Originally Posted by anotherD80

In all the lens tests I see (including Scott's from a couple days ago) I notice folks are able to snag the exact same section from each of their test images. Like, make a copy of a 100x100 section in the exact middle of each image. How do you do this? I see where to put width and height (in the Crop tool), but I'm assuming you need coordinates so the copy is of the exact same area on each image.

I'm not sure if there's an actual way to do it (I'm sure there is), but I simply just took the selection tool, selected what I wanted, then went to image --> crop. All of this while viewing at 100%, which can be done automatically by hitting ctrl-alt-0 (that's a zero, not an o). I just tried to take the same selection each time.

But, I am curious if there's a more accurate way to do it...

- Scott

Hmmm, I never thought about it, but now that I do I have no idea how to select the same section in many images over and over. A quick google search didn't help either.

I wonder if you can select by coordinates? (runs off to check PS help)

Alright, I can't figure out an automated way to do it, but these two ways should get you close:

Use the marquee tool with a fixed size and place it by paying attention to the x/y coordinates in the info pane in the upper right.

Or turn the grid on and constrain your selection to the same grid spaces each time.

Originally Posted by Stime187

Originally Posted by anotherD80

In all the lens tests I see (including Scott's from a couple days ago) I notice folks are able to snag the exact same section from each of their test images. Like, make a copy of a 100x100 section in the exact middle of each image. How do you do this? I see where to put width and height (in the Crop tool), but I'm assuming you need coordinates so the copy is of the exact same area on each image.

I'm not sure if there's an actual way to do it (I'm sure there is), but I simply just took the selection tool, selected what I wanted, then went to image --> crop. All of this while viewing at 100%, which can be done automatically by hitting ctrl-alt-0 (that's a zero, not an o). I just tried to take the same selection each time.

But, I am curious if there's a more accurate way to do it...

- Scott

This is usually what I do. You can also do as others have mentioned, or put all the images you want to crop from in one file with multiple layers and just crop each layer all at once. Only caveat with that is keeping your layers straight, but it's not that hard.

Originally Posted by emorphien

This is usually what I do. You can also do as others have mentioned, or put all the images you want to crop from in one file with multiple layers and just crop each layer all at once. Only caveat with that is keeping your layers straight, but it's not that hard.

I have no concept of how to use layers... hmm... that might be a good tutorial suggestion.

- Scott

Indeed it would be. I don't know how much Ben uses them (other than to do his borders) but I use them sporadically depending on what I'm doing. Maybe just an introduction to what they are and some of what they can do, it'd be impossible to cover it all since that would easily be a chapter in a book.

I do it the way you suggested emo, with stack of images as layers, then crop that...

If you want to stack your shots, here's the easy way (besided copy and paste). Use the move arrow and shift click an image. Keep holding the left button down and drag over to the image you want it on. It will stack them and they'll be lined up. Then make sure you label your layers as you go so you don't get confused.

As for layer usage on a normal basis. I do most of my editing on a duplicate layer so I can see if it really looks better or not. Then I can mask in the original. I'll also use layer masks when making some adjustments if I know they won't be global, but most of what I do is global so it's not needed, just helpful.