Publishers of technology books, eBooks, and videos for creative people

Home > Articles > Adobe Photoshop > Technique

This chapter is from the book

Cropping

Keeping What You Cropped

qus.jpg Is there a way to restore an area I've cropped out of an image? Before you ask: Yeah, I already saved and closed the file.

tick.jpg By default, the crop tool permanently deletes the cropped area, and you can't recover that area after saving. However, if you check out the Options bar for the Crop tool, you'll find two Cropping Area options: Delete, and Hide (you only see these after drawing the cropping rectangle). The Hide option is unavailable if you're cropping an image with a Background in the Layers palette, so the first step is to convert Background to a layer.

  1. In the Layers palette, Option/Alt-double-click the Background layer to convert it to Layer 0.
  2. Select the Crop tool, and drag a crop rectangle.
  3. In the Options bar, click the Hide button ( Figure 3.7 ).
    03fig07.jpg

    Figure 3.7 Clicking the Hide button on the Options bar for the Crop tool while a crop area is active. The Layers palette shows that the default Background was converted to a layer so that the Hide button would be available.

  4. Press Enter or Return.

Because you clicked the Hide option, there are two things you can now do that you couldn't before. First, you can reposition the cropped image using the Move tool (wow!). And second, at any time you can restore the cropped area by choosing Image > Reveal All.

You can also recover any part of the hidden area by dragging the Crop tool beyond the edge of the image.

The area cropped out by the Hide option stays around even after you save and reopen the document, as long as you don't flatten the image. Because documents cropped with the Hide option look the same as documents cropped with the Delete option, you might want to add a note to the document using the Notes tool, to remind you that there is extra image area that needs to be preserved.

Removing Perspective With the Crop Tool

qus.jpg Is it true that you can actually use the Crop tool to correct perspective distortion in an image?

tick.jpg It sure is! There's a Crop tool option called Perspective, which is yet another crop tool option that's only visible when a crop area is active:

  1. Using the Crop tool, drag a crop rectangle. Don't worry about precision at the point.
  2. In the Options bar, check the Perspective option ( Figure 3.8 ).
    03fig08.jpg

    Figure 3.8 Dragging crop area handles (bottom left) to match perspective lines in the image, made possible by the Perspective checkbox in the Options bar for the Crop tool (top) while a crop area is active. When you commit the crop, the Crop tool removes the perspective distortion (bottom right).

  3. Drag corner handles to line up the edges of the crop area with perspective lines in the image.
  4. Press Enter or Return to commit the crop area. The Crop tool uses your modified crop area to remove the perspective distortion.

Living on the Edge

qus.jpg The Crop tool is hard to control when it's right up against the edge of the window. I notice this most when I'm trying to move crop area handles in Perspective mode. If I drag a crop handle outside the window, I can't get it back. If I zoom out to see the area outside the image, I can no longer position the handle with precision. Is it possible to have more control over cropping near edges while I'm zoomed in close on the image?

tick.jpg Yes. If you're viewing a document in the default window view (Standard Screen Mode), you may find it difficult to start or stop dragging precisely at the edge of an image. It's much easier if there's space around the image. Either zoom out or enlarge the window slightly to reveal the area outside the image, and you'll now be able to snap exactly to the image edge when you start or stop dragging ( Figure 3.9 ). If you're viewing the document in Full Screen mode or Full Screen with Menu Bar mode, either choose View > Fit on Screen or zoom in and use the Hand tool to scroll past the edge; either method allows tools to snap to the edge.

03fig09.jpg

Figure 3.9 In Standard Screen Mode (top), it's possible to drag a crop area handle past the window edge. To reach that handle after you release the mouse, you'd have to zoom out. If you work in one of the Full Screen modes (bottom), you can reach handles outside the crop area without having to zoom out.

Cropping with the Marquee Tool

qus.jpg When I use the Crop tool Options bar to crop to a specific dimensions, it changes the resolution of the image. How can I crop to specific dimensions without altering the resolution of the image? I just want to clip some pixels off of the sides of the image.

tick.jpg When you use the Crop tool and in the Options bar you specify a fixed size while leaving Resolution blank, the size of the crop area you drag determines the resolution of the resulting image. For example, if you set the Crop tool for 4 inches wide, any crop area you drag must be resized to fit into 4 inches. If one crop area you drag is twice as large as another, that's double the pixels to fit into four inches; therefore the resolution doubles.

To crop to specific dimensions without altering the resolution, you can use the Rectangular Marquee tool:

  1. Select the Rectangular Marquee tool.
  2. On the Options bar, choose Fixed Size from the Style popup menu, and enter the size you want, such as "4 in" or "200 px" ( Figure 3.10 ).
    03fig10.jpg

    Figure 3.10 The Options bar for the Marquee tool includes a Fixed Size option that you can use to crop an image without altering the file resolution.

  3. Drag the Rectangular Marquee tool to position the selection marquee. You can only reposition the marquee; you won't be able to resize it because you used the Options bar to lock the dimensions.
  4. Choose Image > Crop.
  5. Choose Select > Deselect.

Why not just fill in the Resolution field in the Options bar for the Crop tool? If you do this, the Crop tool resamples the image, so if you're trying to avoid resampling, don't fill in the Resolution field.

Cropping in Camera Raw

qus.jpg I see that Camera Raw also has a Crop tool. When should I use that one?

tick.jpg We think you should crop in Adobe Camera Raw whenever possible. If you crop in Camera Raw, you'll reduce the amount of data that's passed to Photoshop in the first place. Also, the Crop tool in Adobe Camera Raw is nondestructive, so if you screw up a crop, just go back to Camera Raw, edit the crop, and re-convert the raw image to Photoshop. Nondestructive cropping in Camera Raw is much easier than using the Hide feature in the Options bar for the Crop tool.

One big advantage to cropping in Camera Raw is that Camera Raw remembers the crop. If you ever need to convert the raw image again, your previous crop is already there. If you crop a converted raw in Photoshop and you need to convert the raw file again, you have to somehow re-create the same crop.

Camera Raw records your crop area along with your other raw adjustments, saving it all to the Camera Raw database or in the image's XMP file, depending on how you've set your preferences. That's how it remembers the crop.

Changing the Frame Aspect Ratio

qus.jpg I need to get an image into an aspect ratio of 16:9 for an HDTV project. What's the fastest way to do that?

tick.jpg If you know the pixel dimensions of the new aspect ratio, such as 1280x720 pixels, simply choose the Crop tool and enter the new dimensions in the Crop tool's Options bar before you start dragging the crop rectangle.

However, the Crop tool doesn't provide a way to enter an aspect ratio, such as 16:9, without also changing the dimensions of the image. If you want to crop to a specific aspect ratio (outside of Camera Raw), you can use the Marquee tool.

  1. Select the Rectangular Marquee tool.
  2. On the Options bar, choose Fixed Aspect Ratio from the Style popup menu, and enter the aspect ratio you want. For example, to set a 16:9 aspect ratio, enter 16 into the Width box and 9 into the Height box.
  3. Drag the Marquee tool to position the selection rectangle ( Figure 3.11 ). If you want to reposition or resize the selection rectangle after you release the mouse, choose Select > Transform Selection and Shift-drag a corner handle to resize it proportionally (and then press Enter).
    03fig11.jpg

    Figure 3.11 To crop an image to a new aspect ratio without altering its resolution, use the Marquee tool in Fixed Aspect Ratio mode.

  4. Choose Image > Crop.

Changing the Pixel Aspect Ratio

If you import an image from a video capture (such as a frame from iMovie) and the contents appear distorted in Photoshop, you may need to assign a different pixel aspect ratio to the image. Simply choose the pixel aspect ratio of the source video from the Image > Pixel Aspect Ratio submenu.

Assigning a pixel aspect ratio doesn't alter the image data at all. It only corrects the display to account for the pixel aspect ratio under which the image was created. If you want to see what the image looks like without the pixel aspect ratio correction and without losing the assigned pixel aspect ratio, you can turn the command View > Pixel Aspect Ratio Correction on and off. You can assign a pixel aspect ratio to a new document, too.

In the New dialog box (File > New), click the triangle next to Advanced and enter a Pixel Aspect Ratio.

Peachpit Promotional Mailings & Special Offers

I would like to receive exclusive offers and hear about products from Peachpit and its family of brands. I can unsubscribe at any time.

Overview


Pearson Education, Inc., 221 River Street, Hoboken, New Jersey 07030, (Pearson) presents this site to provide information about Peachpit products and services that can be purchased through this site.

This privacy notice provides an overview of our commitment to privacy and describes how we collect, protect, use and share personal information collected through this site. Please note that other Pearson websites and online products and services have their own separate privacy policies.

Collection and Use of Information


To conduct business and deliver products and services, Pearson collects and uses personal information in several ways in connection with this site, including:

Questions and Inquiries

For inquiries and questions, we collect the inquiry or question, together with name, contact details (email address, phone number and mailing address) and any other additional information voluntarily submitted to us through a Contact Us form or an email. We use this information to address the inquiry and respond to the question.

Online Store

For orders and purchases placed through our online store on this site, we collect order details, name, institution name and address (if applicable), email address, phone number, shipping and billing addresses, credit/debit card information, shipping options and any instructions. We use this information to complete transactions, fulfill orders, communicate with individuals placing orders or visiting the online store, and for related purposes.

Surveys

Pearson may offer opportunities to provide feedback or participate in surveys, including surveys evaluating Pearson products, services or sites. Participation is voluntary. Pearson collects information requested in the survey questions and uses the information to evaluate, support, maintain and improve products, services or sites; develop new products and services; conduct educational research; and for other purposes specified in the survey.

Contests and Drawings

Occasionally, we may sponsor a contest or drawing. Participation is optional. Pearson collects name, contact information and other information specified on the entry form for the contest or drawing to conduct the contest or drawing. Pearson may collect additional personal information from the winners of a contest or drawing in order to award the prize and for tax reporting purposes, as required by law.

Newsletters

If you have elected to receive email newsletters or promotional mailings and special offers but want to unsubscribe, simply email ask@peachpit.com.

Service Announcements

On rare occasions it is necessary to send out a strictly service related announcement. For instance, if our service is temporarily suspended for maintenance we might send users an email. Generally, users may not opt-out of these communications, though they can deactivate their account information. However, these communications are not promotional in nature.

Customer Service

We communicate with users on a regular basis to provide requested services and in regard to issues relating to their account we reply via email or phone in accordance with the users' wishes when a user submits their information through our Contact Us form.

Other Collection and Use of Information


Application and System Logs

Pearson automatically collects log data to help ensure the delivery, availability and security of this site. Log data may include technical information about how a user or visitor connected to this site, such as browser type, type of computer/device, operating system, internet service provider and IP address. We use this information for support purposes and to monitor the health of the site, identify problems, improve service, detect unauthorized access and fraudulent activity, prevent and respond to security incidents and appropriately scale computing resources.

Web Analytics

Pearson may use third party web trend analytical services, including Google Analytics, to collect visitor information, such as IP addresses, browser types, referring pages, pages visited and time spent on a particular site. While these analytical services collect and report information on an anonymous basis, they may use cookies to gather web trend information. The information gathered may enable Pearson (but not the third party web trend services) to link information with application and system log data. Pearson uses this information for system administration and to identify problems, improve service, detect unauthorized access and fraudulent activity, prevent and respond to security incidents, appropriately scale computing resources and otherwise support and deliver this site and its services.

Cookies and Related Technologies

This site uses cookies and similar technologies to personalize content, measure traffic patterns, control security, track use and access of information on this site, and provide interest-based messages and advertising. Users can manage and block the use of cookies through their browser. Disabling or blocking certain cookies may limit the functionality of this site.

Do Not Track

This site currently does not respond to Do Not Track signals.

Security


Pearson uses appropriate physical, administrative and technical security measures to protect personal information from unauthorized access, use and disclosure.

Children


This site is not directed to children under the age of 13.

Marketing


Pearson may send or direct marketing communications to users, provided that

  • Pearson will not use personal information collected or processed as a K-12 school service provider for the purpose of directed or targeted advertising.
  • Such marketing is consistent with applicable law and Pearson's legal obligations.
  • Pearson will not knowingly direct or send marketing communications to an individual who has expressed a preference not to receive marketing.
  • Where required by applicable law, express or implied consent to marketing exists and has not been withdrawn.

Pearson may provide personal information to a third party service provider on a restricted basis to provide marketing solely on behalf of Pearson or an affiliate or customer for whom Pearson is a service provider. Marketing preferences may be changed at any time.

Correcting/Updating Personal Information


If a user's personally identifiable information changes (such as your postal address or email address), we provide a way to correct or update that user's personal data provided to us. This can be done on the Account page. If a user no longer desires our service and desires to delete his or her account, please contact us at customer-service@informit.com and we will process the deletion of a user's account.

Choice/Opt-out


Users can always make an informed choice as to whether they should proceed with certain services offered by Adobe Press. If you choose to remove yourself from our mailing list(s) simply visit the following page and uncheck any communication you no longer want to receive: www.peachpit.com/u.aspx.

Sale of Personal Information


Pearson does not rent or sell personal information in exchange for any payment of money.

While Pearson does not sell personal information, as defined in Nevada law, Nevada residents may email a request for no sale of their personal information to NevadaDesignatedRequest@pearson.com.

Supplemental Privacy Statement for California Residents


California residents should read our Supplemental privacy statement for California residents in conjunction with this Privacy Notice. The Supplemental privacy statement for California residents explains Pearson's commitment to comply with California law and applies to personal information of California residents collected in connection with this site and the Services.

Sharing and Disclosure


Pearson may disclose personal information, as follows:

  • As required by law.
  • With the consent of the individual (or their parent, if the individual is a minor)
  • In response to a subpoena, court order or legal process, to the extent permitted or required by law
  • To protect the security and safety of individuals, data, assets and systems, consistent with applicable law
  • In connection the sale, joint venture or other transfer of some or all of its company or assets, subject to the provisions of this Privacy Notice
  • To investigate or address actual or suspected fraud or other illegal activities
  • To exercise its legal rights, including enforcement of the Terms of Use for this site or another contract
  • To affiliated Pearson companies and other companies and organizations who perform work for Pearson and are obligated to protect the privacy of personal information consistent with this Privacy Notice
  • To a school, organization, company or government agency, where Pearson collects or processes the personal information in a school setting or on behalf of such organization, company or government agency.

Links


This web site contains links to other sites. Please be aware that we are not responsible for the privacy practices of such other sites. We encourage our users to be aware when they leave our site and to read the privacy statements of each and every web site that collects Personal Information. This privacy statement applies solely to information collected by this web site.

Requests and Contact


Please contact us about this Privacy Notice or if you have any requests or questions relating to the privacy of your personal information.

Changes to this Privacy Notice


We may revise this Privacy Notice through an updated posting. We will identify the effective date of the revision in the posting. Often, updates are made to provide greater clarity or to comply with changes in regulatory requirements. If the updates involve material changes to the collection, protection, use or disclosure of Personal Information, Pearson will provide notice of the change through a conspicuous notice on this site or other appropriate way. Continued use of the site after the effective date of a posted revision evidences acceptance. Please contact us if you have questions or concerns about the Privacy Notice or any objection to any revisions.

Last Update: November 17, 2020