Paint 3D

How to Crop an Image in Paint 3D

Use the Crop tool to keep the area you want, set a ratio, and save the result.

Beginner3 min read
Recreated Paint 3D view · Source video at 1:04

Choose Crop above the canvas, drag the handles around the area you want to keep, and click Done. The darker area outside the frame shows what will be left out. The video demonstrates a crop on a simple drawing, but the same steps apply to a photo or screenshot. For a banner or profile picture, decide on the required shape before placing the crop box.

How to crop an image in Paint 3D

  1. Open the picture

    Recreated Paint 3D view · Source video at 0:15

    Go to Menu > Open > Browse files and choose the picture. If it opens at a small zoom level, zoom in until the edges are easy to see. Check which parts of the picture must stay inside the frame before you begin.

  2. Turn on Crop

    Recreated Paint 3D view · Source video at 0:23

    Select Crop from the row above the workspace. A rectangle appears over the picture and the Crop options open on the right. For a free crop, drag the handles directly. If you need a particular shape, choose an available preset or use the size controls in the pane.

  3. Frame the area you want to keep

    Recreated Paint 3D view · Source video at 1:04

    Pull the corners or edges inward and check the darkened area. The bright area inside the box is what the new canvas will show. If a preset changes the frame unexpectedly, reposition it and check the edges again. For a custom crop, Lock aspect ratio keeps the current shape as you drag.

  4. Apply the crop and save

    Recreated Paint 3D view · Source video at 1:18

    Click Done and inspect the new edges. Use Ctrl+Z if you clipped something accidentally. Once the framing looks right, choose Menu > Save as > Image, pick an image format, and save the cropped version under a new name.

Tips for sizing a crop

Crop first when the main issue is framing. Resize afterward if you also need specific pixel dimensions. For a square profile image, leave enough space around the subject for services that display square uploads in a circular mask. The Crop tool in this walkthrough produces a rectangular image. A circular cutout needs a separate selection and transparency workflow.

Frequently asked questions

Why did marks outside my crop frame still appear?

The app treats the canvas and separate objects differently. A selectable object can extend beyond the cropped canvas. Click the object to check whether it has its own handles, then reposition or remove it if needed. Review the saved image preview, which is the best check of the final framing.

Can I change the crop after saving?

You can undo a crop in the current session while the edit is still in history. A flattened cropped export does not contain the discarded edges. Keep your original image and create another copy from it whenever you need a wider frame or a different aspect ratio.

Watch the YouTube tutorial

Follow the original demonstration to see the controls in motion.

Watch on YouTube