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How to Crop a Layer in Pixlr

Published in Image Editing 2 mins read

Cropping a layer in Pixlr requires a slightly different approach than simply cropping the entire image. There isn't a direct "crop layer" function. Instead, you select the area you want to keep, copy it, delete the original layer, and paste the selection onto a new layer.

Method 1: Using the Marquee Selection Tool and Copy/Paste

  1. Select the layer: Ensure the layer you wish to crop is selected in the layers panel.
  2. Choose the selection tool: Select the rectangular marquee tool (or another appropriate selection tool depending on the shape of your crop area).
  3. Make your selection: Click and drag your mouse to create a rectangular selection around the portion of the layer you want to keep. Adjust the selection handles as needed to refine your crop.
  4. Copy the selection: Press Ctrl+C (or Cmd+C on macOS) to copy the selected area to your clipboard.
  5. Delete the original layer: Delete the original layer containing the uncropped image.
  6. Paste the selection: Press Ctrl+V (or Cmd+V on macOS) to paste the copied selection onto a new layer. This new layer will contain only the cropped portion.

Method 2: Working with Multiple Layers (to avoid cropping background)

If you have a background layer you don't want affected by the cropping operation, follow these steps:

  1. Duplicate the layer: Create a duplicate of the layer you intend to crop. This protects the original.
  2. Crop the duplicate layer: Use the method outlined above (Marquee Tool, Copy/Paste) to crop the duplicated layer.
  3. Delete the original layer (optional): You can now delete the original, uncropped layer if desired.

Important Considerations:

  • Pixlr Editor's limitations: Unlike some professional image editing software, Pixlr doesn't have a direct "crop layer" feature. The workaround using selection and copy/paste achieves the desired effect.
  • Using the Crop Tool: While the Crop Tool in Pixlr affects the entire canvas, using the selection tools allows for precise cropping of individual layers.
  • Free Transform Tool: The Free Transform feature can resize layers but offers less precise cropping control.

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