Cropping an image on a Mac is simple and fast, even if you’re new to photo editing. We just need to use built-in tools like Preview or the Photos app to select the exact part of the picture we want and remove the rest. These tools let us easily adjust the size and shape of our images without needing extra software.
Whether we are working on a quick social media post or preparing pictures for a project, cropping helps focus on the important details. By learning how to crop images right on our Mac, we can save time and keep our photos looking clean and professional.
There are several ways to crop an image on Mac, from basic methods to a few tricks you might not know. Let’s explore these steps so we can start editing our pictures with confidence.
Key Takeaways
- Cropping images on Mac is quick using built-in apps.
- We can easily adjust photos for better focus and size.
- Multiple tools give us options to crop exactly how we want.
Preparing Your Image for Cropping
Before we start cropping images on Mac, it’s helpful to make sure our photo is ready. This means making a backup of the original and checking the image settings like size and resolution first. Taking these steps saves us from losing the original photo and helps us get better results when we crop photos on Mac.
Duplicate Your Original Image
The first thing we should do is make a copy of the image. This way, if we don’t like the crop or make a mistake, the original stays safe.
To duplicate an image on Mac, we can open the image in Preview. Then choose File > Duplicate from the menu. This creates a copy which we can edit without touching the first.
Saving the duplicate with a new name keeps things organized. For example, add “cropped” or “edit” to the file name. That way, we know which is the original and which has been cropped.
Making a duplicate is a quick and easy step that protects our photos. It’s especially important when cropping images on Mac because cropping often removes parts permanently unless we undo right away.
Adjust Image Settings Before Cropping
Before we crop, it helps to check the image size and resolution. This way, we know if the photo is big enough or needs resizing first.
In Preview, we can find this by clicking Tools > Show Inspector. Under the Info tab, we see the image’s pixel dimensions and file size. If the photo is too small, cropping may lower quality.
If needed, we can resize the image in Preview before cropping. Go to Tools > Adjust Size to set a new width and height or change resolution.
Checking settings helps us make better decisions about how much to crop. It makes sure the final photo fits our needs, whether for social media or printing.
Taking these preparation steps makes cropping photos on Mac easier and safer for us.
Cropping Images Using Mac Preview
We can use Mac Preview to quickly crop images without extra software. This app lets us open pictures, select exactly what we want to keep, and save the cropped version easily. It offers tools for precise cropping and simple ways to save or export our finished image.
Open and Select Image Area in Preview
First, we open the image in Preview by double-clicking it or right-clicking and choosing Preview from the “Open With” menu.
Once the image is open, we click the Markup Toolbar button (a small toolbox icon) if it’s not already visible. This shows the cropping and selection tools.
To select the area, we click and drag across the image to draw a rectangle around the part we want to keep. We can adjust the size by dragging the corners or sides of the selected box.
If we want to check exact dimensions, we can go to Tools > Show Inspector, then switch to the crop tab. This helps if you need specific sizes, like cropping photos to fit a frame.
Use Markup Tools for Custom Cropping
After selecting the area, we click Crop in the Markup Toolbar. This removes everything outside the box.
Preview also lets us undo the crop right away with Edit > Undo Crop if we make a mistake. If we want to undo after closing the image, we can use File > Revert To > Browse All Versions to restore an earlier copy.
We can also use the selection tools to create custom shapes like squares or rectangles for cropping, but Preview doesn’t support cropping to circles or other shapes directly.
Save or Export the Cropped Image
When we finish cropping, we save the new image by clicking File > Save or File > Export if we want to change the format.
Using Export, we can pick formats like JPEG, PNG, or PDF, depending on how we plan to use the image. This is helpful if the original format isn’t what we need.
If we want to keep the original image untouched, it’s best to use Save As or Duplicate before cropping, so our original stays safe.
For more detailed steps about cropping photos with Preview, check out this guide on how to crop images in Mac Preview.
Cropping Photos with the Photos App
When we crop photos on Mac using the Photos app, we get a simple way to adjust our images quickly. We can choose preset sizes or crop freely. Plus, the app lets us undo changes or keep our original photos safe while editing.
Access and Edit Photos
First, we open the Photos app on our Mac and find the photo we want to crop. Double-clicking the image brings it up full screen. Then, we click the Edit button in the top toolbar to enter editing mode.
To get to the crop tool, we click the Crop icon in the editing toolbar or press the shortcut key C on our keyboard. This opens up the crop frame around the photo so we can start adjusting it.
Apply Aspect Ratios and Manual Crops
Once we’re in crop mode, we have a few options. We can drag the corners of the frame to crop freely. This lets us cut out any unwanted areas by resizing the selection exactly how we want.
If we want standard sizes, we can select an aspect ratio from the options on the sidebar. For example:
- Square (1:1)
- 4:5 for printing photos
- 16:9 for video formats
- Or enter a Custom ratio
There’s also an Auto button that crops and straightens the photo automatically if the image is tilted.
Revert Changes and Non-Destructive Editing
Cropping in Photos changes the image everywhere in the app, like in albums and projects. So, if we want to keep the original look, it’s best to duplicate a photo before cropping.
If we change our mind, the Revert to Original button removes all edits and restores the full photo. This way, cropping stays non-destructive, and we never lose the original image.
When happy, we click Done to save the crop and finish editing. This workflow makes it easy to crop images on Mac safely and cleanly.
For detailed steps, check out how to crop and straighten photos on your Mac using the Photos app.
Alternative Cropping Methods on Mac
There are several quick and easy ways to crop images on a Mac beyond the main Photos app. We can speed up cropping with keyboard shortcuts, use Quick Look without opening full apps, or try online tools when we want a simple option without software.
Keyboard Shortcuts for Quick Cropping
Using keyboard shortcuts can save us time when cropping images. In the Photos app, pressing C opens the crop and straighten tools immediately. This gives us instant access to adjust the image size or correct angles without hunting through menus.
When cropping manually, we drag the selection box to choose the area we want to keep. If we want to switch between preset aspect ratios, we can use the mouse or trackpad, but shortcuts help us start editing faster.
Remember, after cropping, hitting Return or clicking Done saves changes. If we decide to cancel, pressing Esc or clicking Revert goes back to the original image. These shortcuts keep cropping quick and smooth.
Cropping with Quick Look
Quick Look lets us preview images without fully opening an app. On Mac, selecting a photo and pressing the spacebar opens Quick Look. Here, we can crop images using the markup toolbar.
To access the cropping tools, click the markup icon (a pen tip or pencil). Then, select the crop tool to drag a box over the part of the photo to keep. After cropping, we click Done, and the image is saved instantly.
This method is great for quick edits when we don’t want to open full apps like Photos or Preview. It’s simple and built into macOS, so no extra software is needed.
Using Online Image Cropping Tools
Sometimes, we might prefer cropping without using any Mac apps. Online image croppers work well in that case. We upload our image to websites designed just to crop photos easily.
These tools usually let us select crop boundaries manually or choose from preset sizes like square, 4:5, or 16:9. After cropping, we download the new version without affecting the original file on our Mac.
Using online croppers is handy if we want to crop images for social media or projects without installing extra apps. Just go to an online platform, upload your photo, crop, and save the result quickly.
One example is Croppola, which automatically suggests good crop areas for a balanced look. You can try similar tools when you want fast and smart cropping from your browser.
Frequently Asked Questions
Cropping images on a Mac can be straightforward, but sometimes we run into questions. We’ll cover common steps, free options, shortcuts, file types like PNG, and how to crop pictures from the internet.
What are the steps to crop a photo using Mac Preview?
First, open your image in Preview. Then, click and drag to select the area you want to keep. Next, go to the Tools menu and choose Crop. Finally, save your cropped image.
Can you suggest a free way to crop images on a Mac?
Yes, the built-in Preview app is free and easy to use for cropping images. Another handy free option is the Photos app that comes with macOS. Both let us crop without extra software.
Is there a shortcut for quickly cropping pictures on a MacBook?
In Photos, pressing the C key opens the crop and straighten tools quickly. In Preview, there isn’t a dedicated shortcut for cropping, but using the selection tool combined with the Crop option is fast.
How do you crop a PNG file on a Mac?
We can open PNG files in Preview or Photos just like any other image. Use the crop tool in either app, then save the PNG file after cropping. The quality stays the same.
Why might I be having trouble cropping an image on my MacBook?
Difficulty can happen if the image is locked or in a format that Preview or Photos can’t edit. Also, if you don’t click Edit mode first in Photos, cropping might not be available. Duplicating an image before editing helps avoid issues.
What’s the process for cropping a picture from the internet on a Mac?
First, save the image from the internet to your Mac. Then, open it in Preview or Photos. Use the crop tool to select the part you want, and save your cropped image. This keeps the original online image untouched.