How do I set white to transparent

[sisom]

Hi, I have several images of objects on a white background, which I want to paste onto a coloured banner. I know I can save them as GIFs or PNGs and set white to transparent that way, but is there a way of just opening the original image, and then making PI X3 somehow select everything in the object which isn't white, and letting me copy and paste it into my coloured banner?

I've tried using the lasso tool and the magic wand, but they are too time consuming (I have about 20 images to cut out).

[Ron P.]

My understanding of what you want to do, is select all these objects, and have them separate objects, correct? You can use the magic-wand tool, select the white background, then go to Selection>Invert. Now all your non-white objects will be selected. Next go to Selection>Convert to Object. You should be able to hide the white background layer, by clicking on the eye icon in the Layers Palette.

If you want to have all your colored objects as separate objects you can accomplish it this way.

1. First select the Layer that has those objects.
2. Now go to Selection>Select by Color Range.
3. Use the Dual View tab, and in the Left pane, use the eyedropper to select one of your objects, it should turn white in the right pane, which just shows that the object has been selected. Click OK, which will return you to the editor.
4. Now go to Selection>Convert to Object. You will notice your object is now on its own layer.
5. Repeat above Steps 2-4, for the remaining objects.

This process is going to be time consuming, especially if your objects are different colors.

[sisom]

Thanks for your detailed reply, Ron, and sorry for my very late reply. I will give it a go.