Removing a background in Adobe Illustrator is an essential skill for designers looking to create clean, professional images. Whether you're preparing a logo, an icon, or any other graphic, mastering background removal will help you achieve a polished result. Here's how to do it:

Step 1: Open Your Image in Illustrator

Start by opening your image in Adobe Illustrator. You can do this by going to File > Open and selecting the image file.

Step 2: Select the Image

Once your image is on the artboard, use the "Selection Tool" (V) to select the entire image.

Step 3: Open the Image Trace Panel

Navigate to Window > Image Trace to open the Image Trace panel. This panel allows you to convert the image into a vector format, which is necessary for background removal.

Step 4: Trace the Image

In the Image Trace panel, select a preset that works best for your image, such as "Black and White" or "High Fidelity Photo." Adjust the "Threshold" and other settings until your image is properly traced, focusing on preserving the subject while eliminating the background.

Step 5: Expand the Image

Click the "Expand" button in the top toolbar. This action will convert the traced image into a fully editable vector path.

Step 6: Remove the Background

With the image expanded, use the "Direct Selection Tool" (A) to select and delete the background paths. Carefully select the unwanted background areas and press the "Delete" key.

Step 7: Fine-Tune the Edges

After removing the background, you may need to fine-tune the edges of your subject. Use the "Pen Tool" (P) or "Eraser Tool" (Shift+E) to clean up any remaining background artifacts or smooth out the edges.

Conclusion and Alternative Solution

Removing backgrounds in Illustrator can be a precise but time-consuming process. For a quicker, more efficient alternative, try the Simplified Background Remover. Simplified offers an easy-to-use tool that quickly removes backgrounds from images, saving you time and effort while delivering professional results.

Explore Simplified today to streamline your background removal tasks!