Panel, and then click “Rasterize & Trim”. Then everything should work as expected. I hope that helps. 😊

[@robainscough]

Thank you, I was struggling because I use the Create file from Clipboard and your method above was not working until after I read you comment that I need to "Rasterize & Trim" prior to working on setting background to Transparent. You might want to considered adding annotation to your KZbin video so users are aware since Create File from Clipboard is a very common task.

[@nofuneral1790]

This additional tip here fixed everything. Thank you so much!

[@cackleberryfarm4598]

That IS an "Important Tip" followed it and it worked perfectly!! Thanks!

[@ElChorchis]

You are a life saver! Thank you 🙏

[@juhik.4104]

Thank youuu

[@omerjamal1133]

Your enthusiasm for the Affinity products was contagious and it made learning from you all the more enjoyable.

[@AffinityRevolution]

Thank you Omer! That's so nice of you. 😊

[@3Dsirius]

Your tutorials are concise and above all of this are so relaxing in the same time. A pleasure to learn from them. Keep posting.

[@AffinityRevolution]

Thank you! That's so nice of you. 😊

[@relliehunter]

I've been trying to achieve this without getting a "halo" of light pixels around the edge, for a few years now and achieved a perfect result with your tutorial. Thank you so much! It seems that the File > Open action was the trick! I was dropping and dragging till now. Thank you so much!

[@AffinityRevolution]

That's great! I'm glad it worked for you. 😊

[@gga3053]

Such a great technique! Thank you for teaching us so many new things about the Affinity products over the years!!

[@AffinityRevolution]

You're welcome! Glad you liked the video. 😊

[@k.m.a.286]

Thank you. Easy to understand. Easy explained. 👍

[@IdahoSAM.]

Great video. Keep these coming. I have yet to master much in Designer so far. I do need to finish Ezra's course from a year or so ago. Thanks!

[@AffinityRevolution]

Thank you! I have many more Designer tutorials to come. 😊

[@CrowningSuccess]

My affinity designer doesn't seem to have anitalias button anywhere. It does from contiguous over to refine. Where in the toolbar or up in the header can I find this? I have search and even googled this but can't find an answer to where it is if your's is not where it should be. Thanks...I hope you see this question.

[@AffinityRevolution]

It sounds like you are using Affinity Designer Version 1.10. You need to have Version 2 of Affinity Designer to have the antialias option, which unfortunately is a paid upgrade. 😕 BUT, here's what you can do instead! After making your selection, press the "Refine" button right next to where the "Contiguous" option is. Then Press "Apply". That will do pretty much the same thing as antialiasing.

[@georgetorres8980]

This will be really helpful, thanks!

[@AffinityRevolution]

Thank you George! 😊

[@chefmikebenninger481]

simple and to the point, perfectly done....

[@AffinityRevolution]

Thank you! 🤗

[@KM-fe7xe]

Love your tutorials. They’ve helped me out so much. ❤

[@AffinityRevolution]

Thank you so much! 🤗

[@robb2869]

Amazing, thank you for this, it's just what I've been looking for! Preview on mac wasn't the best for my needs as I want to remove the white backgrounds in some of my woodworking plans so I'd been searching for background removing apps when I stumbled upon your excellent video, this works perfectly and is very easy and controllable...thank you 👍🏻

[@AffinityRevolution]

Thank you! Glad you liked the video. 😊

[@kend4128]

Terrific tip and really helpful for Photo- excellent video, as always!

[@AffinityRevolution]

Thank you! Glad you liked this quick little tutorial. 😊

[@W.Producciones]

Hello, thank you very much for your excellent explanation and more with the topic of how to open a photo to be able to make a good crop, really congratulations for your instructions, a hug from Colombia!!

[@AffinityRevolution]

Thank you! Glad you liked the video. 😊

[@HalkerVeil]

In case others have the same issue. I didn't have anti-alias until I upgraded to 2.0 which I didn't know was even out.

[@AffinityRevolution]

That's true. Thanks for pointing that out for other people!

[@cghlnn]

Does it still work without the upgrade?😊

[@HalkerVeil]

@@cghlnn Yeah but not with anti-alias so it's a lot more cleanup work.

[@Chanceschanceandfamily]

Thank you!

[@MyCrazyLife516]

Hi, I followed your tutorial to remove an all black background, but I cannot select anything when I click in the image. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[@stewsc9]

I tried doing this as well as other selection methods and it jus deletes the whole picture and leaves the selection in place. Am I missing a certain setting or is the current version different?

[@stewsc9]

Nvm! If people are struggling with this rasterize the image first... *face palm

[@AffinityRevolution]

Good job figuring it out! 😊

[@walkertalker3232]

Can you do this with a black backround too?

[@AffinityRevolution]

You sure can! 😊

[@tammya7138]

Another great video. I need to do this so much and have been unable to figure it out in designer. So thank you thank you!

[@AffinityRevolution]

Thank you Tammy! Glad you liked the video. 😊

[@ClaireAMurray]

Excellent. I've been racking my brain to try to do this and you showed me how!

[@AffinityRevolution]

Thanks Claire! Glad you liked the video. 😊

[@enerac]

Great tutorial!! Is there one for removing non-white backgrounds on affinity design iPad app?

[@AffinityRevolution]

I don't have a video on that topic, but thank you for the idea! 😊

[@enerac]

@@AffinityRevolution thank you! Looking forward to this tutorial!

[@deloreshillcreative]

Thank you for this tutorial. I tried it with Affinity Designer, but instead of it deleting the background it deleted the whole image. I also only had the option for contiguous and not for antialias.

[@AffinityRevolution]

It sounds like the image was not rasterized. This can happen if you open a photo in a way other than using File > Open. I recommend you use File > Open to open the dog photo, and then try again. Alternatively, you can right click on the photo's layer in the Layer’s Panel, and then click “Rasterize & Trim”. Then everything should work as expected. I hope that helps. 😊

[@sewoutsidethebox]

Thanks, Ally! Great tutorial.

[@AffinityRevolution]

You're welcome! Glad you liked it. 😊

[@OficialProjetoRaiz]

Perfet tutorial Very simple and direct Thank you so much BUT, remember to rasterize the image before use the flood tool.

[@AffinityRevolution]

Thank you! Glad you liked the video. 😊

[@ELEM_Apparel]

You are friggin' fantastic!!!! Thank you! Thank you also for the file > open tip. Whew!

[@AffinityRevolution]

You're welcome! I'm glad the tipped helped 😊

[@meishamariepaul3518]

That was so quick and easy, thank you.

[@AffinityRevolution]

Thanks Meisha! Glad you liked the video. 😊

[@thelionstudioz]

Thank you for this tutorial.

[@AffinityRevolution]

You're welcome! Glad you liked it. 😊

[@kwakukwakugh7031]

very simple and straight to the point. thanks!

[@AffinityRevolution]

You're welcome! Glad you liked the video. 😊

[@k.m.a.286]

Very nice. Thank you.

[@AffinityRevolution]

You're welcome! Glad you liked the video. 😊

[@JoshuaSteele]

Awesome! So useful, thank you!

[@AffinityRevolution]

Thank you! Glad you liked the video. 😊

[@clevelandsfinestentertainment]

Can you do this with photo?

[@AffinityRevolution]

Yes, Affinity Photo has the exact same tool. You don't even need to change personas, like how I did in this video. 🙂

[@cremecut6659]

That 'contiguous' does it for me. Thanks

[@AffinityRevolution]

Glad it helped! 😊

[@keithwjones]

Nice quick video, making life easy

[@AffinityRevolution]

Thank you! Glad you liked it. 😊

[@MarieStephensArt]

I do not seem to have the antialiasing box to click. Why would that be?

[@AffinityRevolution]

Are you on Version 1.10 of Affinity Designer? You need to have Version 2 of Affinity Designer to have that option, which unfortunately is a paid upgrade. 😕 BUT, here's what you can do instead! After making your selection, press the "Refine" button right next to where the "Contiguous" option is. Then Press "Apply". That will do pretty much the same thing as antialiasing.

[@ChrisB257]

Hah - so easy - when demonstrated! Thanks Ally :)

[@AffinityRevolution]

It really is easy! 😊

[@ClaraSais]

Hi. I’m new to Affinity having been a Photoshop user until it got way too expensive! Thank you for this really helpful tutorial. How can you add a selection and deselect from a section please as it selects areas I don’t want? I know in photoshop whilst you have the magic wand you can press certain keys to add/subtract? TIA

[@parkerrex]

ty u rock

[@dougdina]

Hi Ally, Sorry to post this question on here but I don't know who else to ask. I use a Mac Studio and when I use the Open file window set to Icons, there seems to be no way to increase the icon size. I've checked a bunch of other software and most of them have a means of increasing the icon size. Is there no way to do that with Affinity Photo? Thx !!

[@AffinityRevolution]

Affinity does not have a way to increase the icon sizes. That's an oft requested feature, but they haven't added it yet. Sorry!

[@HSGG_]

works on af photo too right?

[@AffinityRevolution]

Yes!

[@DSGQR]

Fantastic. Thank you!

[@AffinityRevolution]

Thank you! Glad you liked the video. 😊

[@thecurtish]

When I hit the delete key, the whole layer deletes, not just the background. What am I doing wrong?

[@AffinityRevolution]

It sounds like the image was not rasterized. This can happen if you open a photo in a way other than using File > Open. I recommend you use File > Open to open the dog photo, and then try again. Alternatively, you can right click on the dog’s layer in the Layer’s Panel, and then click “Rasterize & Trim”. Then everything should work as expected. I hope that helps! :)

[@willyt3836]

Thank you so much you are a God save

[@AffinityRevolution]

Thank you! Glad you liked the video. 😊

[@NoxHardigan]

I'm not seeing the Antialias or its checkbox at the top. All the rest of the options are there though. Did I miss something?

[@RTGamer64]

thank for the tip. going to give you a sub

[@AffinityRevolution]

Thank you! I'm glad you liked the video. 😊

[@valeriecoestudio2800]

Thank you for this video, but could you please clarify what I should do on an Ipad. When you get to the point where you say hit ctrl D on a pc, etc. you don't say what to do at that point on an Ipad. Thanks so much for your help!

[@crashgtr]

This looks easy when you do it but when I try it, on a pale green background with a mug in the foreground, the tools selects all kinds of extra stuff from white mug and only parts of the background. Is there a different technique to remove background colors other than white?

[@jean_mollycutpurse_winchester]

Thank you so very much

[@AffinityRevolution]

You're welcome Molly! I'm glad you liked the video.

[@loudabarca8676]

Great video

[@AffinityRevolution]

Thank you! 😊

[@PLIDD]

helpful thanks

[@AffinityRevolution]

Thank you! Glad you liked the video. 😊

[@joejohnson3998]

When I press delete, the entire image goes away, and the outline of the object is dotted line. Followed these instructions exactly, dunno what setting is wrong somewhere

[@AffinityRevolution]

It sounds like the image was not rasterized. This can happen if you open a photo in a way other than using File > Open. I recommend you use File > Open to open the dog photo, and then try again. Alternatively, you can right click on the photo's layer in the Layer’s Panel, and then click “Rasterize & Trim”. Then everything should work as expected. I hope that helps. 😊

[@dawnjohnson8739]

Thank you!

[@AffinityRevolution]

You're welcome! 😊

[@4toes1nose]

Thank you

[@AffinityRevolution]

Thank you Kevin! 🤗

[@TulipWife]

Ty!

[@AffinityRevolution]

You're welcome! 😊

[@samweiss]

👍❤

[@AffinityRevolution]

Thank you! 😊

[@righttoexplain]

Wonderful.

[@AffinityRevolution]

Thank you! 😊

[@ariesputra4201]

This is only V2 or can be using in V1?

[@pmd1973]

Can I have some help please? I posted a comment asking for help earlier and it got moderated away. When I attempt to do this in Affinity Designer or Photo, it deletes the whole image. I can see it is selected and even shows up red when I refine... but when I hit delete, the whole image vanishes. I can still see the marque of the intended image but it is gone. This is a reoccurring thing, no matter what image I use.

[@AffinityRevolution]

It sounds like the image was not rasterized. This can happen if you open a photo in a way other than using File > Open. I recommend you use File > Open to open the dog photo, and then try again. Alternatively, you can right click on the dog’s layer in the Layer’s Panel, and then click “Rasterize & Trim”. Then everything should work as expected. I hope that helps! :)

[@mysafename1694]

ine drawings create vector files for fiber, laser, as well as diode lasers. Those can be in .svg or .PNG files. Black and white drawings only. High contrast.

[@milliondollagirl843]

How do I get the antiallias on my screen

[@zakaroonetwork777]

I changed to all layers now I can make a selection but Delete is not an Option... ???

[@bkeati7]

It didn't work! using version 2.52____??? why in pdf format can it be done using jpeg format?

[@mc_dunkan]

When i press DEL on my keyboard, it deletes the entire layer. How can i solve?

[@AffinityRevolution]

It sounds like the image was not rasterized. This can happen if you open a photo in a way other than using File > Open. I recommend you use File > Open to open the dog photo, and then try again. Alternatively, you can right click on the photo's layer in the Layer’s Panel, and then click “Rasterize & Trim”. Then everything should work as expected. I hope that helps. 😊

[@rvrt1829]

my version doesn't have that magic wand tool

[@GordonBagshaw-GBEnglishClass]

everything is great until i click delete and then everything is gone except for the selection outline. i don't know

[@GordonBagshaw-GBEnglishClass]

oh i read your tip in the comment above. solved. thanks

[@kolethchannel4000]

I did everything you said and it deleted my entire image

[@AffinityRevolution]

If your entire image is deleted when you press the delete key on your keyboard, that means your photo was not rasterized. That can happen if you open a photo in a way other than File > Open. I recommend you use File > Open to open your photo, and then follow along with the tutorial. Alternatively, you can right click on your photo's layer in the Layer’s Panel, and then click “Rasterize & Trim”. Then everything should work as expected. I hope that helps. 😊

[@micklocklin5805]

doesnt work at all????? I do this and i select the image not the background even though i selected the background?

[@AffinityRevolution]

It sounds like the image was not rasterized. This can happen if you open a photo in a way other than using File > Open. I recommend you use File > Open to open the dog photo, and then try again. Alternatively, you can right click on the photo's layer in the Layer’s Panel, and then click “Rasterize & Trim”. Then everything should work as expected. I hope that helps. 😊

[@micklocklin5805]

could the problem be that it is a Post Script file?@@AffinityRevolution

[@AffinityRevolution]

@@micklocklin5805 Yes, that could be the problem. This video is meant for removing the background of photos, like JPEGs.

[@rmuchamadbudimulyono6872]

Affinity V2?

[@ernesthemingway3181]

it just deletes the image and keeps the background when i do that

[@boboscurse4130]

Why doesn't this work for me? Nothing happens when I hit Delete.

[@Fremisupply]

Doesn't work on my dudie! 😕 it delete everything.!

[@AffinityRevolution]

It sounds like the image was not rasterized. This can happen if you open a photo in a way other than using File > Open. I recommend you use File > Open to open the dog photo, and then try again. Alternatively, you can right click on the photo's layer in the Layer’s Panel, and then click “Rasterize & Trim”. Then everything should work as expected. I hope that helps. 😊

[@Fremisupply]

@@AffinityRevolution Ok, thank you dudie. 👍🏻

[@DigiDriftZone]

Don't forget to press rasterise!

[@peace.n.blessings5579]

Thank you

[@AffinityRevolution]

You're welcome! 😊

[@zakaroonetwork777]

I click background but it doesn't make a selection, not any were I click... ??? even clicking on the art work

[@MyCrazyLife516]

Same here. Need help?

[@knowalex]

When i do this it deletes the whole layer no matter how I change it, what do I do?

[@AffinityRevolution]

That happens if your photo was not rasterized. That can happen if you open a photo in a way other than File > Open. I recommend you use File > Open to open your photo, and then follow along with the tutorial. Alternatively, you can right click on your photo's layer in the Layer’s Panel, and then click “Rasterize & Trim”. Then everything should work as expected. I hope that helps. 😊

[@walkertalker3232]

The antialias is not showing up :(

[@AffinityRevolution]

I think that option is only available in Affinity Designer Version 2 (not version 1).

[@walkertalker3232]

@@AffinityRevolution how to i get Version 2?

[@lamaalsharyan5187]

Thank you 😊 ☺

[@JackSmith-ud9bg]

Thank you