2 Easy Ways to Crop an Image or Object in Inkscape

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Cut part of an object or imported image in Inkscape

Co-authored by Rain Kengly Reviewed by Luigi Oppido

Last Updated: September 1, 2024 Fact Checked

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• Clipping an Object
|
• Clipping a Path
|
• Video

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Do you want to remove unwanted parts of an image? This is usually called cropping, but in Inkscape, you'll need to use the clipping tool. This wikiHow will show you how to crop in Inkscape by using the shape tool and drawing tool.

Quick Steps

1. Click the Shape tool and draw a shape over the image.
2. Click the Select tool.
3. Hold Shift and click the image and shape.
4. Click Object.
5. Click Clip.
6. Click Set Clip.

Steps

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Clipping an Object

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1. 1
   Open Inkscape. This vector program is available on Windows, Mac, and Linux.

   • If you don't have Inkscape, you can download it on the official website.
   • Clipping an object refers to cutting out an object from the background. If you're trying to crop in a more freeform shape, see the Clipping a Path section instead.
2. 2
   Open an image. You can use the keyboard shortcut CTRL + I (Windows) or CMD + I (Mac) to import an image.

   • You can also click File > Import.
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3. 3
   Draw a shape over the image. Click the Square, Circle, or another shaped tool in the toolbar. Click and drag your cursor to create a shape over the image. This should be the part you want to keep.

   • Make sure the shape is on top of your image.
4. 4
   Click the Select tool. This is the cursor icon in the toolbar. You can also press S on your keyboard.
5. 5
   Select both the shape and the image. Hold the Shift key, and then click the shape and image. This will select them at the same time.
6. 6
   Click Object. This is in the top toolbar, between Layer and Path.
7. 7
   Select Clip, and then Set Clip. This will clip the image in the shape.

   • If you have empty space around your image, you can crop the canvas. Click File > Document properties > Display > Resize to content.
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Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Clipping a Path

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1. 1
   Open Inkscape. This vector program is available on Windows, Mac, and Linux.

   • If you don't have Inkscape, you can download it on the official website.
   • Clipping a path involves using the drawing tool to cut out an image.
2. 2
   Open an image. You can use the keyboard shortcut CTRL + I (Windows) or CMD + I (Mac) to import an image.

   • You can also click File > Import.
3. 3
   Select the drawing tool. You can also select the drawing tool. This will have a pencil or pen as the icon, and you can find it in the toolbar.
4. 4
   Draw your shape. Use the drawing tool to freehand the shape in your image. You should be drawing around the part you want to keep.
5. 5
   Click the Select tool. This is the cursor icon in the toolbar. You can also press S on your keyboard.
6. 6
   Select both the shape and the image. Hold the Shift key, and then click the shape and image. This will select them at the same time.
7. 7
   Click Object. This is in the top toolbar, between Layer and Path.
8. 8
   Select Clip, and then Set Clip. This will clip the image in the shape.

   • If you have empty space around your image, you can crop the canvas. Click File > Document properties > Display > Resize to content.
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