Do you want to know how to crop in Photoshop? Today we’re going to learn everything about cropping in Adobe’s photo editing software.
1. How to crop a photo in Photoshop
Step 1
Let’s start with an easy way to crop an item in Photoshop: the crop tool. Let’s open any image you want to use, and then just hit C to activate the crop tool Photoshop function (you can also find it in the Tools panel).
Step 2
Now, all you need to do is drag the Markers of the Crop Frame, which you can see on the screen to fit your purposes.
Step 3
Finally, just press Enter (or hit the Check Mark in the Top Panel), and voila! This is how to crop out a background in Photoshop in a few moments!
2. How to use the Photoshop crop to selection function
Step 1
Let’s open any other image and then select the Rectangular Marquee Tool (or just press M).
Step 2
Now, just make a selection of the area you’d like to crop with this tool.
Step 3
Once you’ve finished with the selection, go to Image > Crop.
Here’s a result of the crop to selection method:
3. How to crop an image in a circle shape in Photoshop
Step 1
If you’re wondering how to crop a circle in Photoshop, the answer is easy: use the same Marquee Tool as in previous steps, but this time select the Elliptical Marquee Tool. This can be useful for creating rounded avatars, so let’s try this technique with a portrait.
Step 2
If you want to select a perfect circle, hold Shift while you create a selection.
Step 3
Now let’s go to Image > Crop and, as you can see, Photoshop cropped our image to a rectangle, which is not exactly what we need. I will show you how to avoid this in the next step.
Step 4
To create a circle crop Photoshop layer, you need to press Control-X and then Control-V and then Delete the Background layer. In this way, we’ll cut the circle from the background.
4. How to crop a picture in Photoshop using a clipping mask
Step 1
If you want to know how to crop a single layer in Photoshop, we can use a Clipping Mask for this purpose. So let’s say we have a few layers in the document and we want to crop the second layer to a circle.
Step 2
To crop an item in Photoshop with a clipping mask, you need to create a circle shape. Press U or select the Ellipse Tool and then create a shape above the area which you would like to cut.
Step 3
After that, put the Ellipse Layer below the photo and then Right Click > Create a Clipping Mask.
Step 4
This method is non-destructive, so you can change the position of the mask just by moving the Ellipse layer, but don’t hesitate to use the previous methods for a single-layer crop, as they will work as well.
5. How to crop an image in Photoshop without cropping the background using a layer mask
Step 1
Want to learn how to crop an image in Photoshop without cropping the background? Let’s try a layer mask this time! Select the second layer and hit Add a Mask.
Step 2
Now select the Mask of the layer in the Layers panel and make a selection using the Rectangular Marquee Tool, as we did before.
Step 3
Once you’ve finished, hit Shift-Control-I (or go to Selection > Inverse) to invert the selection.
Step 4
Press Shift-F5 (or go to Edit > Fill), set the Contents to Black, and hit OK.
Step 5
And finally, just press Control-D (or go to Select > Deselect) to deselect.
6. How to crop a layer in Photoshop if it’s a GIF file
Step 1
Let’s try to crop a GIF in Photoshop. Open your GIF file in Photoshop, and then go to Window > Timeline to see all the frames.
Step 2
After that, you can use any of the previous methods to crop the image. Let’s use the free crop Photoshop tool, so press C and crop the image as you like.
As you can see, all the frames of our GIF animation are cropped, so there’s no big difference between cropping static images and GIF files.
Now you know how to crop a layer in Photoshop!
Today we’ve covered everything about how to crop a photo in Photoshop, from a simple crop to making a selection to using clipping masks. Let’s consolidate all our knowledge into a list:
- How to free crop in Photoshop: you can do it with the Crop Tool (C), which you can find in the Tools panel.
- How to crop a single layer in Photoshop using the crop to selection: all you need to do is use the Rectangular Marquee Tool (M), select the area you want to crop, and go to Image > Crop.
- How to crop a circle in Photoshop: use the Elliptical Marquee Tool from the Tools panel and press Control-X > Control-V.
- How to crop a layer in Photoshop with a clipping mask: create any shape you want and put it below the layer, and then Right Click on the top layer and select Create a Clipping Mask.
- How to crop an image in Photoshop without a cropping background using a layer mask: add a layer mask to your layer, select the area on the mask with the Rectangular Marquee Tool (C), and then hit Shift-Control-I to invert the selection and Fill it with black.
- How to crop multiple images: use a Photoshop action and the Batch function. Additionally, read this tutorial on how to resize multiple images in Photoshop.
- How to crop a layer in Photoshop if it’s a GIF: you can do it just the same way as with static images, so try the Crop Tool (C) or the crop to selection method.
Besides these various techniques, now you have a brand new alternative: Envato’s AI features. With your Envato subscription, you can get unlimited access to all of these easy-to-use tools and stay up to date with the latest AI trends.
Envato’s ImageEdit includes an AI photo crop tool, and it can also remove the background, expand the image, erase or replace elements, and more. No need for credits, installation, complicated prompts, or new accounts. Just go to Envato’s ImageEdit, upload the photo you want to modify, and edit images with AI now!
You can also take a look at Placeit’s Free Image Cropper. It’s a great tool which can help you to crop your pictures right in your browser.
Do you prefer to follow a video tutorial? Check out the Envato Tuts+ YouTube channel, where you find tons of step-by-step videos to master every essential Photoshop skill:
