Magic Eraser Tool Left a Fringe

Q: I used the Magic Eraser tool to erase the background around my logo for the web. When I uploaded the .gif image to the web page there was a white scribbly mess around the picture. It is transparent, but very messy. How do I fix this? Thanks


A: The Magic Eraser tool changes the color you click on, from that color to transparent.

It's a fast way to get rid of a background color from an image.

After using the Magic Eraser tool you might have a halo around your image which is left over from the old background color. Sometimes you can prevent this by setting the Tolerance higher in the Options bar before clicking with it. But if you have a fringe of color around your image there is a quick way to fix it.

Since GIF files don't have a normal Layer in the Layers palette (they have an index layer instead) we need to convert it to RGB mode.

Go up to the Image menu and choose Mode>RGB Color. Your Layer name will change to Layer 1 in the Layers panel. Now follow these steps:

1. Go up to the Enhance menu and choose Adjust Color>Defringe Layer….

2. A Dialog Box will open. Type 1 or 2 into the Width field. Click OK.

3. To check out the results click on the half white/half gray circle icon in the Layers palette and choose Solid Color … from the top of the list that pops up. A Dialog box will open where you can choose a color by using the slider on the vertical color spectrum. Pick a color that contrasts your photo and click OK.

   A new Color Fill layer will appear in the Layers palette. Drag that new Layer below the other Layer in the Layers palette.

   If you still have fringe color, delete the new layer and go back to Step 1. This time enter a larger number in Step 2.

4. Once your happy with the results, delete the new layer that you filled with color.

   Go up to the File menu and choose Save As…. Select CompuServe GIF from the Format field and click OK.

Good Luck!
Rick