Crop an icon, shape, or object

📝 Note: This article reflects the new, updated BioRender canvas. For guidance on the older, Classic canvas, check out this article. 

The crop tool lets you trim icons, shapes, or grouped objects to focus on specific areas or remove unnecessary parts. Cropping is especially useful when creating macro-to-micro visuals or simplifying complex illustrations. You can crop using square, circle, polygon, rounded elbow or custom shapes- and cropping is fully reversible.

Crop types available in BioRender

You can crop objects using three crop types:

• Square crop (default)
• Circle crop
• Custom shape crop
• Polygon
• Reset and cropped object

All crop types allow you to:

• Resize using a bounding box
• Reset your crop at any time
• Edit the cropped region later

How to use the square crop tool

The square crop is the default cropping method.

To crop using a square shape:

1. Select the icon, shape, or object you want to crop.
2. Click the Crop option in the quick edit bar, then select Crop shape, then Square crop.
3. Drag the blue square handles to adjust the crop area.
4. Press Enter or click outside the object to apply the crop.

To reset or edit:

• Click Reset Crop to undo the crop.
• Double-click the icon or click Edit Crop to make adjustments.

How to use the circle crop tool

The circle crop allows you to crop in a rounded shape.

To apply a circular crop:

1. Select the object you’d like to crop.
2. Click the Crop option in the top panel, then select Crop shape, then Circle Crop.
3. Adjust the crop using the blue circular bounding box.
4. Press Enter or click outside the object to apply the crop.

To reset or edit:

• Click Reset Crop to undo the crop.
• Double-click the icon or click Edit Crop to modify the crop.

How to use the custom crop tool

The custom crop allows freeform cropping using a customizable path.

To apply a custom crop:

1. Select the object to crop.
2. Click the Crop option in the top panel, then select Crop shape, then Circle Blob.
3. Adjust the crop shape by dragging points along the bounding path.
4. Double-click a node to delete it.
5. Press Enter or click outside the object to confirm the crop.

To reset or edit:

• Click Reset Crop to revert to the original size.
• Double-click the object or select Edit Crop to adjust the shape.

How to use the Polygon crop tool

The polygon crop creates straight-edged crops with precision.

To crop using a polygon shape:

1. Select the icon, shape, or object you want to crop.
2. Click the Crop option in the top panel, then select Crop shape, then Custom Polygon.
3. Drag the blue polygon handles to adjust the crop area.
4. Press Enter or click outside the object to apply the crop.

To reset or edit:

• Click Reset Crop to undo the crop.
• Double-click the icon or click Edit Crop to make adjustments.

How to reset a cropped object

You can undo any crop and return the object to its original size.

To reset a crop:

1. Select the cropped object.
2. Click Reset Crop from the top menu.
3. The object will revert to its original size and shape.

What's next

🎥 Watch: Webinar – Design Tips for Posters. Learn practical layout tips you can apply to your poster. Watch now on Learning Hub ↗

Need help?

1. Email: support@biorender.com
2. Live Chat: Available by clicking on the "Help" bubble in the app on the bottom right-hand corner.