Have you ever taken a photo and realized that it’s not exactly what you wanted? Maybe there’s an unwanted object in the shot or you just want to focus on a specific part of the image. Whatever your reason, cutting out a portion of an image can be a great way to enhance its composition.
Fortunately, Adobe Illustrator provides easy-to-use tools for this task. In this blog post, we’ll explore how to cut out part of an image in Illustrator and give your photos the perfect finishing touch they deserve!
Step One: Open the Image in Illustrator
The first step to cutting out part of an image in Illustrator is to open the image file. This can be done by clicking on ‘File’ and then selecting ‘Open’ from the dropdown menu. Alternatively, you can use the shortcut keys Ctrl+O (Windows) or Cmd+O (Mac).
Once you have opened the image in Illustrator, it’s important to ensure that it is in a suitable format for editing. The best file formats for Illustrator are JPEG, PNG, and TIFF. If your image is not currently saved in one of these formats, you may need to convert it before proceeding.
It’s also worth noting that if your original image has multiple layers or objects within it, you may want to consider simplifying it before continuing with the cropping process. This will make selecting and cropping specific parts of the image much easier.
Before moving onto Step Two, take a moment to familiarize yourself with some of the basic tools available within Illustrator such as selection tools and zooming functions. These will come in handy when working on more detailed edits later on.
Opening your chosen image file correctly using Adobe Illustrator sets up a strong foundation for successful editing down the line – so take care with this initial stage!
Step Two: Select the
Now that you have opened the image in Illustrator, it’s time to select the area you want to cut out. This step may seem simple, but it requires precision and attention to detail.
There are several ways to select an area in Illustrator. One of the most common methods is by using the Selection Tool (V). It allows you to drag a box around the area you want to select. However, if your image has irregular shapes or edges, using the Pen Tool (P) might be more effective.
The Pen Tool allows you to create anchor points and curves manually, giving you more control over your selection. To use this tool effectively, zoom in on your image and follow its contours closely.
Alternatively, if your image has a solid color background or sharp edges, try using Magic Wand Tool (Y). This tool automatically selects areas based on their color value similarity and contrast with surrounding pixels.
Remember that selecting an accurate area is crucial for successful cutting out of parts from images. Take your time and experiment with different tools until you find one that works best for your specific needs.
Step Three: Crop the Image
Now that you have selected the portion of your image that you want to keep, it’s time to crop out everything else. This process is simple and can be done in just a few clicks.
Firstly, navigate to the “Object” tab on your top menu bar and select “Crop Image.” A new dialog box will appear giving you options for how you want to crop your image.
You can either choose to use a rectangular shape or an elliptical one depending on what suits your needs best. Once you’ve selected the shape, position it over the part of the image that you want to keep and click “Ok.”
The area outside of the shape will now disappear leaving only your desired portion visible. It’s important to note here that cropping does not delete any part of your original image – it simply hides it from view.
If at any point during this process, you find yourself unhappy with how things are looking, don’t worry! Simply go back through steps two and three until everything looks perfect before moving onto step four – saving!
Cropping an image in Illustrator is quick and easy once mastered making it a go-to tool for designers when editing images.
Step Four: Save the Image
Once you have successfully cropped your image, it’s time to save it. Saving an image in Illustrator is simple and straightforward. The program offers a variety of file formats to choose from, including JPG, PNG, SVG and AI.
To save your image in Illustrator, click on “File” at the top left corner of the screen and select “Save As”. Choose the desired file format from the drop-down menu and give your file a name that reflects its content.
It’s worth noting that some file formats are better suited for certain purposes than others. For example, if you intend to use your image on a website or social media platform, saving as a PNG will preserve any transparency within the design.
On the other hand, if you plan to print your design or use it in large-scale projects such as billboards or banners, saving as an AI file will ensure maximum quality and scalability.
In addition to selecting a suitable file format, make sure to also consider where you’re saving your files. Keeping all related images organized in one folder can help streamline your workflow and prevent confusion down the line.
By following these steps for saving your newly-cropped image in Illustrator, you’ll be able to easily access it whenever needed without sacrificing quality or clarity.
Conclusion
Cutting out part of an image in Illustrator is a simple and straightforward process. By following the steps outlined above, you can easily remove unwanted elements from your images to create clean and professional-looking designs.
Remember to always save your work as you go along, so that you can revert back if needed. Additionally, practice makes perfect with this task – the more familiar you become with the process, the quicker and easier it will be for you to accomplish.
So whether you’re a graphic designer or just looking to edit some personal photos, give these steps a try next time you need to cut out part of an image in Illustrator!