Changing the background of a photo or image is a common task in graphic design and image editing. While CorelDRAW offers various tools for this purpose, including the Pen tool for precise trimming, the Magic Wand Mask tool in Corel PHOTO-PAINT provides a significantly faster and more intuitive approach. This tutorial will guide you through using the Magic Wand Tool to seamlessly replace image backgrounds using CorelDRAW and PHOTO-PAINT, which comes bundled with a standard CorelDRAW installation.
Whether you’re working with photographs or other types of images, the Magic Wand Tool simplifies background manipulation, allowing for creative enhancements and professional-looking results. Let’s dive into the steps to master this powerful feature using CorelDRAW X7, although these steps are generally applicable to other versions as well. While software like Photoshop also offers similar capabilities, this guide focuses specifically on CorelDRAW’s integrated suite.
Here’s how to use the Magic Wand Tool in CorelDRAW to change your image backgrounds:
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Begin by launching CorelDRAW on your computer.
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Import the image you intend to edit. Navigate to File > Insert and select your image file.
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With your image placed on the CorelDRAW canvas, you need to convert it to a bitmap. Go to the Bitmaps menu and click “Convert to Bitmap”.
In the conversion settings, choose RGB Color (24-bit) to maintain a reasonable file size and, importantly, check the “Transparent background” option. This prepares your image for background transparency when we edit it in PHOTO-PAINT.
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To access the Magic Wand Tool, you need to open your image in Corel PHOTO-PAINT. While still under the Bitmaps menu, select “Edit Bitmap”. This action will automatically open your image within Corel PHOTO-PAINT.
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Once in PHOTO-PAINT, locate the toolbox on the left-hand side. Select the “Magic Wand Mask Tool”. It is typically represented by an icon resembling a magic wand.
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With the Magic Wand Tool selected, click on the background area of your image that you wish to remove. PHOTO-PAINT will automatically detect and select areas of similar color and tone. You will see a dashed line, often referred to as “marching ants,” outlining the selected background area.
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To remove the selected background, press Ctrl+X (Cut) or simply hit the Delete key on your keyboard. The background will disappear, leaving a transparent area. Save your changes in PHOTO-PAINT. When you return to CorelDRAW, the image you inserted will now reflect the background removal.
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Now that the background is transparent, you can easily replace it with a new one. You can fill the background with a solid color, as demonstrated here with a blue background, or insert another image to create a composite. Experiment with different backgrounds to achieve your desired effect.
Congratulations! You’ve successfully used the Magic Wand Tool in CorelDRAW to change the background of your image. This technique offers a quick and effective way to isolate subjects and modify image backgrounds for various creative projects. Practice with different images and backgrounds to further refine your skills and explore the full potential of the Magic Wand Tool in CorelDRAW.
