Mac Tutorials
How to Resize a Photo on Mac Without Any Software: A Simple Guide
Photo editing is a crucial part of digital content creation. And one common task is resizing photos. But, how can you accomplish this on a Mac without installing any additional software? Let’s find out! In this guide, we’ll show you how to resize a photo on Mac using the built-in Preview app, an amazing tool you didn’t know you had 😉. Furthermore, we will compare this process with the Windows 10 one for better understanding 🖥️.
Step by step guide to resize a photo on Mac
Brace yourself, we’re about to make your life a lot easier! Let’s get started: 🚀
Duplicate your file
A better approach to preserve your original file is to create a duplicate before editing. To do this, simply right-click on the filename in the Finder and choose ‘Duplicate’ 🗂. Worth mentioning that no software is needed here!
Open the duplicated file
Open the version of your file with the filename ending in ‘copy’. Go to Tools in the Preview app and choose ‘Adjust Size’ 📏. It’s different from Windows but don’t worry, you’ve got this!
Adjust the size
You will find customizable size options, from a smaller version to large. For instance, you could opt for a mid-range 1024 dimensions. Click ‘OK’, and Voila! Your photo is now resized, with a significantly smaller file size compared to the original 🎉.
Save the changes
The preview may show the photo at a different size, but fear not! This is normal. The important point is that you aren’t overwriting your original file 💾. Feel free to open the original and the copied version simultaneously to compare them visually 👌.
Notice the changes
Pay close attention, and you’ll notice the pixelization in the copied version. This is the reason for the smaller file size! It allows the image to load quicker on a website, providing a better user experience ⚡.
Practical application
In case you are planning to use this resized photo for emailing or uploading to a website, consider the dimensions you need. Resampling the image to fit those dimensions will give you the best results. You can fit more photos in an email with the resized versions without losing noticeable quality 💌🌐.
Conclusion: 🏁
This guide made resizing photos on the Mac a breeze, didn’t it? 🎈 You didn’t even need any additional software. Remember, duplicating, adjusting the size, and saving the changes is all it takes. If you found this helpful, don’t hesitate to spread the knowledge. Sharing is caring, after all 💖. Let’s keep making the digital space better, one quickly loading image at a time! 👏
FAQ
What are the steps to resize a photo on Mac without any software?
The steps include opening the photo in Preview, clicking on ‘Tools’, then ‘Adjust Size’, input the desired dimensions and finally clicking on ‘OK’.
Can I resize a picture on Mac without third-party software?
Yes, you can use the built-in Preview application on Mac to resize photos.
What software do I need to resize a photo on Mac?
You don’t need any software – you can use the built-in Preview application on your Mac.
Is there a loss in quality when I resize a photo using Mac’s Preview?
There may be a minor loss in quality when you resize a photo, especially if you are reducing its size significantly or enlarging it.
Can resizing be undone on Mac’s Preview app?
Yes, you can undo a resizing operation by clicking ‘Edit’ and then ‘Undo Adjust Size’. However, once you save the changes and close the picture, you cannot undo the resizing.
Can I resize multiple photos at once using Mac’s Preview?
Yes, Mac’s Preview app allows you to select and resize multiple photos at once.
Can I adjust the resolution as well while resizing the image?
Yes, the ‘Adjust Size’ option in Mac’s Preview application lets you adjust the resolution as well.
Can I preserve the aspect ratio while resizing an image on Mac?
Yes, you can preserve the aspect ratio by clicking the ‘Scale proportionally’ checkbox in the ‘Adjust Size’ tab.
What image formats can be resized using Mac’s Preview?
Preview can resize most common image formats, including JPEG, PNG, TIFF, and others.
What is the maximum size to which I can resize a photo?
This is limited by the resolution of the original photo. If you attempt to increase the dimensions too much, the photo may become pixelated.
Does resizing the photo on Mac’s Preview cost anything?
No, using Mac’s Preview application is completely free.
Why doesn’t the ‘Adjust Size’ option appear in my Preview app?
Ensure that you have an image file opened in the Preview app. If you’re still encountering issues, consider updating your macOS to the latest version.
What do ‘pixels’ mean in the context of resizing photos?
Pixels are the smallest units of an image. When you resize an image, you’re changing the number of pixels it has.
How does resizing affect the file size of the photo?
Reducing the dimensions (in pixels) of the photo principally decreases the file size, while increasing them will generally increase the file size.
How can I resize a photo to a specific file size on Mac?
While Mac’s Preview doesn’t provide a direct option to resize to a specific file size, you can reduce the dimensions and check the resultant file size.
What’s the difference between ‘Resample image’ and ‘Scale proportionally’ in Mac’s Preview?
‘Resample image’ changes the total number of pixels in the image, while ‘Scale proportionally’ keeps the height and width in the same ratio while resizing.
What do ‘width’ and ‘height’ indicate in the context of resizing photos?
‘Width’ is the horizontal dimension of the photo, and ‘Height’ is the vertical dimension. The units are typically pixels.
Can I print the picture after resizing it?
Yes, after resizing the picture, you can print it from the ‘File’ menu in Preview.
Can I resize a photo that’s opened from an external storage device?
Yes, you can open and resize a photo from any location using Mac’s Preview. However, make sure to have the necessary read/write permissions to save changes.
Can I resize a GIF using the Preview app on Mac?
Yes, you can resize a GIF using Mac’s Preview. The process is the same as for other types of image files.
How can I check the new dimensions of the resized photo?
You can check the dimensions from the ‘Tools > Show Inspector’ option or by hovering the mouse over the filename in Finder.
Why is my resized JPG photo not opening in another application?
This could be due to compatibility issues or the other application not supporting the new resolution/file size. Try opening the photo in a different application.
What should I do if Mac’s Preview crashes while resizing photos?
Restart the Preview application. If the problem persists, check for macOS updates or contact Apple support.
Can I rename the photo from Preview after resizing it?
After resizing, you can save and close the photo. Then from Finder, you can rename the photo.
Are there keyboard shortcuts to resize photos in Preview on Mac?
There isn’t a dedicated keyboard shortcut for ‘Adjust Size’, but you can use shortcuts for ‘Tools’ (Option+Cmd+1) and navigate with arrows.
Can I resize photos in bulk using the Finder’s Quick Actions on Mac?
Yes, Finder’s Quick Actions allow you to resize photos in bulk. However, this feature might not be available on older versions of macOS.
Can I resize a screenshot on Mac using Preview?
Yes, screenshots are typically in PNG or JPG format, and you can resize them using Mac’s Preview.
Why do the resized photos appear blurry?
This usually occurs when a small-sized photo is blown up significantly during resizing. It’s always best to start with a larger, higher-quality photo when possible.
Can I convert the image format while resizing on Preview?
Yes, while saving the resized photo, you can choose to save it in a different format from the ‘Format’ dropdown menu.
Can I change the color profile of the image while resizing it on Preview?
Yes, you can adjust the color profile of the image under the ‘Tools’ menu in Mac’s Preview.