Photoshop Image Crop

Hi,

Can somebody tell me how to do this very simple thing - I can't work it out!!

I have a photo which I want to select a portion of and keep it at a particular size - how do I do that?

For instance - say I have a 2048 x 1024 image and I want to select a 800 x 600 portion - how do I do that?

I can see how to crop a section but not to a particular size.

[peanut]

What I do to keep the same aspect ratio is select all (CTRL A), then go to Select - Transform Selection, then hold down shift and drag the corner to the size you want. Then you can move it about to crop the area you want.

[punky]

Originally Posted by LSainsbury

Hi,

Can somebody tell me how to do this very simple thing - I can't work it out!!

I have a photo which I want to select a portion of and keep it at a particular size - how do I do that?

For instance - say I have a 2048 x 1024 image and I want to select a 800 x 600 portion - how do I do that?

I can see how to crop a section but not to a particular size.

Click the rectangular select tool on the right and drag a box (anywhere on the picture) and watch on the right hand side under image info. It should tell you how big you are selecting.

Once you get to 800x600, let go. Then use the selection move tool (like the rectangular select tool but has the move icon on it). It won't move your image (If it does, hit Ctrl-Z and look for another tool). Move the box over to where you want the image. Then click crop to selection from the menu.

[Lew]

Actually there should be an option on the rectangular selection tool to select a fixed size.

[peanut]

Originally Posted by Lew

Actually there should be an option on the rectangular selection tool to select a fixed size.

Yeah that's the best way 'obviously' to get the an actual size which I obviously never knew after all this time that it existed. Cheers.

I hate photoshop, impossible to learn or scratch the surface of it. lol.

Pity you didn't ask me..I frequently have to supply a thumbnail size of 100X100 pixels and it's a cinch when you know how.

[Delta Whiskey]

In CS5 you enter the crop size in the tool bar.

Originally Posted by Delta Whiskey

In CS5 you enter the crop size in the tool bar.

Yep - ok - so after the image is cropped, I want to paste that selection into a new image - who do I do that simple operation?

I'm begining to think Photoshop is rubbish - I can do these things simply in PSP!

[haydnwalker]

Originally Posted by LSainsbury

Yep - ok - so after the image is cropped, I want to paste that selection into a new image - who do I do that simple operation?

I'm begining to think Photoshop is rubbish - I can do these things simply in PSP!

Theres plenty of photoshop tutorials on youtube if your interested. Otherwise, stick to the program's you know I'm learning photoshop too...and I'm finding out rather alot from YouTube

[idi banashapan]

Originally Posted by LSainsbury

Yep - ok - so after the image is cropped, I want to paste that selection into a new image - who do I do that simple operation?

I'm begining to think Photoshop is rubbish - I can do these things simply in PSP!

once cropped, select all, copy, select destination window and paste. same principle as copying text from one document to another in word.

PS is far from rubbish. it's very powerful, but takes years to get near to scratching the surface. it can do so much. a rediculous amount to be honest. there will be many many things it can do that you'll just never ever know about.

Originally Posted by LSainsbury

Yep - ok - so after the image is cropped, I want to paste that selection into a new image - who do I do that simple operation?

I'm begining to think Photoshop is rubbish - I can do these things simply in PSP!

You open the new image.You then go back make your fixed size thumbnail,crop it>then select all, under select.Then copy that thumbnail,click on your new image and paste.You should get your thumbnail cropped image in the new image which you can then move, resize or rotate or what ever if you wish.
When you are happy with the position of the cropped image then merge layers.

It would perhaps be a good idea to actually tell us what you are trying to achieve?

If you are trying to say place a head from one picture onto a body in another then using the magic wand or magnetic lasso would be a better option.

To be honest the best way to learn Photoshop is with the Photoshop WOW books

[idi banashapan]

Originally Posted by Maggy J

If you are trying to say place a head from one picture onto a body in another then using the magic wand or magnetic lasso would be a better option.

i find the extract tool much better than lasso or wand. I believe it was introduced in CS3 and is a DL component for CS5 (it's in CS3 out the box). it does mean you need to convert to 8bit to use it, but it is very good for doing quick things on images for the web or non-critical editing when 16 or 32 bit isn't needed.

Originally Posted by idi banashapan

i find the extract tool much better than lasso or wand. I believe it was introduced in CS3 and is a DL component for CS5 (it's in CS3 out the box). it does mean you need to convert to 8bit to use it, but it is very good for doing quick things on images for the web or non-critical editing when 16 or 32 bit isn't needed.

Well I don't have the later versions of Photoshop..but I have used them and yes it's a great tool sometimes.Depends on what you are trying to do and how much skill and patience you have.