One thing I find myself doing often while programming our GAAP Dynamics eLearning courses is removing the background of images. I do this when creating some of our custom sliders and custom click-to-reveals –

Removing the background from an image in Photoshop provides a nice, clean look to your eLearning course slide. If you used an image with a background, you could get a slider that looks a little something like this –

Now that just doesn’t look right. I’ve read and followed quite a few blog posts and tutorials showing different methods to remove the background. In today’s post, I’m going to share my go-to method!

Step 1: Open your Image in Photoshop

Find and save the image you’d like to use in a folder. We get a lot of our images from eLearning Brothers, but Storyline also has some great images within their Content Library!

Step 2: Duplicate your Layer

Navigate to the Layers panel and duplicate your first layer. Rename the newly created layer and hide your original layer.

Step 3: Select the Magic Eraser Tool and Update Preferences

While on the duplicated layer, select the Magic Eraser tool located under the eraser tool.

Input the following preferences:

Tolerance – 30

Anti-Alias – checked

Opacity – 100%

Step 4: Erase the Background

While on the duplicated layer, click the background with the Magic Eraser selected. Now, your background is gone!

Step 5: Save your Image as a PNG

Now that you have your perfect image, export the image as a PNG. Be sure that Transparent is checked as well. 

Step 6: Place your Image in your eLearning Course

Now that you have your image saved without the background, you can place it almost anywhere in your eLearning course! With a transparent background, it can be placed over anything.

About GAAP Dynamics  

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