In Preview: what is instant alpha?

Question

dadoclare Author

Level 1

16 points

In Preview: what is instant alpha?

Preview/Help doesn't show it. Neither does general Help.

It is referenced in Preview/Help: "extract an image from a simple background," which states:

1. Click Show Edit Toolbar, then click Instant Alpha.'

Show Edit Toolbar duly appears, offering only:

Text selection Rectangular selection Rectangle Oval Line Text tools Note Signature

I cannot find anything "below" them.

Is this something Mavericks related? If so, it seems odd that Safari [Version 9.1.3 (9537.86.7.8)] would reference it since Safari "knows" I'm running Mavericks.

Thanks for any help.

iMac (21.5-inch, Late 2012), OS X Mavericks (10.9.5), Safari 9.1.3 (9537.86.7.8); Preview

Posted on Mar 22, 2017 9:12 AM

Reply

Answer 1

JovonaP.

Community Specialist

Mar 23, 2017 6:18 AM in response to dadoclare

Hello dadoclare,

Thank you for using Apple Support Communities. It's my understanding you'd like some clarification on the Instant Alpha option in Preview. I have some information that can definitely help.

Instant Alpha is an editing option which allows you remove the background or other objects from some images. Please review the additional information below:

For some image types, such as PNG, you can use the Instant Alpha tool to select and remove a background or other object from an image. Select the Instant Alpha tool, then click the area you want to remove. As you click, drag your pointer to select more or less of the image to remove. The area you select highlights in red to let you know what is selected. Press the Delete key to make this part of the image transparent.

Use the Preview app to view and edit images and PDFs

Have a fantastic day!

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Answer 2

Oct 6, 2017 6:39 AM in response to dadoclare

Hi dadoclare, The tool still exists, buts its no loger in the Edit sublist, instead, u need to go to View->Show Markup Tollbar (shift command A) then the second tool: Instant Alpha is what you need. note: this tool only exist when editing image, it doesn't show when the file opened is a pdf or other format

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Answer 3

Eric Root

Level 10

684,531 points

Apr 15, 2017 5:53 PM in response to clarafication

No. Go Preview/View/Show Markup Toolbar. See below.

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Answer 4

Apr 15, 2017 2:32 PM in response to JovonaP.

Did they take the insta alpha option away in Sierra?

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