how to specify crop box dimensions?

I have been asked to make some postcards for a non-profit organization
from some of my photographs of their beautiful property. I have a
Photoshop template for, in this case, a 4x6 postcard. The photo must
be cropped to 4.25"x6.25" to allow for bleed and trim.

the question: I know that I can use the crop tool and "view rulers" to
try to get 4.25x6.25 dimensions, and then move the crop box outline
within my photo to select the 4.25x6.25 that most pleases me and
minimizes the risk of having essential details from possibly being
trimmed away, but I find it difficult to get it exactly right with the
cursor control. Is there an easier way? to perhaps type in the
dimensions into a dialogue box to get the exact dimensions I want for
the crop box outline?

Thanks
Jeff

Hi Jeff ; Just select the crop tool , put in the width & height you need
at the top tool bar, and crop. The area outside the area you want to keep
will go a darker grey so it is very easy to see what you will end up with .
Craig Flory

"Jeff" <jtzachm@us.ibm.com> wrote in message
news:855b3680.0307301037.d762520@posting.google.co m...
> I have been asked to make some postcards for a non-profit organization
> from some of my photographs of their beautiful property. I have a
> Photoshop template for, in this case, a 4x6 postcard. The photo must
> be cropped to 4.25"x6.25" to allow for bleed and trim.
>
> the question: I know that I can use the crop tool and "view rulers" to
> try to get 4.25x6.25 dimensions, and then move the crop box outline
> within my photo to select the 4.25x6.25 that most pleases me and
> minimizes the risk of having essential details from possibly being
> trimmed away, but I find it difficult to get it exactly right with the
> cursor control. Is there an easier way? to perhaps type in the
> dimensions into a dialogue box to get the exact dimensions I want for
> the crop box outline?
>
> Thanks
> Jeff

"Craig Flory" <floryphotog@mindspring.com> wrote in message news:<bg9gts$7ke$1@slb0.atl.mindspring.net>...
> Hi Jeff ; Just select the crop tool , put in the width & height you need
> at the top tool bar, and crop. The area outside the area you want to keep
> will go a darker grey so it is very easy to see what you will end up with .
> Craig Flory



Duh?!? I don't know why I didn't see those boxes on the upper tool box before...

Thanks Craig
>
> "Jeff" <jtzachm@us.ibm.com> wrote in message
> news:855b3680.0307301037.d762520@posting.google.co m...
> > I have been asked to make some postcards for a non-profit organization
> > from some of my photographs of their beautiful property. I have a
> > Photoshop template for, in this case, a 4x6 postcard. The photo must
> > be cropped to 4.25"x6.25" to allow for bleed and trim.
> >
> > the question: I know that I can use the crop tool and "view rulers" to
> > try to get 4.25x6.25 dimensions, and then move the crop box outline
> > within my photo to select the 4.25x6.25 that most pleases me and
> > minimizes the risk of having essential details from possibly being
> > trimmed away, but I find it difficult to get it exactly right with the
> > cursor control. Is there an easier way? to perhaps type in the
> > dimensions into a dialogue box to get the exact dimensions I want for
> > the crop box outline?
> >
> > Thanks
> > Jeff

Well I guess this has been beat to death, but here's what I do. Select
rectangular marquee, at the top tool bar select "fixed aspect ratio. you can
move the rectangular selection around with the mouse or cursor keys then do
image-crop. You will have to do an image-image size next to get the 6.25 x
4.25 you want. I know this sounds like a lot of unnessaccary work but it has
its advantages. For (1) you get to include more of the picture this way.
Paul
--
"When I die, I want to go peacefully in my sleep like Grandpa did,
not screaming like the passengers in his car."

"ben-dover" <http://www.gilligan@theisle> wrote in message
news:eW9Wa.81791$0v4.5454565@bgtnsc04-news.ops.worldnet.att.net...
> or go to image, image size, and tell it what size you want the image.
> "Jeff" <jtzachm@us.ibm.com> wrote in message
> news:855b3680.0307301037.d762520@posting.google.co m...
> > I have been asked to make some postcards for a non-profit organization
> > from some of my photographs of their beautiful property. I have a
> > Photoshop template for, in this case, a 4x6 postcard. The photo must
> > be cropped to 4.25"x6.25" to allow for bleed and trim.
> >
> > the question: I know that I can use the crop tool and "view rulers" to
> > try to get 4.25x6.25 dimensions, and then move the crop box outline
> > within my photo to select the 4.25x6.25 that most pleases me and
> > minimizes the risk of having essential details from possibly being
> > trimmed away, but I find it difficult to get it exactly right with the
> > cursor control. Is there an easier way? to perhaps type in the
> > dimensions into a dialogue box to get the exact dimensions I want for
> > the crop box outline?
> >
> > Thanks
> > Jeff
>
>