Can anyone tell me how to set an image (.gif) transparent background in Windows 8 Paint (ver. 6.2)?  Been scratching head for a couple of hours now but can't for the life of me see how to set a transparent colour.  I'm sure that the XP version of pint allowed this.

Thanks,

I don't believe you can do this with any version of the Paint program that ships with the OS.  I normally do it using Paint.Net which is free and runs fine on Windows 8.  In Paint.Net you don't set the background to transparent, you delete any color and the background that is left is transparent.  You can download Paint.net from here:

http://www.getpaint.net/download.html

There is a way! it is now hidden in a ribbon command.

Under the Image section of the ribbon, click the "Select" drop-down menu. The bottom command is called "Transparent Selection" and it can be toggled on or off.

Just like the older version of of paint, the Color #2 is the transparent color (so you could remove a white or black background, just make Color #2 white or black, respectively)

FYI, the other command I had a hard time finding was to make the canvas bigger/smaller (but not shrink/stretch the image). It used to be called "Image attributes" but now you go File>Properties, and you can adjust the size there.

• Proposed as answer by .dt Monday, February 10, 2014 5:21 PM

There is a way! it is now hidden in a ribbon command.

Under the Image section of the ribbon, click the "Select" drop-down menu. The bottom command is called "Transparent Selection" and it can be toggled on or off.

Just like the older version of of paint, the Color #2 is the transparent color (so you could remove a white or black background, just make Color #2 white or black, respectively)

FYI, the other command I had a hard time finding was to make the canvas bigger/smaller (but not shrink/stretch the image). It used to be called "Image attributes" but now you go File>Properties, and you can adjust the size there.

• Proposed as answer by .dt Monday, February 10, 2014 5:21 PM

There is a way! it is now hidden in a ribbon command.

Under the Image section of the ribbon, click the "Select" drop-down menu. The bottom command is called "Transparent Selection" and it can be toggled on or off.

Just like the older version of of paint, the Color #2 is the transparent color (so you could remove a white or black background, just make Color #2 white or black, respectively)

FYI, the other command I had a hard time finding was to make the canvas bigger/smaller (but not shrink/stretch the image). It used to be called "Image attributes" but now you go File>Properties, and you can adjust the size there.

• Proposed as answer by .dt Monday, February 10, 2014 5:21 PM

Brill - correct answer! I was looking Transparent selection too

When I try to save it, it tells me all transparency will be lost.  How do I get around that?

• Proposed as answer by nofix-nofee Friday, December 05, 2014 10:20 AM

When I try to save it, it tells me all transparency will be lost.  How do I get around that?

• Proposed as answer by nofix-nofee Friday, December 05, 2014 10:20 AM

When I try to save it, it tells me all transparency will be lost.  How do I get around that?

• Proposed as answer by nofix-nofee Friday, December 05, 2014 10:20 AM

What if you can't download it due to computer permissions, it won't download and install into a folder of my choice.

This doesn't apply to this question, as this function does not remove the white background.

Save in .png or .tif  to keep transparency

• Edited by nofix-nofee Friday, December 05, 2014 10:22 AM

Save in .png or .tif  to keep transparency

• Edited by nofix-nofee Friday, December 05, 2014 10:22 AM

Save in .png or .tif  to keep transparency

• Edited by nofix-nofee Friday, December 05, 2014 10:22 AM

Good answer! I have used MS Paint for years to compose landscape scenes for my paintings. When I photograph a scene, I take two shots - one of the sky and one of the ground. I then cut whatever sky remains in the ground shot (using the magic wand in another program) and do a paste transparent onto the sky scene. Its better than layers because its very simple and after pasting I can move the ground scene around to improve the composition. I regret moving to Windows 8. It was just a money grabbing stunt by Microsoft.

Yes.  If you have Windows 3.1, this functionality is included. It is possible to run this application from Windows XP with Windows 3.1 running side-by-side under a duel boot legal environment. I have not tried it with Windows 8. But this capability has been shipped with the Windows OS in the past.

• Edited by TamusJRoyce Wednesday, January 14, 2015 6:03 PM

Yes.  If you have Windows 3.1, this functionality is included. It is possible to run this application from Windows XP with Windows 3.1 running side-by-side under a duel boot legal environment. I have not tried it with Windows 8. But this capability has been shipped with the Windows OS in the past.

• Edited by TamusJRoyce Wednesday, January 14, 2015 6:03 PM

Yes.  If you have Windows 3.1, this functionality is included. It is possible to run this application from Windows XP with Windows 3.1 running side-by-side under a duel boot legal environment. I have not tried it with Windows 8. But this capability has been shipped with the Windows OS in the past.

• Edited by TamusJRoyce Wednesday, January 14, 2015 6:03 PM

If you are using Visual Studio (2012 onwards I believe) you can save the picture in Paint and then add to VS and double click the file to open the painter. You can then simply delete all the white squares and they will turn green which is transparent in VS.

we used to have it instantly.

Doesn't work for me in Win 7...

Would you PLEASE walk me through it ?  I have this jpeg, I have always see the Transparent deal under "Select", but I do NOT know HOW to "select" the background to make it transparent?

Please help and Thanks.

There is a way! it is now hidden in a ribbon command.

Under the Image section of the ribbon, click the "Select" drop-down menu. The bottom command is called "Transparent Selection" and it can be toggled on or off.

Just like the older version of of paint, the Color #2 is the transparent color (so you could remove a white or black background, just make Color #2 white or black, respectively)

FYI, the other command I had a hard time finding was to make the canvas bigger/smaller (but not shrink/stretch the image). It used to be called "Image attributes" but now you go File>Properties, and you can adjust the size there.

Would you PLEASE walk me through it ?  I have this jpeg, I have always see the Transparent deal under "Select", but I do NOT know HOW to "select" the background to make it transparent?

Please help and Thanks.

Thanks you!

Found a great free website that makes it easier.  Try http://www180.lunapic.com/editor/ Just upload you image choose Edit/Transparent the follow the instructions.  Save as a GIF file.  Works great.

Thank you :D