Photoshop

Erase with the Eraser tool

The Eraser tool changes pixels to either the background color or to transparent. If you’re working in the background or in a layer with transparency locked, the pixels change to the background color; otherwise, the pixels are erased to transparency.

You can also use the eraser to return the affected area to a state selected in the History palette.

  1. Select the Eraser tool .
  2. Set the background color you want to apply if you are erasing in the background or a layer with locked transparency.
  3. Choose a mode for the eraser. Brush and Pencil set the eraser to act like those tools. Block is a hard-edged, fixed-sized square with no options for changing the opacity or flow.
  4. For Brush and Pencil modes, choose a brush, and set Opacity and Flow in the options bar.

    An opacity of 100% erases pixels completely. A lower opacity erases pixels partially. See Paint tool options.

  5. To erase to a saved state or snapshot of the image, click the left column of the state or snapshot in the History palette, and then select Erase To History in the options bar.
    (Photoshop) To temporarily use the Eraser tool in Erase to History mode, hold down Alt (Windows) or Option (Mac OS) as you drag in the image.
  6. Drag through the area you want to erase.