HOW TO CROP IMAGES IN PHOTOSHOP: 4 Quick & Easy Ways

Crop in Photoshop
Photo Credit: canva.com

On rare occasions, you may get a good shot, but the space around the subject is too large. You might wish to reduce the size. Alternatively, if you have a precise size and shape in mind for the image, you can use the crop tool to achieve it. In this post, we’ll go over the fundamentals of circle cropping in Photoshop as well as a cropper tool that can crop images without any Photoshop knowledge.

How to Crop Images in Photoshop

Photoshop, the most popular professional image-editing software, can undoubtedly perform the basic process of cropping photos. Because cropped photos come in a variety of formats and uses, there are numerous ways to crop images in Photoshop. Today, we will introduce numerous distinct crop methods ideal for various conditions, from which you can select based on your requirements.

How to Crop an Image with Crop Tool in Photoshop

Crop Tool in Adobe Photoshop is a sophisticated tool for cropping or trimming images to a given size or aspect ratio. It lets you select a section of an image and delete the rest, thereby resizing and repositioning the image within the selected region. Follow these instructions to use the Crop Tool in Photoshop:

  • Open the image you wish to crop, and then press C to activate the crop tool Photoshop.
  • Drag the Markers of the Crop Frame, and you can see markers on the screen to suit your purpose.
  • Finally, press Enter (Top Panel-Check Mark). You have now completed image cropping.

Furthermore, while using the Crop Tool, you can refine your crop by selecting numerous choices from the options bar:

  • Angle: This option allows you to rotate the crop selection if necessary.
  • Width, Height, and Resolution: Enter the cropped image’s dimensions and resolution.
  • Crop Shield: This option creates a semi-transparent overlay outside the crop selection to aid in visualizing the final image.

Always make a duplicate or work on a different layer before cropping an image to preserve the original image in case you need to revert to it later. These tips should get you started using  Crop Tool Photoshop. Experiment with it to get the cropping effect you want for your images.

How to Crop Images into a Circle Shape in Photoshop?

To learn how to circle crop images in Photoshop, use the Elliptical Marquee Tool to create a circle layer.

  • Select the Elliptical Marquee Tool and open the image you wish to crop.
  • To select a perfect circle, hold Shift while making a selection.
  • Use Control-X to select the Background layer, then Control-V to delete it. We can generate a cropped Photoshop layer in this manner, and you can retrieve the cropped layer.

How to Crop Images in Photoshop Using a Clipping Mask?

If you’re wondering how to crop single-layer images in Photoshop, we can use a Clipping Mask.

  • Open the image and use the Ellipse Tool to draw a shape above the region you want to cut. The first step is to draw a circle.
  • Place the Ellipse Layer beneath the image, then right-click and select Create a Clipping Mask.
  • Simply move the Ellipse layer to change the position of the mask.

How to Crop GIF Images in Photoshop by Cropping a Layer?

A GIF file is a specific image format, and it is possible to crop the gif file to match the occasion. It is still possible to achieve in Photoshop in a few simple steps:

  • Open the GIF image in Photoshop and navigate to Window > Timeline to view all of the frames.
  • You can then crop the image using any of the previous ways. Crop your favorite images with the free crop Photoshop tool by pressing C. Because we cropped all of the frames in our GIF animation, there isn’t much of a difference between cropping still images and GIF files.

How to Crop Images in Photoshop Without Cropping the Background Using a Layer Mask

  • Do you want to know how to crop images in Photoshop without the background? This time, let’s try a layer mask! Select the second layer and press the Add a Mask button.
  • In the Layers panel, choose the layer’s Mask and make a selection with the Rectangular Marquee Tool, as we did before.
  • When you’re done, press Shift-Control-I (or pick Selection > Inverse) to invert the selection.
  • Press Shift-F5 (or go to Edit > Fill), select Black as the Contents, and click OK.

And finally, just press Control-D (or go to Select > Deselect) to deselect.

How to Use a Batch Crop Photoshop Action

  • If you need to crop multiple files at once, consider GraphicRiver’s Auto Crop Photoshop Action. Let’s see how this action works for circular cropping Photoshop images.
  • First and foremost, you must install the action. In the most recent versions of Photoshop, you can simply open the.atn file (Control-O or File > Open).
  • After installing an action, look for it in the Actions panel (Window > Actions or Alt-F9). To use it for numerous files, place all of the images in a single folder and then click on File > Automate > Batch.
  • In the newly opened box, use the Set Picker to select the Crop Image Set and then Decrease – Shape (Circle) Crop.
  • Check the Suppress File Open Options Dialogs box and select the Source Folder containing your images and the Destination Folder where you want your results saved. After that, simply press OK.

How to Crop Images in Photoshop to a Specific Shape

When constructing a presentation or using images for display on a website, they must fit exactly; no excess millimeters are permitted. If you have a large number of images to crop, it may be worthwhile to create a Photoshop action for the process.

You can crop an image to an exact size using the Aspect Ratio Menu; this is useful when your final image must meet specific measurement standards. In the crop tool Options Bar, enter the ratio numbers in the Aspect Ratio Menu above the canvas window.

You can enter the aspect ratio in Pixels/in or Pixels/cm using the aspect ratio option. Choose your option and input the new measurement. When you enter an aspect ratio, a crop border will appear above your image. You can reposition this crop border by dragging your cursor over the framed area.

When you’ve decided on a cropping area for your image, hit Enter, and Photoshop will automatically crop and resize it.

How to Straighten a Cropped Image in Photoshop

You can use the crop tool to straighten a crooked image. In reality, straightening images is a regular aspect of the workflow that a photographer uses alongside cropping.

  • In the Tools Palette on the left side of the screen, select the Crop tool.
  • Use the crop handles on the frame’s corners and sides to resize and reposition the crop frame.
  • To straighten the image, move the cursor outside the picture canvas and into the background of the Photoshop work area. The pointer should shift to a curve with arrows at both ends.
  • Move the cursor by clicking and dragging. You should notice the image rotating. In little increments, spin the picture until it is straightened. Turning on a grid overlay (see the part earlier in the article on grid overlays) can help you align the gridlines with the horizon or another level line in the shot.
  • Once you’re happy with the crop, click the checkbox in the Tool Options bar to apply it to your photo.

How Do I Use the Crop Tool in Photoshop CC?

Follow these steps to use the Crop Tool in Photoshop CC:

  1. Launch Photoshop CC and open your image.
  2. From the toolbar on the left side of the screen, select the Crop Tool. It is accessible by clicking on the icon that resembles a square with diagonal lines.
  3. Click and drag on your image to create a rectangular selection that represents the area you want to keep. You can change the size of the selection by dragging the edges or corners. The areas outside the selection will be cropped.
  4. You can also alter your crop by using the choices in the options bar at the top of the screen:
  • Aspect Ratio: From the dropdown menu, select an aspect ratio, such as 4:3 or 16:9.
  • Straighten: Use the Straighten tool if your image has a skewed horizon or needs to be straightened.
  • Crop Shield: This option creates a semi-transparent overlay outside the crop selection to aid in visualizing the final image.
  1. Once you’ve decided on a crop and any further settings, press Enter or click the Commit button in the options box to apply it. The image will be cropped to the specified area, and the remainder will be discarded.

If you want to save the original image, save your cropped image as a new file or on a separate layer. These methods should help you use the Crop Tool in Photoshop CC to crop and trim your images properly.

What Is Crop Ratio in Photoshop?

The Crop Ratio in Photoshop refers to the aspect ratio or proportionate relationship between the crop selection’s width and height. It allows you to select a specific crop ratio for an image.

When using  Crop Tool Photoshop, you may specify a Crop Ratio to ensure that the resulting cropped image has a certain width-to-height proportion. When you wish to keep a consistent aspect ratio or adhere to specified measurements, this is useful.

What Is the Shortcut for Crop?

The Crop Tool shortcut in Adobe Photoshop is “C.” By pressing the “C” key on your keyboard, you can activate the Crop Tool and begin cropping your image without having to manually choose the tool from the toolbar.

To use the shortcut for the Crop Tool:

  • Launch Photoshop and open your image.
  • Press the “C” key on your keyboard.
  • The Crop Tool icon will appear in place of the cursor.
  • Create a rectangular crop selection by clicking and dragging on your image.
  • Drag the edges or corners to adjust the crop choices as needed.
  •  Press Enter or Return to apply the crop.

Using keyboard shortcuts in Photoshop can help speed up your workflow, and the “C” shortcut for the Crop Tool gives you instant access to cropping functionality.

How Do I Crop an Image in Photoshop Without Losing Quality?

Follow these instructions to crop an image in Photoshop without losing quality:

  • Open your image in Photoshop.
  • Make a duplicate layer
  • Select the Crop Tool
  • Set the options for the Crop Tool
  • Refine the crop
  • Apply the crop

Why Can’t I Use the Crop Tool in Photoshop?

There could be a few reasons why you are unable to use the Crop Tool in Photoshop:

  • Wrong Tool Selection
  • Layer Type
  • Locked Background Layer
  • Selection Mode
  • Image Size
  • Photoshop Version

How to Crop Two Photos Into One?

Use the following steps to merge two photos into one in Photoshop:

  • In Photoshop, open the two images you want to combine.
  • Choose one of the photos to serve as the basis image.
  • Crop the underlying image using the Crop Tool (shortcut key: C) to get the appropriate composition or aspect ratio.
  • When you’re happy with your crop pick, press Enter or Return to apply it.
  • Choose the other photo you wish to use in the arrangement.
  • Copy the second photo: Press Ctrl/Command + A to select the entire image, then Ctrl/Command + C to copy it.
  • Return to the original image and paste the second photo: To paste the copied picture onto the base image, use Ctrl/Command + V.
  • Position and resize the second photo layer as desired: Use the Move Tool (shortcut key: V) to move the second photo layer and position it within the crop region of the base image. You can also use the Free Transform (Ctrl/Command + T) to better suit the second photo layer by resizing, rotating, or scaling it.
  • When you’re satisfied with the second photo layer’s position and size, press Enter or Return to perform the transformation.
  • If necessary, you can fine-tune the composition by combining the two images with layer masks, blending modes, or other editing techniques.
  •  Save your final composition as a new file to keep the original photos.

Conclusion

We’ve gone over several methods for cropping photos in Photoshop, including simple cropping, selecting undefined, using clipping masks undefined to create a crop layer, and even cropping the GIF image. I hope this post can assist you in any crop-related situation!

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