How to Cut Out an Image on Mac - TechnologyDOTs.com

Using the Preview application on Mac, you can easily edit images and cut out backgrounds or specified parts of them.

You can cut out an image on Mac by starting with opening the file. Next, select the Show Markup toolbar. From here, choose the Selection tools menu. Tap on the Smart lasso tool to select it. Use this tool on the image to select the area you want to cut out. Once done, you can simply use the keyboard shortcut Command + X to cut the image or tap on Delete.

This article details how you can cut a part of an image using Preview.

Table of Contents

How to Cut Out an Image on Mac?

Extracting a part of an image can easily be done by using Preview, you do not need any additional third-party software to do this. Refer to the instructions given.

Now, find the file that you want to make changes to.
Select and double-click to open it.
If the image file opens in some other application like Adobe, close the window.
Select the image file, and right-click on it to display the context menu.
Click on open with and select Preview.
Once the image has loaded inside Preview.
Click on the show markup toolbar button, which is in the shape of a marker at the top of the window.
Choose the Selection tools menu, which is shaped like a dotted square.
Select the Smart lasso tool.

Now determine the area of the picture that you want to focus on.
Using the tool, trace out the edges of the section that you want to cut from the main image.
The photo should be within the edges of the tracing section.
Join the end of the border to the starting point to complete a loop.
Now you can either use the Command-X shortcut to cut the image or use the delete key to get rid of the selected portion.
Alternatively, you can also keep the selected portion and delete everything else around it.
To do this, head over to the Menu bar and click on Edit.
Select Invert selection from the list.
Now, hit the Delete button, and everything other than the selected area of the image will be deleted.

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Deleting Image Background Using Preview on Mac

Deleting the background of an image is not as complicated as it sounds. The preview app makes all of this very easy.

Power on your Mac and sign in to it.
Launch Finder. The application can be found on the dock by default.
Now, find the file that you want to make changes to. Select the image file, and right-click on it to display the context menu.
Select open with and choose Preview from the list.
After the image has loaded inside Preview.
Hit the instant alpha button.
Drag this tool over the background of the image.
Preview will automatically select the areas that have the same colors adjacent to it.
Now simply hit Delete to remove the background of the image.
Alternatively, you can also keep the selected portion and delete everything else around it.
To do this, head over to the Menu bar and click on Edit.
Select Invert selection from the list.
Now, hit the Delete button, and everything other than the selected area of the image will be deleted.

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How to zoom in on Images in Preview on Mac?

Suppose you need to see the finer details within a photo on your Mac. You can use a magnifying tool to do so. Read the instructions provided below to learn more about the process.

Launch Finder. The application can be found on the dock by default.
You can also use a Spotlight search if you can’t find the application.
Search for the image you want and double-click to open it.
If the image opens in some other app, select the file and right-click on it to display the context menu. Select Open with and click on Preview from the list.
Now, after the file has loaded, head over to the Menu bar and select the Tools tab.
Click on the Show Magnifier option, and the cursor will morph into a magnifying tool. You will see a magnified image inside a circle wherever you drag the cursor.

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Inserting an Image Using Preview on Mac

This is a fairly easy process but a little different. However, the following method explains it in very simple steps. Refer to the instructions provided.

Sign in to your Mac.
Launch Finder. The application can be found on the dock by default.
Look for the file that you want to make changes to, and double-click to open it. Close the window if the image opens up in a different app like Adobe.
Right-click on the file to display more options. Select Open with, and choose Preview from the list.
Copy the image using the keyboard shortcut or select it by right-clicking on the photo.
Paste it within the same file
You might notice that nothing has changed but the image has been pasted on top of the original one. Click on the image and copy it.
Closeout Preview
Now, launch Finder again and find the PDF where the copied image is supposed to be pasted.
Double-click on the file to open it. Make sure you launch it in Preview.
Now, you must select an area within the file and paste the copied image.
Using the dots surrounding the image, you can adjust the image as per your preference.
Now, close out the Preview application, and the file will be saved in its original destination

Conclusion

That’s it for this article folks, now you know how to cut out an image on Mac. Be sure to check out other tips and tricks mentioned here.

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Robert

Robert is a tech expert (with more than 10 years of experience in using mac os and iPhone) who loves to help others learn about the Mac operating system and iPhone. He provides helpful tutorials on how to use Mac OS, tips and tricks for getting the most out of your Mac operating system, iPhone tips and tricks, and more. He’s always up for a challenge and enjoys learning new things about his favorite OS. When he’s not helping people get the most out of their technology, he enjoys spending time with his wife and two cats. Check out more.