How to Create a Transparent GIF in Photoshop

Transparent GIFs (in which the background of the image is transparent) are ideal for blending into the background of a Web page or creating Web animations. Adobe Photoshop makes transparency easy!

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Adobe Photoshop

1. Start Photoshop and open the image.

2. Convert RGB images to Index for optimum transparency.

3. Select Export from the File menu. Choose GIF89a Export.

4. Use the color picker tool to select the colors that will be eliminated to make the transparency. For example, pick the background color to make the background disappear.

5. Click OK and rename the image.

Tips & Warnings

• Save the new transparent image under a new name to retain the original image.

on 11/22/2005 A lot of times when you go to remove a color using the color-picker in this way, the bulk of the colors are similar because of shading, etc., and you can end up losing the color throughout the enire image. Instead, using the paint bucket tool, click on the areas that you'd like to be transparent using an opposite color from your color scheme or a bright color that isn't in it at all. This helps you to see what you'll be left with for your .gif image, and when you go to remove that color, there's no fear of choosing the wrong one.

on 11/22/2005 Your air brush can be reshaped to any design by clicking on the magic wand tool then on anything in your image, such as a tree. Open the brush, click on Define Brush, select air brush tool, then paint with the shape of a tree, or any shape.