Elena Rossi
Paint Tool SAI is a popular instrument for artists, but some users struggle with keeping the background transparent when saving their work. This is achievable in SAI, but it requires specific steps. Firstly, ensure your file has layers rather than a flat image. Then, hide any background layers and select transparent from the Canvas menu. Your image should now show grey checkerboxes, indicating that your background is transparent. Finally, export and save your image as a .PNG file, as SAI automatically handles transparency in this format.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Versions with transparency feature | Paint Tool SAI 2 |
| File type | png |
| Image editing software | GIMP |
| Image file format | psd |
| Image editing steps | Hide background layers, click on Canvas, hover over Background, select Transparent (Bright checker) |
| Image editing checks | Zoom in to see grey checkerboxes, indicating transparency |
| Image saving steps | Click File, then Export As, remove .psd and type in .png, tick Save gamma and Save color values from transparent pixels |
| Additional tools | Magic wand, paint bucket |
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What You'll Learn
Ensure you have a file with layers, not a flat image
When working with Paint Tool SAI, it is important to ensure that you are working with a file that has layers rather than a flat image. This is because a layered file allows for more flexibility and control when editing and saving your work.
If you are starting a new project, you can create a new file with layers by going to File > New and selecting the option for a layered file. This will give you a blank canvas with multiple layers that you can work with.
If you are working with an existing file that does not have layers, you can convert it to a layered file by going to Layer > Convert to Layered. This will add a new layer to your file, which you can then use to add or edit your content.
Working with layers allows you to make changes to specific parts of your image without affecting the rest of the artwork. This is especially useful when trying to create a transparent background, as you can easily select and edit the background layer without affecting the other layers in your file.
Additionally, having a file with layers gives you the option to hide or show certain layers as needed. This can be helpful when trying to view or edit specific parts of your image. It also allows for non-destructive editing, meaning you can always go back and make changes to individual layers without affecting the overall image.
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Use GIMP to edit the image and export as a PNG
To save a transparent background in Paint Tool SAI, you must first hide any background layers. Then, click on "Canvas", hover over "Background", and select "Transparent (Bright checker)". Your drawing should now show with grey checkerboxes, indicating that the background is transparent. Finally, export and save your file as a PNG.
If you are using an older version of Paint Tool SAI, you may not have the option to select a transparent background. In this case, you can use GIMP, a free and open-source image manipulation program available for Windows and Mac, to edit your image and save it with a transparent background.
- Download and install GIMP on your computer.
- Open GIMP and import your image file. If you have a PSD file with layers, you can open it directly in GIMP.
- Use the selection tools in GIMP to select the portion of the image you want to keep. You can use the "Image > Zealous Crop" or "Layer > Crop to Content" tools to select the desired area.
- Invert your selection using Ctrl+I if you need to select the head or a specific object in the image.
- Go to "File > Export As" or use the shortcut Ctrl+Shift+E to export your selected portion as a PNG file.
- Remove the default .psd file format and type in .png instead. Alternatively, click on "Select File Type" and choose .png from the list.
- Make sure the options for "Save gamma" and "Save color values from transparent pixels" are ticked, along with any other required defaults.
- Finally, export your image. Your image should now have a transparent background in the saved PNG file.
By following these steps, you can successfully use GIMP to edit your image, export it as a PNG file, and retain transparency in the background.
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In SAI 2, hide background layers and select Transparent (Bright checker)
To save a transparent background in Paint Tool SAI 2, you must first hide any background layers. Then, click on "Canvas", hover over "Background", and select "Transparent (Bright checker)". Your drawing should now show grey checkerboxes, indicating that it is transparent.
It is important to note that you must save your file as a .PNG file for SAI 2 to handle any transparency automatically. If you save your file in a different format, the transparency may not be preserved.
Additionally, when exporting your image, ensure that the "Save gamma" and "Save color values from transparent pixels" options are ticked. This will ensure that your image maintains its transparency outside of the program.
It is worth mentioning that some older versions of Paint Tool SAI may not have the same options for transparency. In such cases, you may need to use alternative methods or update your software to access these features.
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Save as a .PNG file
To save a transparent background in Paint Tool SAI, you must save your file with a .PNG extension. This is because the +.PNG file format supports transparency, whereas other file formats like .JPG do not.
- Hide any background layers by clicking on "Canvas", hovering over "Background", and selecting "Transparent (Bright checker)".
- Your drawing should now show some grey checkerboxes, indicating that your background is transparent.
- Go to "File" and then "Export As" to open the export dialog.
- Ensure that your file name ends with a +.PNG extension. You can do this by removing the .PSD or other file extension and replacing it with .PNG. Alternatively, you can click on the "Select File Type" button and choose .PNG from the list of file types.
- Make sure that options such as "Save gamma" and "Save color values from transparent pixels" are ticked.
- Finally, export and save your image.
Your Paint Tool SAI project should now be saved as a .PNG file with a transparent background. You can verify this by opening your image in a folder and observing that the background is transparent.
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Use the Magic Wand or Bucket Tool to manually select and delete the background
To save a transparent background in Paint Tool SAI, you can use the Magic Wand or Bucket Tool to manually select and delete the background.
The Magic Wand Tool is a versatile selection tool with three detection modes: Transparency (Strict), Transparency (Fuzzy), and Color Difference. The latter is the most useful, as it allows you to select things depending on their colour. The "Color Diff." bar lets you adjust how strict the selection is, which is helpful when you want to select a specific coloured area or all areas of that colour. Once you've made your selection, you can then delete the background.
The Magic Wand Tool also has an Invert function, which is useful when coupled with the "Increment" tool. By selecting the outside of your lineart and clicking "Increment" a couple of times, you can prevent the colour from bleeding into the lineart when you invert the selection.
The Bucket Tool can also be used to fill in sections of your colouring. If you're using Ver 2 of Paint Tool SAI, you can use the Magic Wand Tool to select outside your lineart, then invert the selection and bucket fill the piece with a single basic colour.
To manually select and delete the background, you can also paint over the background on a separate layer, then select the painted areas and delete them.
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Frequently asked questions
Hide any background layers, click on Canvas, hover over Background, and select Transparent (Bright checker). Export and save your file as a +.PNG.
If your image has a transparent background, you will see grey checkerboxes.
You should save your file as a +.PNG to preserve transparency.
No, you cannot save a transparent background as a .JPG. You will need to export your file as a Photoshop file, open it in GIMP, and then export it as a .PNG.
You can use GIMP, which is free and compatible with Windows and Mac.
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