Long time user of Picture It. Upgraded to Digital Image Suite Anniversary
Edition and mostly love the improvements.

I am befuddled with one task - The cropping tool seems to make additional
choices for me. Can I make it crop a Square and truly keep that shape?

I typically start with a blank new photo, open a couple of images and create
a collage. Then I want to use the cropping tool to create an exact square
for use on a website. But it seems like every time I use the tool, I end up
with a slightly modified rectangle even if I limit myself to only grabbing
and adjusting the corners (never the sides/top/bottom middle controls).

Any hints/tips would be appreciated.

After cropping I resize and save - I have those tasks under control.

--
Best regards,
Chris

Chris wrote:
> Long time user of Picture It. Upgraded to Digital Image Suite
> Anniversary Edition and mostly love the improvements.
>
> I am befuddled with one task - The cropping tool seems to make
> additional choices for me. Can I make it crop a Square and truly
> keep that shape?
>
> I typically start with a blank new photo, open a couple of images and
> create a collage. Then I want to use the cropping tool to create an
> exact square for use on a website. But it seems like every time I
> use the tool, I end up with a slightly modified rectangle even if I
> limit myself to only grabbing and adjusting the corners (never the
> sides/top/bottom middle controls).
>
> Any hints/tips would be appreciated.
>
> After cropping I resize and save - I have those tasks under control.
====================================
When cropping...if you select a proportion...and
drag only the corner handles...the aspect ratio
should be maintained.

If you enter a custom size...try holding Shift or
Shift+Ctrl while dragging the corner handles.

Then you can move the selection window by
dragging the 4 way arrow and you can nudge
the selection into place with your arrow keys.

Another way to accomplish this task would be to
use the Marquee tool...(easier to do than to explain)

1) Choose Square
2) Check the Shape Proportions box....1 - 1
3) Drag the box to the size and position you require
(you can move and readjust the selected
area by left clicking.... Adjust Marquee)
4) When you are happy with the selection...
copy the selected area by typing...Ctrl+C...
(Also...you can add the selection as a
separate layer to the original image by
typing...Ctrl+D)

Now... open a blank canvas by left clicking
the "New" button (or Ctrl+N)...and Paste the
cutout...Ctrl+V...the blank will autofit the cutout.

So the simple steps are...

1) Define your selection with the
Advanced Selection tools...
2) Ctrl+C
3) Ctrl+N
4) Ctrl+V

Now your cropped area (cutout) is autofitted
onto a new canvas..

--

John Inzer
MS Picture It! -
Digital Image MVP

Digital Image
Highlights and FAQs
http://support.microsoft.com/ph/695

Notice
This is not tech support
I am a volunteer

Solutions that work for
me may not work for you

Proceed at your own risk

John,

Sorry for the long delay in getting back to this thread.

I haven't tried to duplicate my problem with the cropping tool yet, but one
of your comments planted an idea that really helped.

I set the new blank photo/canvas as square and at the dimensions I need.
Now when I drag other photos onto the blank photo, I'm working within the
boundaries I want to keep.

Thank you very much for all your work here.

--
Best regards,
Chris

Chris wrote:
> John,
>
> Sorry for the long delay in getting back to this thread.
>
> I haven't tried to duplicate my problem with the cropping tool yet,
> but one of your comments planted an idea that really helped.
>
> I set the new blank photo/canvas as square and at the dimensions I
> need. Now when I drag other photos onto the blank photo, I'm working
> within the boundaries I want to keep.
>
> Thank you very much for all your work here.
====================================
You're welcome.

Thanks for the feedback.

--

John Inzer
Digital Media MVP

Notice
This is not tech support
I am a volunteer

Solutions that work for
me may not work for you

Proceed at your own risk

Try to use this picture resizing tool
http://www.softorbits.com/batch_picture_resize/ It works well!