Newbie: how do I make a background transparent?

[sigamy]

I just purchased MacHeist so I now have Pixelmator. I also have Seashore. I need to make a web logo transparent. Right now the background is white.

Anyone care to walk me thru step by step on how to do this?

 

[Aperture]

If you have Leopard you can do this right in Preview. Just click on Select (In Preview) & keep holding it down till a menu appears in which you can select "Instant Alpha".

 

[bluetooth]

I am not familiar with those Apps, but the same general rule applies with most transparent web logos - you need to have a transparent background to begin with and you then export the file as a .png or .gif file.

If your logo does not have a transparent background and is currently a flat jpg image with white background, you could bring it into AI and apply a Live Trace to make it a vector or you could go to "Create Outlines" or "Outline Path" in AI to get rid of the white background.

Then it is a simple export through AI to a .png file.

In my experience, a .png file will give you smoother curves then a .gif.

 

[Aperture]

I am not familiar with those Apps, but the same general rule applies with most transparent web logos - you need to have a transparent background to begin with and you then export the file as a .png or .gif file.

If your logo does not have a transparent background and is currently a flat jpg image with white background, you could bring it into AI and apply a Live Trace to make it a vector or you could go to "Create Outlines" or "Outline Path" in AI to get rid of the white background.

Then it is a simple export through AI to a .png file.

In my experience, a .png file will give you smoother curves then a .gif.

The problem is that the OP didn't mention Illustrator, only Pixelmator & Seashore. (Which I am not familiar with)

 

[7on]

That is interesting about the Instant Alpha in Leopard though. That might be fun to play with

 

[JasonElise1983]

Well, Pixelmator is just like Photoshop in most ways, and i've even used it a little. Basically, you'll need to go to your layers palette and make your "background" layer an actual editable layer. Then select the magic wand (can't remember what it's called in Pixelmator) tool and select the white background around the logo. Make sure everything you don't want to see is selected...then just press "delete". Save as a .PSD for yourself to use, or .PNG for web use.

-JE