Separate Foreground and Background Into Reusable Layers
Split a flat image into an independent foreground and reconstructed background. Keep both sides of the composition available for repositioning, text-behind-subject effects, compositing, and simple depth workflows.
One upload returns the foreground, the background, and a subject mask for precise editing.
Upload an image
Separate one image into a transparent foreground, reconstructed background, and reusable subject mask.
Separate Foreground and Background
Keep the subject and create a reusable background behind it.
Drag and drop your image here or browse files
The covered background area is reconstructed with AI using the visible scene as context.
Processing time varies with image complexity. Large subjects and detailed backgrounds may require more reconstruction.
Foreground and background, side by side
Separate One Image Into Foreground and Background
One flat photo becomes an independent foreground layer and a reconstructed background layer you can edit and position on their own.
Foreground as its own layer
The subject becomes a transparent layer that can be moved and edited without affecting the scene.
Background as its own layer
The reconstructed scene continues through the area the subject used to cover.
Mask for precise layer control
The subject mask keeps foreground selections exact when you recombine the layers.
Why two layers?
Why Keep Foreground and Background Separate?
A single flattened image locks the subject and the scene together. Keeping them as separate layers means every later edit stays reversible.
Edit each layer on its own
Adjust the subject without touching the background, and rework the background without re-cutting the subject.
Recombine in any order
Stack the foreground and background with other elements between them whenever the layout changes.
Reuse the layers elsewhere
Carry the foreground and background into new compositions instead of starting from the original photo again.
Keep depth information
Two layers is the minimum needed for text-behind-subject effects and simple parallax.
Foreground / background / mask
Foreground, Background, and Mask Explained
Foreground
The subject isolated on transparency, ready to sit on top of any background layer.
Background
The scene rebuilt without the subject, usable as a standalone background layer.
Subject mask
A grayscale mask that defines exactly where the foreground ends, for precise compositing and selections.
Text behind subject
Put Content Between Foreground and Background
With the layers separated, you can place headlines, titles, logos, or graphics between the background and the foreground so text appears to sit behind the subject.
Layer order
Reposition the subject
Move the Foreground Without Losing the Scene
Reposition, resize, or replace the foreground layer while the reconstructed background stays intact — no subject-shaped hole left behind, and no need to rebuild the scene.
Useful for adjusting a composition, fitting a new aspect ratio, or swapping the subject into a different layout.
Compositing and depth
Foreground Background Separation for Compositing
Two-layer compositing
Blend the foreground and background separately, add shadows or grading to each, then flatten when finished.
Simple parallax
Animate the foreground and background at different speeds for a basic depth-of-motion effect.
Format adaptation
Rebuild wide, tall, or square layouts from the same two layers without re-shooting.
About hidden areas
How Reconstruction Works
If part of the scene was covered by the subject, the original photo does not contain those hidden pixels. The tool generates a plausible continuation from the visible surroundings so the background layer works as a complete image. It does not recover the exact real-world content that was hidden.
Review reconstructed detail before using the background layer in accuracy-sensitive or final commercial work.
Foreground Background Separation vs Multi-Layer Decomposition
Two layers or many?
Foreground Background Separator
Splits the image into exactly two layers: foreground and background.
Best for
- Text behind a subject
- Repositioning one subject
- Two-layer compositing
- Simple parallax
Image to Layers
Decomposes the image into several independent objects, elements, and depth layers.
Best for
- Multiple objects or props
- Graphic design decomposition
- Complex scene editing
- PSD and layered workflows
Want the general tool?
Looking for a General AI Background Separation Tool?
This page covers the foreground-and-background layer workflow. For an overview of what a background separator is and how it differs from a background remover, use the Background Separator page.
Explore Background SeparatorFrequently Asked Questions About Foreground and Background Separation
How do I separate foreground and background in an image?
Upload one image, choose Standard or HD output, and run the separator. You get a transparent foreground layer, a reconstructed background layer, and a subject mask.
What is foreground-background separation?
It is the process of splitting a flat image into two independent layers — the foreground subject and the background scene — so each can be edited and positioned on its own.
Can I move the foreground independently?
Yes. The foreground is a separate transparent layer and can be repositioned, resized, or replaced without changing the reconstructed background.
Can I place text between foreground and background?
Yes. Put the background layer on the bottom, your text or graphic in the middle, and the transparent foreground on top so text appears behind the subject.
Can I use the outputs for compositing?
Yes. The foreground, background, and mask can be imported as layers into Photoshop, After Effects, Figma, or other editing tools.
Can I create parallax with two layers?
You can create a simple parallax effect by animating the foreground and background layers at different speeds. Rich multi-plane parallax needs more layers.
What is the subject mask for?
The grayscale mask defines exactly where the foreground ends, so selections and edges stay precise when you recombine the layers.
Foreground/background separation or multi-layer decomposition?
Use foreground/background separation when two layers are enough. Use Image to Layers when you need several objects or visual elements as independent layers.
Separate the Foreground and Background
Turn one flat image into an independent foreground layer and a reconstructed background layer.
Separate Foreground and BackgroundStandard 30 credits · HD 50 credits
Related Workflows
The general tool
Background Separator
What a background separator is and how it differs from a background remover.
Explore Background SeparatorOnly want the subject?
Background Remover
Create a transparent cutout without keeping the scene.
Remove BackgroundNeed more than two layers?
Image to Layers
Separate products, objects, backgrounds, graphics, and other visual elements independently.
Separate Into Layers