Can Darktable crop to an exact pixel size like 1280×720?
Asked 12/17/2018
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2 answers
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In Darktable, I want to crop an image to a specific output size such as 1280×720 and then move that crop area around to choose the composition. I can find aspect-ratio options in the crop and rotate module, but not obvious fields to enter an exact pixel width and height for the crop. Is there a way to do this directly in Darktable, or is the usual workflow to set the crop ratio first and then control the final pixel dimensions on export?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
7y ago
2 Answers
5
Yes you can crop to an exact size by dragging the sizing around manually and eventually get it right on what you need but doing it repeatedly soon gets annoying.
To "input an exact size" I had to set up that particular size first.
I have a size I want to use often, so after manually getting the sizing correct, I saved this size as a pre-set in the crop and rotate tool. I can now apply it to any selected image which crops automatically but then turn the tool off then on again brings it back as a selected area, then I can move the selection around the image to choose which area is retained before using doubleclick to set it.
Originally by user90210. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user90210
6y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
Darktable’s crop tool is mainly ratio-based, not a direct “enter exact crop width/height in pixels” tool.
What you can do:
- In Darkroom > Crop & Rotate, set the crop to the aspect ratio you want. You can even type a custom ratio into the aspect list (for example, 16:9 or 9:7).
- Then move the crop box to choose the part of the image you want to keep.
- Set the final pixel dimensions during export in Lighttable > Export selected using the max size fields.
So for 1280×720, the practical workflow is:
- Apply a 16:9 crop in Crop & Rotate.
- Position the crop area.
- Export with max size set to 1280 on the long edge (or otherwise matching the desired output).
If you reuse the same crop size/ratio often, one answer suggests saving it as a preset in the crop tool so you can reapply it quickly and then reposition it.
In short: exact pixel dimensions are typically controlled at export; the crop module itself is for choosing the framing and aspect ratio.
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