How to create images without white backgrounds

[serene-artist]

Hey everyone!
I seem to be having trouble trying to find a program that doesn't have a white background for the characters I draw when I save them
Are there are free programs I can download that can take away the white background? Please help and much thanks!!

[SparkleDash]

You need a program that can save transparent .png images.
Maybe try out GIMP? It's free, at least. ^^

Just remember to make the background layer transparent!

[HigurashiKira]

Or if you have a program that can handle layers (GIMP, Paint.Net, Photoshop, etc) start drawing in a new layer above the white background. After you're done, you can erase the white background layer and save the image as a .png

[serene-artist]

You need a program that can save transparent .png images.
Maybe try out GIMP? It's free, at least. ^^

Just remember to make the background layer transparent!

Thank you so much for the quick reply! I've never used GIMP before, so I'll try it out! Make background layer transparent...understood.

[serene-artist]

Or if you have a program that can handle layers (GIMP, Paint.Net, Photoshop, etc) start drawing in a new layer above the white background. After you're done, you can erase the white background layer and save the image as a .png

Actually, I've been using a program with layers. Sorry, what do you mean by erasing the white background layer? I use multiple layers for shading, hair, etc....so which one do I erase? Thank you for answering!!

[SparkleDash]

What program are you using right now?

[serene-artist]

What program are you using right now?

Open Canvas 1.1, the free version

[Fawn]

Just so you know next time, art questions should be posted in the Skill Development side of the forum.

However, to answer your question, not all programs with layers are able to export transparent backgrounds. You need to use a program that creates transparent layers.

Open Canvas 1.1 not only does not have this feature, but it would be bad for sprites and general game graphics because it's more for making digital paintings than smooth PNG graphics.

I'd try to explain transparency more but it's much easier for you to just experiment with it yourself. As mentioned before, GIMP has transparent layers. All you have to do is make sure the background has the grey checkerboards on it. Download it, watch some video tutorials and have fun.

[SparkleDash]

Umm... I'm pretty sure Open Canvas doesn't support the .png format.

So you'd have to open your images in a program that does (like GIMP or Photoshop) and remove the white background. Though that can be tricky, and leave ugly white outlines around your picture. ^^;
It would be easier to just draw your images in a program that supports transparency, in the future. Just draw ontop of a transparent layer instead of a white background.

EDIT; Fawn explained everything much better than I could ever hope to. ||OTL

[manga_otaku]

Paint.NET also supports transparent .png files. There's also the handy magic wand tool to rid white backgrounds and then you can save it as a .png file. (But if there are gaps between the background and sprite then it'll continue to all parts that are connected...>_<) It's also a free program to use ^_^

[serene-artist]

Just so you know next time, art questions should be posted in the Skill Development side of the forum.

However, to answer your question, not all programs with layers are able to export transparent backgrounds. You need to use a program that creates transparent layers.

Open Canvas 1.1 not only does not have this feature, but it would be bad for sprites and general game graphics because it's more for making digital paintings than smooth PNG graphics.

I'd try to explain transparency more but it's much easier for you to just experiment with it yourself. As mentioned before, GIMP has transparent layers. All you have to do is make sure the background has the grey checkerboards on it. Download it, watch some video tutorials and have fun.

Sorry! I didn't know where to post this. Thank you very much for your answer! I see....so Open Canvas WAS a bad choice. Hopefully I'm able to learn how to use GIMP. Sorry, one last question. Do I draw on the grey checkerboards, or just make sure it's there?

[serene-artist]

Umm... I'm pretty sure Open Canvas doesn't support the .png format.

So you'd have to open your images in a program that does (like GIMP or Photoshop) and remove the white background. Though that can be tricky, and leave ugly white outlines around your picture. ^^;
It would be easier to just draw your images in a program that supports transparency, in the future. Just draw ontop of a transparent layer instead of a white background.

EDIT; Fawn explained everything much better than I could ever hope to. ||OTL

Not true, you helped me alot! Thanks for answering, I'll just have to restart on another program. (Good thing I'm new so it wasn't much haha)

[serene-artist]

Paint.NET also supports transparent .png files. There's also the handy magic wand tool to rid white backgrounds and then you can save it as a .png file. (But if there are gaps between the background and sprite then it'll continue to all parts that are connected...>_<) It's also a free program to use ^_^

Thanks for the suggestion! If GIMP doesn't work out, I think I can go with Paint.Net.....though I vaguely remember those white outlines before....