Quick Guide: How to Remove or Replace a Background in PhotoDirector

Five steps to cut out your subject and change what sits behind it.

Updated Oct. 16, 2026 · 1 min read

Steps

1Import your photo

Click Import Photo, or drag your photo onto the window. The background comes off on its own, and the checkerboard means it's transparent. To fine-tune the edge, use Edit Cutout.

The Background Remove / Replace import window with the Import Photo button highlighted

2For a blurred background, set the blur

Click Blur and drag the Blur Background slider to set how strong the blur is. Check Feather effect for object's edge to soften the line around your subject.

The Blur Background slider and the Feather effect checkbox highlighted, the street behind the subject out of focus

3For a flat background, pick a color

Solid Color opens a palette, with + at the top left for a color of your own.

The Solid Color palette with a pale pink selected and the subject on a pink background

4For a photo background, import it

Click Import Photo, then Import Background to bring in your own file. Or pick a background from the rows below, and size the subject with the handles.

The Import Photo option with the Import Background button and background library highlighted, the subject on a cream wall

5Save your photo

Click Save as at the bottom of the panel.

The Background Remove / Replace panel with the Save as button highlighted at the bottom

We tested these steps in PhotoDirector 365 version 18.0.8 on Windows.

Want more detail on each step?Read the full tutorial →

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