Paint Shop Pro Help?

[Oracle]

Hey, I'm a huge noob when it comes to using programs better than paint to edit images, so I'm a little confused.
How would I edit an image to take the background colors out?
For example, if I wanted to take the pichu out of my avatar (w/o the temple background)

 

[IDK]

just on a simple note. for future reference you can refer to it as rendering. if its a simple render with just a plain 1-color bg you can (in GIMP) go to layer>transparency>add alpha channel. click fuzzy select tool, change the threshold accordingly, and once the unwanted area is selected, press ctrl+x. isnt there a guide to rendering somewhere? anyone else help?

 

[Black Waltz]

the best and most accurate way is to use the pen tool to outline your render. it takes a LONG time, but you get the best results.

 

[Oracle]

I know I can use the pen, but not only do I not have that kind of time, but I could do that in paint.
What about confusing, multicolor backgrounds? Is there a way to open a "pallete" of some sort, and just delete all of the colors in the background?

 

[MojoMan]

Nope. You have to use the pen tool or erase very closely.

 

[IDK]

download GIMP. a lot better than paint.

 

[plural]

only advice is to trash that junk and get gimp or photoshop.

 

[Oracle]

I'm just used to sprite editing on paint