How to Change an Image Background in MS Paint (Green Screen Technique)

Microsoft Paint, often affectionately called MS Paint, is a humble yet powerful image editing tool that comes standard with Windows. While it might not boast the advanced features of Photoshop or GIMP, MS Paint can perform a surprising number of tasks, including a basic form of background replacement using a green screen technique. This guide will walk you through the process of how to change an image background in MS Paint using a green screen effect, suitable for users who may not have access to more sophisticated software or are just looking for a simple, quick solution. This method is perfect for creating fun images, basic memes, or just experimenting with image manipulation. It’s important to note that this method is not as refined as dedicated photo editing software and requires the background to be a solid, bright green color. Despite the limitations, it’s a great way to achieve a change background effect with a tool you already have!

Understanding the Green Screen (Chroma Key) Technique

The green screen technique, also known as chroma key, relies on isolating a specific color in an image or video and replacing it with another background. The chosen color is typically bright green because it’s unlikely to be present in human skin tones and clothing. This makes it easier to remove the green background without affecting the subject of the image or video. In this case we are using a bright green screen as a background to isolate the subject from its current background. MS paint does not have a sophisticated chroma key tool but we can use its select tool and a little patience to achieve a similar effect.

What You’ll Need

• Your Subject Image: This is the picture of the object or person you want to extract. The object must be shot in front of a bright green background.
• Your New Background Image: This is the image that will replace the green screen.
• A Computer Running Windows: This is where the MS Paint program will be used.
• Basic Mouse Skills: You will need a steady hand for tracing and selecting areas in MS Paint.

Step-by-Step Guide: Changing Your Image Background in MS Paint

Here’s how to change the background of an image using MS Paint and a green screen:

Step 1: Preparing Your Images

Before you begin, make sure you have both the subject image with the green background and the background image ready. It’s helpful to have both images in the same folder for easy access. Ensure that your subject image with the green screen background is well-lit and the green is as uniform as possible. Any shadows or inconsistencies in the green background can make the next steps more challenging.

Step 2: Opening Your Subject Image in MS Paint

First, locate the subject image (the one with the green background) in your file explorer. Right-click on the image and select “Open with” from the context menu, then choose “Paint”. If you don’t see Paint in the list, click “Choose another app” and select Paint from the list of programs. This will open your image in MS Paint.

Step 3: Understanding MS Paint’s Tools

Before you start editing, familiarize yourself with the following MS Paint tools that we will be using:

• Select Tool: Located in the “Image” section of the “Home” tab, this tool has a few options for selection. We’ll primarily use the free-form selection tool or rectangular selection tool. The free-form selection tool lets you draw around the object and makes it easier to remove a non uniform background, whereas the rectangular selection tool will only select shapes.
• Eraser Tool: Also located on the “Home” tab, this tool is used to erase parts of the image, mainly for cleaning any leftover green background.
• Fill With Color Tool: This is useful for quickly filling in areas with the selected color (the new background color).

Step 4: Selecting the Subject Using the Free-Form Select Tool

Now comes the tricky part – selecting your subject. Click on the “Select” button in the “Image” section of the Home tab. From the drop down menu, choose “Free-form selection”. Use your mouse to carefully trace around the subject of your image. It’s like drawing a continuous line around it. Try to be as accurate as possible. Don’t worry if your selection is not perfect on the first try, you can always erase any leftover parts of the background later. Once you’ve drawn all the way around your subject, and connected back to your starting point you will notice a dotted line appearing around the selected area, this shows that it is successfully selected.

Tips for the Free-Form Select Tool:

• Use zoom: if your subject is small and difficult to outline, you can use the magnifying glass on the ribbon of the home tab to zoom in.
• Slow and steady: Take your time to trace around the subject carefully to get a neat and accurate selection.
• Small overlaps: If you accidentally select a small area of the background, don’t worry, you can fix it later. It’s better to overlap slightly into the subject than to leave behind green pixels.
• Practice makes perfect: The free-form selection can be tricky at first, so don’t get frustrated if your first attempt is not perfect.

Step 5: Copying the Selected Subject

After selecting your subject, copy it. You can do this by right-clicking inside the selected area and choosing “Copy” from the context menu or by using the keyboard shortcut “Ctrl + C”. Your subject is now copied to your clipboard.

Step 6: Opening Your New Background Image

Now it’s time to open your new background image. Repeat the steps in step two by locating the background image in your file explorer. Right-click on the background image and select “Open with” from the context menu, then choose “Paint”. This will open your new background in MS Paint.

Step 7: Pasting Your Subject Onto the New Background

In the Paint window displaying the background image, paste the subject image you copied earlier. You can do this by right-clicking anywhere on the canvas and selecting “Paste” or using the keyboard shortcut “Ctrl + V”. The subject image will appear pasted onto your background. Initially, you may see a white box around your subject. This is normal, it needs to be transparent. We will do this in the next steps.

Step 8: Making the Subject Background Transparent (Optional but recommended)

To make the background of your pasted subject transparent, go to the “Select” button on the “Home” tab again. Click the drop-down menu and select “Transparent selection”. You will now see the green background disappear. If your background is not fully transparent, then you may have some pixels of green in your copied subject, we will clear this using the eraser tool in the next step.

Step 9: Adjusting the Size and Placement of the Subject

After making the background of your subject transparent, you might need to adjust its size and position on the new background. Click on the subject to select it and then drag the small white squares on the edges of the selection to resize it. Click on the centre of the subject and drag it around the canvas to place it where you would like it to be on your new background. Take your time to make sure that the subject is positioned appropriately within the background.

Step 10: Using the Eraser Tool to Clean Up Edges (Optional)

If your subject has some of the green background still visible around its edges, you can use the eraser tool to clean it up. Zoom in closely to areas that need refinement using the magnifying glass. Select the eraser tool from the tools section on the Home tab and adjust the size of the eraser with the size tool (if needed), then gently erase any leftover green pixels. You can also use the eraser to refine the edges of the subject for a cleaner look. This step may take some time and patience. Try to zoom in to see the pixels better.

Step 11: Saving Your Final Image

Once you are satisfied with your image, save it. Click the “File” menu (the blue button at the top left corner) and select “Save As”. Choose your desired file format (JPEG is a good choice for sharing online) and rename your file, then click “Save”. Make sure that your desired format supports transparency, most formats do not so do not save in these formats if you are trying to achieve a transparent background. Formats such as PNG or GIF may be more suitable when trying to preserve transparency. Now you have a new image with the subject cut out and placed onto a new background.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Changing backgrounds in MS Paint can sometimes be tricky. Here are some common issues and solutions:

• Jagged edges around the subject: This is often due to not tracing closely enough around your subject with the free-form select tool. Make sure to zoom in when selecting the area around the subject. You can also use the eraser tool to manually smooth out the edges.
• Green pixels are still visible: This can be caused by selecting a non uniform background, if your green screen has shadows or different hues this makes it difficult for MS paint to distinguish the background. Use the eraser to gently remove these leftover green pixels.
• Subject looks pixelated after resizing: Avoid resizing your image too much as this will affect the quality. If you need to make the subject larger, you may need to find a higher-resolution source image.
• Background transparency not working: Ensure that you are selecting the “transparent selection” from the select tool. Also make sure you are using a file type that supports transparency such as PNG.

Tips for Better Results

Here are a few tips to improve the overall look of your final image:

• Use a High-Quality Source Image: A higher resolution image will result in a cleaner and less pixelated final image.
• Uniform green screen background: Use a solid, bright green background. Wrinkles, shadows and different shades of green make it difficult to select.
• Be Patient: The process can be time-consuming, especially when cleaning up the edges. Take your time and zoom in when you need to be precise.
• Experiment: Play around with different background images and subject sizes to get the look you want.
• Use a Drawing Tablet: Using a drawing tablet instead of a mouse can give you more control with the free-form selection.

Conclusion

While MS Paint is not a professional image editing tool, it can be used for basic background replacement using the green screen technique. By understanding the free-form select tool, using the erase tool and taking your time, you can create fun and creative images without needing access to more expensive software. Remember that this method will only work if the subject is photographed or created in front of a solid, bright green background. Now you are equipped to start creating your own background replacements using MS Paint! This guide provides a simplified approach using tools that are available on all Windows computers, making it easy to follow for users of all skill levels. With patience and a steady hand, anyone can use MS Paint to change backgrounds and create a more personalized image. Happy editing!