How to Use Preview on Mac to Edit Pictures

Preview is a versatile application that comes pre-installed on your Mac, serving as both an image viewer and editor. While it's easy to use Preview simply as an image viewer, you can also utilize its editing features to enhance your photos. In this article, we'll explore the various ways you can edit pictures using Preview on your Mac.

Zooming in with Plus and Minus Buttons

One of the most basic yet useful features of Preview is its ability to zoom in and out of images using the plus (+) and minus (-) buttons located at the top right corner of the window. This allows you to get a closer look at specific areas of your image or step back for a broader view.

Opening Images from File Explorer

If you have an image file on your Mac, such as a JPEG or PNG, you can simply double-click it to open it in Preview. Alternatively, you can run the Preview app and manually select the image file from its location.

Editing and Marking Up with Preview

Preview offers two distinct modes: PDF viewer and image viewer. Both allow you to mark up and edit your files in various ways. For instance, you can use the Tools menu to crop or trim unwanted parts of an image. Additionally, you can utilize the Rectangular Selection tool to select specific areas within a PDF file.

Cropping Images

To crop a photo or graphic open on your screen, follow these steps: first, select the area of the image you want to keep by dragging the mouse cursor over it, which creates a dotted line around the selected portion. Next, click and drag the blue dots on the corners and center of the outlined box to adjust the selection as needed. Finally, press the Command (⌘) and K keys to delete everything outside the dotted lines.

In conclusion, Preview is more than just an image viewer; it's a powerful editing tool that allows you to enhance your photos right on your Mac. By utilizing its various features, including zooming, cropping, and marking up, you can refine your images and achieve professional-looking results without needing any additional software.

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How to use preview on mac to edit pictures