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SOFTWARE

Unlock the Power of Preview

6/7/2013 9:08:30 AM

Edit and resize images in a matter of seconds using this quick and easy tool

Preview is yet another unsung app in OS X. It’s been a constant in the operating system ever since the release of Public Beta in 2000, yet so few people really harness its full power, or even remember what it can do, even on the most basic level.

As well as giving you the ability to quickly view PDFs and images, Preview is an excellent editor and can help you resize an image in a matter of seconds. These are the two key features we will focus on in this tutorial. Using Preview negates the need for a somewhat lengthy import, edit, and export procedure in iPhoto, Aperture, or Photoshop. If you simply want to pull images from the SD card port on your Mac, from the web, or from anywhere else, and have them in an email before you can say iLife, then this is the way to do it. It’s also worth making a note of the keyboard shortcuts on display here, as they will shave vital seconds off of the process. The great thing about Preview is that it’s the default image viewer on your Mac, so you can just double-click any image and it will spring to life. Also, it’s wonderfully fast. For us at least, it’s the first port of call for simple image editing before those pics get added to emails, blog posts, iBooks, and even tweets. Take a look at this tutorial and we’re sure you’ll give this OS X stalwart a bit more to do the next time it springs into action.

What you need

An image

Your Mac

1.    Quickest crop ever

Quickest crop ever

Quickest crop ever

Double-click an image and Preview will open and display it. Use the rectangle marquee tool to quickly drag a rectangle shape (your crop area). If it’s not quite right first time round, drag out each side. Hit Command + K and the image is cropped to the area you selected. To undo, hit Command + Z.

2.    Save, use, forge on

Save, use, forge on

Save, use, forge on

With the crop in effect, you can save the image with Command + S. This will overwrite the original picture. If at any stage you want to go back to the first uncropped image, you can do so using Versions in Mountain Lion. Select File > Revert to, then Browse all Versions. Choose a previous iteration of the edit.

3.    Check your size

Check your size

Check your size

Before resizing an image, check how big your original is. Preview displays the full image rather than going straight in at native resolution. Get the bigger picture via the View menu by selecting Actual Size, or use the handy Command + 0 shortcut. This will instantly show you just how big (or small)

4.    Adjust it

Adjust it

Adjust it

To change the size of the image, use the Tools menu and select Adjust Size. Once you have clicked on the menu option, a drop-down menu will appear that lets you change the size in a number of different ways. By having an idea of the true size, you’ll know what is required of the resizing job at hand.

5.    Pick a value

Pick a value

Pick a value

With the resize options available to you, use the drop-down menu that’s attributed to the size values. The simplest option is the percentage value but the others all have specific merits. Pixels can be used to create perfect images for web posts, millimeters for page layout, and centimeters or inches for printing.

6.    Pick a Percentage

Pick a Percentage

Pick a Percentage

Here, we’ve reduced the file size by 50%. Make sure the value below this is correct. The default resolution in most cases is 72 pixels per inch, which is fine for looking at on a (non-Retina) Mac and the web, but not for printing or publishing. If the last two options relate to your image, up the pixels/inch to 300.

7.    Time for an edit

Time for an edit

Time for an edit

Quickly edit an image via Tools > Adjust Colors. You can gain quicker access using the shortcut shown on the menu. Once selected, you’ll see the tool window that’s also used in iMovie. It’s also similar to the advanced controls in iPhoto. From there, you can make precise adjustments to your image.

8.    Stunning sliders

Stunning sliders

Stunning sliders

Use the sliders in the Edit tool window to make changes to Exposure. Contrast, Highlights. Shadows, and Saturation. Use the Saturation slider to pull color out; use the Sepia slider to create an antique effect. Hit save, and you can send, share, or upload it. Hit Reset All at the bottom to go back to the start.

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