I've always used cropping in PS by entering a width/height and leaving the resolution blank. But I've recently learned that some people prefer to use the rectanguar marquee tool. Can anyone explain why one tool is better than the other?
I suspect that along with the marquee tool, they're copying the selected portion into a new blank file. I haven't used the marquee enough to speak authoritatively, but if it's not possible, I'd miss the opportunity to specify dimensions as with the cropping tool. In any case, I'm not affecting the original file because I use Save As to create a new file once I've done all my work. Same end result, but different (and for me more convenient) path to get there.
EDIT:
Hmmmmph. I just went and looked and the marquee tool does have features for specifying dimensions. Still won't use it, because it's easier for me to use Save As than to go through the steps to create a new blank file.
Sometimes I use the crop tool. I usually use the rectangular marquis tool for cropping, but I wouldn't say that it is a preference as much as a habit. There are a number of different ways in PhotoShop to accomplish the same end, and this is one example. There are some differences between the methods, but most of all I think it just boils down to which one you like to use.
Posted by Keith Bauer on August 12, 2010 at 6:16 PM
Hmm... I've never used the marquee tool for cropping. At least a couple of advantages to using crop are: 1) In CS5 when you drag a crop rectangle, by default it gives you a rule of thirds grid overlay. Yes, I know, you may not want to follow that "rule", but at least it's there. The is also the option for a grid, or nothing at all. 2) You can select either "Delete" or "Hide" in the crop tool options bar. If you choose "Hide" the cropped area is not deleted, just hidden. You can always go back, and re-crop to add information back, or just go to Image / Reveal All to see the entire image as it was before the crop. If you can do that with the Marquee tool, I'm not aware of it (doesn't mean it isn't there, I'm just not aware).
Whatever works for ya.....
Posted by David Bostedo on August 12, 2010 at 10:58 PM
The only difference I know of between the marquee and crop tools in CS4, is that with the marquee tool you can select a particular size in pixel dimensions.
-- In the marquee tool, if I want to select an area 1500x1000 pixels, I can set that and click once and it's a fixed size.
-- In the crop tool, I can only set a size in inches and then set how many pixels per inch I want. Then when I click and drag, the crop tool with resize to match my settings - there's no good way to get exact pixel dimensions without resizing
Posted by John Mumaw on August 12, 2010 at 11:09 PM
-- In the crop tool, I can only set a size in inches and then set how many pixels per inch I want.
David,
You can set a pixel size in the Crop tool by typing in ' px' after the dimensions you choose.
You can find more handy Crop tool tips here if you're interested.
Posted by David Bostedo on August 13, 2010 at 8:42 AM
You know John, I thought I tried that before posting, but maybe I mis-typed. And if I set the size in pixels, does it then actually select a fixed size? Or still allow re-sizing?
Thanks for the link, John. I'll probably be using the crop tool more frequently after reading that tutorial. Here's what it says about the rectangular marquee tool:
"Another popular tool many people like to use, is the Rectangular Marquee tool. This has similar presets like the Crop Tool but does not alter the resolution. There you can also set a fixed aspect ratio, to get the dimensions you like. Remember to make sure the Feather is set to 0, except you are feathering on purpose. To resize and rotate, you will need to use the Select/Transform Selection command and to crop the area outside the selection, go to Image/Crop."
That's why/how I've been using it.
Posted by John Mumaw on August 13, 2010 at 5:59 PM
David,
It actually selects a fixed size. Not sure about the resizing, but I reckon if you put in a number in the resolution box, it would work. Let me know...
Posted by David Bostedo on August 14, 2010 at 12:28 AM
John - Even when putting in pixel dimensions for the crop tool (and a blank resolution), it still allows the selection box to be resized. So the pixel dimensions become the output dimensions for the area you crop, rather than fixed dimensions in the original image.
I can't get the crop tool to replicate what the marquee tool does when you specify pixel dimensions.
Discussion
9 repliesEDIT:
Hmmmmph. I just went and looked and the marquee tool does have features for specifying dimensions. Still won't use it, because it's easier for me to use Save As than to go through the steps to create a new blank file.
Whatever works for ya.....
-- In the marquee tool, if I want to select an area 1500x1000 pixels, I can set that and click once and it's a fixed size.
-- In the crop tool, I can only set a size in inches and then set how many pixels per inch I want. Then when I click and drag, the crop tool with resize to match my settings - there's no good way to get exact pixel dimensions without resizing
You can set a pixel size in the Crop tool by typing in ' px' after the dimensions you choose.
You can find more handy Crop tool tips here if you're interested.
"Another popular tool many people like to use, is the Rectangular Marquee tool. This has similar presets like the Crop Tool but does not alter the resolution. There you can also set a fixed aspect ratio, to get the dimensions you like. Remember to make sure the Feather is set to 0, except you are feathering on purpose. To resize and rotate, you will need to use the Select/Transform Selection command and to crop the area outside the selection, go to Image/Crop."
That's why/how I've been using it.
It actually selects a fixed size. Not sure about the resizing, but I reckon if you put in a number in the resolution box, it would work. Let me know...
I can't get the crop tool to replicate what the marquee tool does when you specify pixel dimensions.