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T
the cartesian
Participating Frequently
July 6, 2021
Answered

Eraser tool defaulting to background

  • July 6, 2021
  • 3 replies
  • 6367 views

Hi, I'm a newcomer to photoshop 2021 on Mac as do most edits in Lightroom, but love the eraser tool in PS (I'm not familiar with masks yet). Something has caused my eraser to default to "erasing to white" and despite reading all the forum answers none have worked for me. I've reset tools, command/alt/delete whene opening, uninstalled and reinstalled, tried to switch layers etc but all i can achieve is either 1> erase to white 2> erase to black 3> erase to white/grey pixels - if anyone can show me where on the screen i need to toggle to get to "erase to transparent" i'd be grateful as have no idea what i've changed - i'll learn masks later i promise !

 

thanks, Matt 

 

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Correct answer jane-e
@the cartesian wrote:

but love the eraser tool in PS (I'm not familiar with masks yet). Something has caused my eraser to default to "erasing to white"

 

Hi Matt,

You don't want the eraser tool in your case. Use Content Aware Fill to replace the rock with the water, as @c.pfaffenbichler indicates.

https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/using/erasing-parts-image.html

https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/using/content-aware-fill.html

~ Jane

3 replies

jane-e
Community Expert
jane-eCommunity ExpertCorrect answer
Community Expert
July 6, 2021
@the cartesian wrote:

but love the eraser tool in PS (I'm not familiar with masks yet). Something has caused my eraser to default to "erasing to white"

 

Hi Matt,

You don't want the eraser tool in your case. Use Content Aware Fill to replace the rock with the water, as @c.pfaffenbichler indicates.

https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/using/erasing-parts-image.html

https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/using/content-aware-fill.html

~ Jane

    T
    the cartesianAuthor
    Participating Frequently
    July 6, 2021

    many thanks all, did try that on the original image but it was sketchy, works perfectly here though.

     

    I think i'll continue with the content aware as opposed to eraser from now on and just keep practicing......really appreciate the assistance 

     

      War Unicorn
      Community Expert
      War UnicornCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      July 6, 2021

      Just to add: When using Content-Aware Fill in the Fill dialog, you won't see the results until after the fact. (When you click OK.) And the new edit destructively destroys your original layer.

       

      Content-Aware Fill has a dedicated workspace when it's invoked via Edit > Content-Aware Fill, which allows for a lot more control over the image, as well as previewing changes before dedicating. Don't want that smaller rock included in the fill? You can do that.

       

      When using this method (by default), a new layer of the modified pixels appears *on top of* your original image.

       

      It might be a good idea to mask out parts of this layer so as to complete the illusion. (e.g., In c.paff's example, the smaller rock was cloned into the fill, which looks obvious.)

        c.pfaffenbichler
        Community Expert
        c.pfaffenbichlerCommunity Expert
        Community Expert
        July 6, 2021

        Could you please post screenshots with the pertinent Panels (Toolbar, Layers, Options Bar, …) visible? 

        T
        the cartesianAuthor
        Participating Frequently
        July 6, 2021

        1st shows i am in background layer

        2nd shows me unlocking this

         

        3rd enlarged

         

        hitting the locking / pixels icon etc....none of it reverts to transparent effect though

         

        T
        the cartesianAuthor
        Participating Frequently
        July 6, 2021

        What is the Selection for? 

        Where did you erase in the image in the screenshot? 

         

        »3> erase to white/grey pixels«

        Do you mean the Transparency-checkerboard pattern? 


        ignore the selection.....this isn't the image i'm editing either, but i can't post the actual image as it's a child at sports day....was just an example of the screen shot - yes re 3, the checkerboard pattern.

         

        I am probably missing something terribly obvious....

         

        jane-e
        Community Expert
        jane-eCommunity Expert
        Community Expert
        July 6, 2021
        @the cartesian wrote:

        if anyone can show me where on the screen i need to toggle to get to "erase to transparent" i'd be grateful

         

         

        Hi Matt,

        It sounds like you are working on a Background layer, which cannot be transparent. The eraser tool will use the background color swatch. To convert the Background layer to a regular layer, simply unlock it by clicking the lock icon in the layers panel. On a regular layer you can erase to transparent.

         

        Transparency was introduced to PS with PS 5.5. Until then, Background layers were required.

         

        ~ Jane

         

         

          T
          the cartesianAuthor
          Participating Frequently
          July 6, 2021

          Thanks Jane, I tried that first but it hasn't resolved. I have switched from background to simply "layer" and hit unlock (the pixels icon) and then selected eraser again, it gives pixels instead of white or black background.

           

          It's as though it can't see the image but can only revert to the background. Previously it worked seamlessly and i dont' receall adjusting or amending any settings, have also rest all settings and even reinstalled.....confused.

           

           

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