Cropping images is a simple yet powerful way to improve composition or remove unwanted parts of a photo. The Preview app on Mac makes this process easy and efficient. Follow these steps to crop images in Preview.
Step 1: Open Your Image in Preview
- Locate the Image: Find the image you want to crop on your Mac.
- Open with Preview:
- Right-click (or Control-click) on the image file.
- Select Open With > Preview.
Step 2: Select the Area to Crop
- Select the Rectangular Selection Tool:
- Click the Selection Tool icon in the toolbar (it looks like a rectangle).
- If the toolbar is not visible, go to View > Show Toolbar.
- Draw a Selection:
- Click and drag your mouse over the area you want to keep.
- Adjust the selection by dragging the corners or sides.
Step 3: Crop the Image
- Crop the Selection:
- Once you have the desired area selected, go to the Edit menu in the top bar.
- Select Crop or use the shortcut Command + K.
Step 4: Save Your Cropped Image
- Save the Changes:
- To save the cropped image, go to File > Save or use the shortcut Command + S.
- If you want to keep the original image, select File > Save As to create a new file.
Additional Tips
- Undo Changes: If you make a mistake, you can undo your last action by going to Edit > Undo or using Command + Z.
- Aspect Ratio: If you want to maintain a specific aspect ratio while cropping, hold the Shift key while dragging to create a proportional selection.
- Zoom In/Out: You can zoom in and out on your image using Command + Plus (+) and Command + Minus (-) for more precise cropping.
Conclusion
Cropping images in Preview is a quick and effective way to enhance your photos on a Mac. Whether you’re preparing images for sharing or simply tidying up, following these simple steps will help you achieve the perfect crop.