Skip to main content
M
mrbcox47
Known Participant
August 29, 2017
Answered

How can I remove the white background of my vector?

  • August 29, 2017
  • 4 replies
  • 123451 views

Hello,

I have a black and white vector image, but I need to remove the white background and only keep the black part.

Here is a small screenshot from a piece of the image:

I have tried ungrouping everything and individually selecting the white pieces to delete, but it seems like I've processed/converted the image type too much and there are constant hidden layers, blobs, etc. behind each piece.

Any way to just select all of the white areas when it's grouped as one and delete them?


Thanks in advance

    Correct answer Jeff Witchel, ACI

    Select your JPG and in the Image Trace panel start with the default preset and in the Advance area, check Ignore White.

    When your Expand the Image Trace object (Object menu > Image Trace > Expand), the white areas will be see through.

    4 replies

    Jeff Witchel, ACI
    Community Expert
    Jeff Witchel, ACICommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    August 29, 2017

    Here's a screenshot of white areas that are Transparent after being Traced with Ignore White checked.

      Jeff Witchel, ACI
      Community Expert
      Jeff Witchel, ACICommunity ExpertCorrect answer
      Community Expert
      August 29, 2017

      Select your JPG and in the Image Trace panel start with the default preset and in the Advance area, check Ignore White.

      When your Expand the Image Trace object (Object menu > Image Trace > Expand), the white areas will be see through.

      M
      mrbcox47Author
      Known Participant
      August 30, 2017

      Worked quite well, thank you very much! My only qualm is that the picture had an extremely minor "fattening" up effect after I traced, losing some details in the areas with a lot of commotion. Only slightly noticeable and definitely better to work with now.

      Thanks again

      Ray Yorkshire
      Ray Yorkshire
      Participating Frequently
      August 29, 2017

      You could try selecting an area of white

      Select > Same> Fill colour

      Delete on keyboard

        T
        Tabathavm
        Participant
        August 10, 2018

        When I follow these steps, all the "White" turn black. (and i do have transparency grid on)

        Monika Gause
        Community Expert
        Monika GauseCommunity Expert
        Community Expert
        August 10, 2018

          schrieb

        When I follow these steps, all the "White" turn black. (and i do have transparency grid on)

        Please create a new thread and describe your problem. We will also need to see screenshots of the issue. We can't read minds unfortunately.

        chanaart
        Community Expert
        chanaartCommunity Expert
        Community Expert
        August 29, 2017

        First go to the view menu and turn on  the Transparency Grid (Command/Control Option/Alt D)

        So you can see the image on a transparent BKG.

        With the Direct selection tool select only the one area and delete . But this is if it is vector already.

        If it is a JPEG  you will need to eliminate the BKG in Photoshop and trace it in Illustrator!

        Chana

          S
          shal2021
          Participant
          November 18, 2020

          many thx.. ive been racking my brain til i read yoor post!

          Terms & ConditionsAccessibility statement
          Using the community Terms of use Privacy Cookie preferences Do not sell or share my personal information ad choicesAdChoices