To remove a vector background in Photoshop, you first need to understand how vector artwork is handled. Generally, when you import a vector from a program like Illustrator into Photoshop using Edit > Place, the artwork will appear as a Smart Object layer. This is important because it keeps the vector information intact, allowing you to edit it non-destructively. If you want to completely remove the vector image:
Steps to Remove a Vector Background
Here’s how to remove a vector background, or rather the vector itself:
- Locate the Vector Layer: Open your Photoshop document and find the vector image's layer in the Layers panel. It will usually be labeled as a Smart Object.
- Delete the Layer: Once located, simply select the vector's Smart Object layer and delete it, pressing the delete key or right-clicking and choosing "Delete Layer". This will remove the entire vector artwork and any associated "background" it might have visually in the document.
Using the "Remove Background" Feature (Alternative)
Photoshop also has a "Remove Background" feature, but this is designed to automatically remove the background of raster images. It is not meant to be used on vectors directly, however, if a vector is rendered to pixels, this feature can work. To use it:
- Select the layer: Pick the layer that contains the rasterized vector or a raster-image with a background you want to remove.
- Navigate to Extensions: Go to Extensions → Remove Background
- Process the Removal: Photoshop then analyzes the image and isolates the main subject to remove the perceived background.
Important Considerations
- Vector as Smart Object: Remember that initially, the vector artwork remains a Smart Object until rasterized, meaning it can be scaled, transformed, and edited in its original application without losing quality. Removing the layer entirely deletes the vector, rather than the background.
- Rasterized Vector: If the vector layer is rasterized, it is converted to pixels, and the "Remove Background" feature in Extensions can be used, though results will be based on how the algorithm interprets the image's main subject.
| Action | Effect |
|---|---|
| Delete Smart Object Layer | Completely removes the vector artwork from the document |
| Remove Background Extension | Analyzes the image and isolates main subject, removing the background of rasterized artwork |
In short, to remove a vector in Photoshop that is imported as a Smart Object, you simply delete the layer containing it. If the vector is rasterized, then the remove background feature is a valid tool.
