# Image → cutout

Keep the subject, remove its surroundings, and preserve your original image.

Source: https://www.creativly.ai/docs/flow/remove-background

![Blue ceramic cup on a stone windowsill overlooking the sea, before background removal.](https://pub-60e30bed45514f03933d3900731bea31.r2.dev/public-app-sessions/v1/documentation/flow-brief-result-preview-a7631618d3be4b32.webp)

Original · the full scene

![The same blue cup isolated on transparency, in its original position and framing. The stone, window and sea are removed.](https://pub-60e30bed45514f03933d3900731bea31.r2.dev/public-app-sessions/v1/documentation/flow-cutout-preview-38d142c981282f91.webp)

Cutout · transparent PNG

Use a cutout for a product layout or a new composition. This example starts with the completed [brief → image workflow](https://www.creativly.ai/docs/flow/brief-to-image) and adds one connected step.

## Add the next step

Select the source image. In **Actions**, choose **Remove Background**. Flow adds a new image node and connects the source to it; it does not replace the original or run immediately.

![Image Actions panel with Remove Background alongside Edit Image, To Video, Describe Image, Batch, Import Image, Erase and Expand.](https://pub-60e30bed45514f03933d3900731bea31.r2.dev/public-app-sessions/v1/documentation/flow-image-actions-9fc5b470e58b3814.webp)

Actions applies to the selected image. Start with Remove Background, then check the new node's model.

## Choose the utility model

Open the **new node's model picker** → **Utilities** → **Remove Background**. Check the model name before running: the shortcut can initially choose **Image Upscaler** instead.

![Actual Utilities model picker with Remove Background checked, a one-credit label and Run with Credits below.](https://pub-60e30bed45514f03933d3900731bea31.r2.dev/public-app-sessions/v1/documentation/flow-remove-background-model-a7dd89f703639e6d.webp)

Remove Background checked, with Credits selected. This example showed a one-credit estimate.

Use a [compatible plan or connected provider](https://www.creativly.ai/docs/models-and-credits) for this model. Check the source chip, then click **Run** on the new node. No written prompt was needed for this example. **Run till here** would also include upstream steps, so leave that for when you want to regenerate them.

## Review and keep the transparency

The result above is a real **1376 × 768 PNG**. The checkerboard shows transparency; it is not part of the image. The original remains a separate node, and both reopen after a reload.

Inspect the outline and fine details. Here, the faint steam disappeared with the background. Keep the original if those details matter.

[Download the transparent PNG](https://pub-60e30bed45514f03933d3900731bea31.r2.dev/public-app-sessions/v1/documentation/flow-cutout-original-2c10892810c49de3.png) · [Download the source image](https://pub-60e30bed45514f03933d3900731bea31.r2.dev/public-app-sessions/v1/documentation/flow-brief-result-original-40dd2f740b64df6c.png)

Keep the PNG format to retain transparency. To replace the scene with a different background instead, use a [reference-based image edit](https://www.creativly.ai/docs/flow/prompt-bar).

Open in Creativly: [Flow ↗](https://www.creativly.ai/app/flow)