LassoCut for GIMP: remove image backgrounds
Plug-ins that call the remove.bg API stop on 1 December 2026. The LassoCut plug-in for GIMP 3 removes the background of the image and adds the cut-out as a new layer; your original layers are only hidden.
What happens to remove.bg plug-ins on 1 December
GIMP plug-ins that call the remove.bg API, including the community "RemoveBG-GIMP" plug-in, stop working on 1 December 2026, when that API stops accepting requests (announced in early September 2026). remove.bg's own FAQ says other plugins and integrations are discontinued that day. See the shutdown guide for every date and source.
Switch to LassoCut in 3 steps
- Download and copy the LassoCut plug-in into GIMP's plug-ins folder (the old plug-in can stay; it just stops doing anything after 1 December).
- Restart GIMP, then the first time you run it, connect once (browser sign-in or a pasted key).
- Choose Filters → LassoCut → Remove Background…, the same way you used the old plug-in.
Install
- Unzip the file. It contains a folder named
lassocut-remove-background. - Copy that folder into GIMP's plug-ins folder. Edit → Preferences → Folders → Plug-ins shows where it is; usually:
- Windows:
%APPDATA%\GIMP\3.2\plug-ins\ - macOS:
~/Library/Application Support/GIMP/3.2/plug-ins/ - Linux:
~/.config/GIMP/3.2/plug-ins/, then make the.pyfile executable
- Windows:
- Restart GIMP.
Use
- Open a photo and choose Filters → LassoCut → Remove Background…
- The first time, leave API key empty: your browser opens LassoCut, you sign in with GitHub or Google and approve, and GIMP gets its key on its own (or paste a key from your account). Choose Full resolution (1 credit) or Preview (free), and click OK.
The cut-out is a new top layer, Background removed, covering the whole canvas. The other layers are hidden, never deleted, and Ctrl+Z undoes everything in one step. Needs GIMP 3.0 or later.
Cast shadow
The plug-in has a Shadow choice: None, Cast shadow, light from the left or Cast shadow, light from the right. The shadow is drawn inside the new layer. GIMP has no marketplace preset, because the result is a layer of the image you have open; for a marketplace-ready file, use the presets in the web tool or in another plugin.
Error messages
The plug-in shows the API's own message in a dialog. What each one means and what to do:
| What you see | What it means | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| "Pass an API key (get one at https://www.lassocut.com/account/)." | No key is set and the sign-in was skipped. | Run the filter again and let it open the sign-in page, or paste a key from your account. |
API Key invalid (403 / "HTTP error 403") | The saved key was revoked or mistyped. | Run the filter again with API key left empty to reconnect, or paste a fresh key. |
Insufficient credits. Buy credits at https://www.lassocut.com/account/ (402) | You asked for full resolution with no credits, or your 50 free previews this month are used up. | Buy a pack in your account, or switch to Preview. |
| "Network error, please retry" / "not working" | The request could not reach LassoCut, or it timed out while the servers were waking up (the plug-in waits up to 3 minutes for a first image). | Run the filter again in a minute; check your internet connection if it keeps failing. |
Questions
Does the remove.bg GIMP plug-in still work after 1 December?
No. Third-party GIMP plug-ins that call the remove.bg API stop working when that API stops accepting requests on 1 December 2026 (announced in early September 2026). See the shutdown guide for sources.
Still on GIMP 2.10?
The plug-in needs GIMP 3, a free update. Meanwhile, the batch tool works in any browser.
What does it cost?
50 free previews a month (up to 10 a day), then credit packs that never expire. See pricing.
Is it the remove.bg plug-in?
No. It is written by LassoCut (MIT licence) and calls the LassoCut API. LassoCut is not affiliated with remove.bg or Canva.