Buzz
Photoshop allows us to create colorless images (backgrounds, layers, or transparent sections) using various options for different transparency effects, based on opacity measurements displayed when creating a new document. Additionally, you can use selection tools or an eraser to make specific areas of the image transparent. Many people use transparency effects in Photoshop when printing designs with patterns or adding images to a textured background on websites (since the pattern will show through the transparent areas). With a bit of practice, you'll be able to quickly add transparent effects to your Photoshop images.
Steps
Create a Transparent Background
Click "File" → "New" (New). Go to the File menu at the top of the window and select "New." A new window will pop up where you can set properties for your new Photoshop document.
Select "Transparent". A menu will appear, where you click on "Background Contents" and choose "Transparent." This option is located near the bottom of the new document window.
Click OK.
Check the layers. Look at the Layers window or the Layers tab in the document's properties bar (which is always open by default). The background layer will appear as a checkerboard pattern in gray and white, indicating transparency.
Adjust the layer to be transparent
Select the layer. Choose the layer you want to make transparent from the list of layers in the Layers tab.
Select the transparency effect. Click on the number box next to the Opacity title at the top of the Layers tab. The default transparency setting is 100%.
Reduce the opacity. Click and drag the arrow on the opacity slider to adjust the layer's transparency. If you want the layer to be fully transparent, set the Opacity to 0%.
Create a transparent area
Select the layer. Choose a layer that isn't transparent, but ensure the layers beneath the selected layer (including the background) are transparent.
Select the area to modify. Create a selection area using one of the Selection tools.
Click Copy to duplicate the selected area.
Press Delete to remove the selected area. Your image will have a hole in it.
Create a new layer. Paste the copied selection into the new layer.
Reduce the opacity. The selected area you defined will become transparent.
Create transparent strokes
Create or select a layer. Choose a layer (it must have an opacity higher than 0%, ideally 100% for full opacity). All layers beneath it should be transparent.
Click the Eraser tool. Select the Eraser from the tool panel.
Adjust the settings. Set the size and shape of the eraser using the Options bar that appears when the Eraser tool is selected.
Use the Eraser tool to draw. Essentially, you're erasing areas you've 'drawn' over, revealing the transparent layers underneath.
Tip
- Click the eye icon next to the layer to make the background of that layer transparent.
Warning
- When applying transparency effects in Photoshop through any transparency options, the information will not be preserved if the image is saved in JPEG format. It's best to save transparent images as a Photoshop Document (PSD) file.
