Creative ToolsImage tools
Cut out a subject with Remove Background
Remove Background is the Nodespell Creative Tool for isolating the subject of an image and removing everything behind it. You give it one image and select Remove background. With the default model, Silhouette, the result is a transparent cutout at the original image size, with options for hair, fur, and soft edges. The cutout is a new image take you can composite or export.
When should I use Remove Background?
Section titled “When should I use Remove Background?”Use Remove Background when you need the subject on its own, for a product shot, a composite, or a new background.
| If you want to | Use |
|---|---|
| Remove the background from a still image automatically | Remove Background |
| Pull a key from a green or blue screen | A Keyer node; see Masks and keying |
| Replace the background with a described scene | Image Editor |
| Place the cutout over a new background | Remove Background, then a compositor; see Compositing |
Remove a background
Section titled “Remove a background”- Open Create, select All tools, and choose Remove Background.
- Add the image under the source input with Choose assets.
- Check the model card. The default model is Silhouette.
- Open More settings to change the method or edges if needed.
- Select Remove background.
On a Graph canvas, add Remove Background from the Tab menu or from the Image section of the canvas right-click menu, and connect an image to it. See Creative Tools on the canvas.
Remove Background inputs and controls
Section titled “Remove Background inputs and controls”| Control | What it does | Options or default |
|---|---|---|
| Source image | The image to cut out | Required, one image |
| Model card | Chooses the model | Default Silhouette |
| More settings | The model’s own options | Collapsed |
| Generations | Number of runs to submit | 1 to 4, default 1 (Create only) |
| Remove background | Runs the model | Shows the credit estimate on paid plans |
Which models work with Remove Background?
Section titled “Which models work with Remove Background?”The picker shows Silhouette (the default) and Bria Remove Background under Featured. All models also lists Remove Background Carve Tracer and Transparent Background.
How do the controls change with the model?
Section titled “How do the controls change with the model?”With Silhouette, you get these settings. The last three sit inside the Edge adjustments group:
| Setting | What it does | Options or default |
|---|---|---|
| Method | How edges are treated | General (default) for most subjects, or Hair & soft edges for hair, fur, and partly transparent boundaries |
| Expand / contract | Grows the cutout to restore clipped edges, or shrinks it to remove a thin fringe | −64 to 64 output-image pixels, default 0 |
| Feather | Softens the cutout boundary | 0 to 64 pixels radius, default 0 |
| Remove color fringe | Reduces background color bleeding into soft edges; may change edge colors | Off by default |
Silhouette returns a cutout at the original image dimensions and re-estimates any transparency already in the input. Other models have their own settings. Transparent Background, for example, has Format, Reverse (remove the foreground instead), Threshold, and Background Type.
Where does the cutout go?
Section titled “Where does the cutout go?”Selecting Remove background adds a model node to the current Level of your graph and runs it. The cutout is kept as a take on that node and shown in Results. Connect the node’s output to a compositor to place the subject on a new background, or export it. Keep a format with transparency, such as PNG, when you export.
Common problems
Section titled “Common problems”| Problem | What to do |
|---|---|
| Hair or fur is cut off | Set Method to Hair & soft edges, or use Expand / contract with a positive value. |
| A thin line of old background around the edge | Use a small negative Expand / contract, or turn on Remove color fringe. |
| The edge looks too sharp | Add a little Feather. |
| Transparent or glass subjects lose detail | Difficult backgrounds and transparent subjects may still need manual cleanup, for example with masks in the graph. |
Frequently asked questions
Section titled “Frequently asked questions”Does Remove Background keep the original image size?
Section titled “Does Remove Background keep the original image size?”With Silhouette, yes: the cutout matches the original image dimensions. Other models may differ.
Can Remove Background work on video?
Section titled “Can Remove Background work on video?”No. Remove Background accepts still images only.
What format is the cutout?
Section titled “What format is the cutout?”The cutout has a transparent background. Keep it in a format that supports transparency, such as PNG, when you export.
Can I fine-tune the edge after the cut?
Section titled “Can I fine-tune the edge after the cut?”Yes. Change Expand / contract, Feather, or Remove color fringe and run again, or refine the matte with masks and keying nodes.
Related
Section titled “Related”- Compositing — place the cutout on a new background
- Masks and keying — refine edges and mattes
- Image Editor — replace a background by instruction
- Recipe: product shot — a worked example
- Export — save the cutout