Using the Background Tool

With the versatile Background  (Fill) tool, you can create transparent and solid-colored background images or use the tool to selectively remove the background around the subject of your image. The Background (Fill) tool can be found in the Edit section of our Photo Editor

This tool is only available for BeFunky Plus subscribers. Upgrade your subscription here!

Create a Transparent or Solid Colored Background

Step 1:  Open your image in the Photo Editor

Step 2: Go to the Edit menu of the Photo Editor, and select Background (Fill) under the Legacy section.

Step 3: By default, when you select the Background (Fill) tool your image will become transparent (that checkerboard signifies transparency). If a transparent background image is what you want, you can click Apply now. For a solid-colored background, continue to Step 4. 

Step 4: To enable the color options, uncheck Transparent.

Step 5: Click the color swatch for Fill Color, then select your color using the Color Picker.

Step 6: Adjust the Fill Amount and Opacity sliders to see your image come through the color overlay.

Pro Tip: If you have the Opacity at 100 and adjust the Fill Amount, you'll get a nice color overlay on your image. 

Selectively Remove an Image Background

Step 1: Follow Steps 1 & 2 above, then select Select mode. 

Step 2: Click Select to let our A.I. detect and differentiate the foreground, background,  or custom areas of your image. This tool works really well for images with defined subjects. If your image has multiple subjects or a very busy background, you may need to manually remove the background.

 By default, the effect will be applied to the whole image and the entire image will appear transparent.

Pro Tip: Use our Cutout tool for a more versatile selection of background removal tools.

Step 3: Manually remove the background. (There are a few ways to do this method, the following steps are what we've found to be the easiest.) Click Invert Selection to reveal your image.

Step 3a (optional): In the bottom navigation bar, check the box next to Show Mask to see where the effect is applied to the image.  The mask will appear as a light green.  Uncheck the box to remove the mask. 
 You can work in multiple ways to selectively apply an effect:

Apply To 

  • Whole Image: Applies the effect to the entire image.
  • Foreground: Applies the effect to the foreground.
  • Background: Applies the effect to the background.
  • Select the Inverse button to invert where the effect is applied.

 Customize Effect Area

Adjust the Brush Settings (Brush Size, Hardness, and Strength), then paint around your subject to remove the background.

  • Selectively add or remove parts of the effect on your image by selecting the Keep or Remove buttons.
  • Keep: Click and drag to apply the effect onto areas of the canvas.
  • Remove: Click and drag to erase the where the effect is applied.

Pro Tip: If you find you've painted over too much of the background, use the Remove tool to bring those areas back. 

Step 4: When you're done, click Apply. When you are ready to save your image, don't forget to save it as a .PNG so it'll preserve the transparency!

22 out of 22 found this helpful