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How to make your own characters from photographs


Step 1: Prepare Your Photograph

Before you begin:

  • Ensure the photograph is saved in My Files or has been shared with you by a teacher.

  • Pro Tip: Use photos with a simple background—like standing in front of an Interactive Whiteboard—for easier background removal. Full-length shots work best if your learners want to appear as characters in their own stories.


Step 2: Set Up Your Canvas

  • Open JIT Paint and select a transparent background from the templates.



Step 3: Add the Photograph

  • Click on the current image library name to switch sources.

  • Choose My Files (or Shared Files if the photo has been shared with you).

  • Select your photograph.

You can resize the photo using the + and – buttons.

Pro Tip: Enlarging the image before editing makes it easier to erase the background accurately—especially helpful for younger learners or when using touch devices.

Once resized, place the photograph in the centre of the canvas.




Step 4: Remove the Background

  • Select the Eraser tool, then choose the Fill Eraser (paint bucket icon).

  • Click on background areas to remove them. You may need to click more than once if the background has multiple shades.

Alternatively:

  • Use the freehand erase brush to manually remove background sections—ideal on tablets or when zooming in closely.

Step 5: Save as a Transparent Image

  • Click the "Save as Image" button (top right).

  • This saves the character as a PNG file, preserving the transparent background.

  • Your image will be stored in My Files and is now ready to be used in other Just2easy tools.


Engaging Learners

Now your learners can use themselves (or their friends!) as characters in their writing or creative projects. It’s a fun and personalised way to boost engagement—especially in story illustration tasks.