Cropping Images Made Easy - Window Picture Gallery

[RaymondG]

When you are wanting advice on an item of militaria, the better you present the images, the easier it will be for a member to make a judgement for you.

Cropping an image is the best way to show only what is relevant and removes any unnecessary background.

Windows has an easy to use cropping feature. As far as I know, it is free on Vista and XP.

For example, I have a picture of an SS pin and have posted it. A member asks to see a close up the sig runes before they can make a decision on the pins authenticity. You will thus need to get as much detail in an image as I can.

So, to start with right click on the image and go to 'OPEN WITH'. It will shows applications capabale of opening the file. See if Windows Picture Gallery is listed. If so click on it and it will open the photo screen

[RaymondG]

You will now have the image on screen and various option but you will notice a button called 'FIX'.

Click on FIX and it opens the image again in an editing mode.

[RaymondG]

In this window you will see a few options.

To the right of the screen is a button entitled 'Crop Picture'

Click on the button and you will then see a box with a dotted line. This is the selecting tool.

The box is easy to use.

Left click mouse over box (keep button depressed) and you can move the box around.

Place mouse pointer on the dotted line and an icon similar to this will appear (<---->)

This allows you to resize the box to get a more accurate crop.

[RaymondG]

So you are happy with the size of the cropping box.

Hit the apply button.

[RaymondG]

NOTE: when you click to close the program, the software automatically saves the file. So, if you want to keep the original format I would suggest copying the file and renaming it before you start the process.

So, you are now ready to post the image for the member who wanted to see a close up of the badge