Magic+Eraser

=Erase backgrounds= [|Remove Complex Backgrounds from Images in Photoshop (Credit: How to Geek)]
 * [[image:http://www.howtogeek.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/sshot94.png]] ||

While tools like the Magic Eraser can sometimes remove your backgrounds, the fact is you’re going to have to get your hands dirty with the eraser if you have images with complex backgrounds that need removing. While this can be time consuming, you can save yourself a lot of time with a little Photoshop wizardry. Let’s take a look.
 * [[image:http://www.howtogeek.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/sshot99.png]] ||

Right click your Background Layer in your Layers Palette, and choose “Layer from Background…” It automatically renames as Layer 0. Simply press OK.
 * [[image:http://www.howtogeek.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/sshot101.png]] ||

Your Layers Palette should only have a single layer, your newly unlocked “Layer 0.”
 * [[image:http://www.howtogeek.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/sshot104.png]] ||

Press to select the Lasso Tool. Check your options on your Control Palette near the top of your Photoshop screen. Make sure that yours looks like this screenshot. Most importantly, be certain that “Anti-Alias” is turned off.
 * [[image:http://www.howtogeek.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/L1.png]] ||
 * [[image:http://www.howtogeek.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/sshot105.png]] ||

Use your Lasso to draw a rough selection around your image. Don’t worry about being precise—we’re going to cut it out with more precision later.
 * [[image:http://www.howtogeek.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/sshot106.png]] ||

When your selection is done, press to move your rough selection to a new layer with “Layer Via Cut.” You can safely delete “Layer 0” and work only in your new layer.
 * [[image:http://www.howtogeek.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/ctrlshiftJ1.png]] ||
 * [[image:http://www.howtogeek.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/sshot112.png]] ||

Press to bring up the eraser tool, or find it in your Toolbox.
 * [[image:http://www.howtogeek.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/e.png]] ||
 * [[image:http://www.howtogeek.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/sshot114.png]] ||

Visit your Control Palette again and set your “Mode” to “Pencil.” This ensures your eraser has a hard edge.
 * [[image:http://www.howtogeek.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/sshot115.png]] ||

Use the eraser to mouse around and delete the parts you don’t want. Get close to your image, but be careful when cutting into it.
 * [[image:http://www.howtogeek.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/sshot116.png]] ||

Keep in mind you can always undo with a swift to undo or step back through your history(It’s like multiple levels of undo, in case you’re not familiar).
 * [[image:http://www.howtogeek.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/ctrlz.png]] ||
 * [[image:http://www.howtogeek.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/Ctrlaltz.png]] ||
 * [[image:http://www.howtogeek.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/sshot118.png]] ||

You don’t need to remove every bit at this point. Once you’ve created a continuous gap around your image, we can start to remove the superfluous stuff you no longer need.
 * [[image:http://www.howtogeek.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/sshot120.png]] ||

Now you can simply use your eraser to remove the remainder of your image, but I don’t like spending more time on a routine task than I need to.