Expert: Kevin Stohlmeyer - 10/14/2009

Question
QUESTION: USING CS4.

Say I have a picture in a box I've drawn.
The picture extends over the edges.
How do I crop the picture to fit into the box?
I try using the crop tool and either it crops just the box, crops everything to a small portion of the picture, or tells me I need to select 2 paths.

ANSWER: Hi Kayla,

There is no more crop tool in CS4, what you are using is the Artboard tool, which changes the size of the document. To "crop" the picture to be just inside of the artboard and not extend beyond it, you can draw a rectangle shape on the same layer as your art. Make sure it is on top of everything. Then click the "Create compound path" button at the bottom of the layers panel. This will "crop" your art but not harm it.

Thanks

Kevin


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: artboard tool? No...
I'm using crop in Pathfinder
I dont see a create compound path.

Answer
HI Kayla,

Do not use the pathfinder to do this. It will not work. Create a rectangle shape above your artwork, then open the layers panel and click the "create compound path" button. This will crop your art. The pathfinder "crop" will only work on certain types of path/shapes and is not very effective. This is.

Thanks

Kevin