How to Create Circular Pictures

Have you ever wanted to add a circular frame to your digital photos? It’s an easy way to give your images a unique look and draw attention to the subject in the center. Whether you want to create a circular profile picture for your social media accounts or simply add a fun border to your photos, making a picture circular is a simple and straightforward process.

There are several ways to create a circular frame around your pictures. Some photo editing software such as Adobe Photoshop and GIMP offer this feature as a built-in function. However, if you don’t have access to these tools or find them too complicated, there are also simpler methods that involve using online tools and apps. In this article, we will explore some easy ways to make your pictures circular and help you achieve that perfect circular frame for your photos.

Section 1: Understanding Circular Images

What is a Circular Image?

A circular image is a type of image that has a circular shape. Unlike traditional rectangular-shaped images, circular images can add a touch of creativity and uniqueness to your designs. They are especially useful when you want to draw attention to a specific part of an image or when you want to create a visually appealing graphic design.

Why Use Circular Images?

Circular images can be used for a variety of reasons. First, they provide a unique look that can help to draw attention to your content. Second, circular images can be used to soften harsh angles and create a more pleasing visual experience for your audience. Finally, circular images can be used to highlight specific areas of an image, making it more impactful.

Where to Use Circular Images?

Circular images can be used in a variety of contexts. They are especially useful in graphic design projects, such as posters, logos, and social media graphics. Circular images are also commonly used in web design, such as website icons, profile pictures, and navigation menus.

Section 2: Creating a Circular Image in Photoshop

Step-by-Step Guide to Creating a Circular Image in Photoshop

Creating a circular image in Photoshop is a straightforward process. Follow these simple steps to create a circular image:

Step 1: Open Your Image

The first step to creating a circular image in Photoshop is to open your image in the software.

Step 2: Select the Elliptical Marquee Tool

Next, select the Elliptical Marquee tool from the toolbar on the left-hand side of the screen.

Step 3: Draw a Circle

Use the Elliptical Marquee tool to draw a circle around the area of your image that you want to make circular.

Step 4: Delete the Background

With the circle still selected, go to the Edit menu and choose Cut. This will remove the background from your image and leave you with a circular image.

Step 5: Save Your Circular Image

Finally, save your new circular image by going to the File menu and choosing Save As.

Alternatives to Photoshop

If you don’t have access to Photoshop, there are other programs you can use to create circular images. For example, Canva and GIMP both offer the ability to create circular images.

Section 3: Creating a Circular Image in Canva

Step-by-Step Guide to Creating a Circular Image in Canva

Canva is a popular graphic design tool that offers a simple way to create circular images. Here’s how to create a circular image in Canva:

Step 1: Create a New Design

In Canva, create a new design by clicking the Create a design button.

Step 2: Select a Template

Choose a template that includes a circular shape or select a blank template.

Step 3: Add Your Image

Upload your image to Canva and add it to your design.

Step 4: Crop Your Image

Use the crop tool to crop your image to a circular shape.

Step 5: Save Your Circular Image

Finally, save your new circular image by clicking the Download button.

Creating a Circular Image in GIMP

GIMP is a free alternative to Photoshop that offers many of the same features, including the ability to create circular images. Here’s how to create a circular image in GIMP:

Step 1: Open Your Image

Open your image in GIMP.

Step 2: Select the Ellipse Select Tool

Select the Ellipse Select tool from the toolbar on the left-hand side of the screen.

Step 3: Draw a Circle

Use the Ellipse Select tool to draw a circle around the area of your image that you want to make circular.

Step 4: Crop Your Image

With the circle still selected, go to the Image menu and choose Crop to Selection. This will remove the background from your image and leave you with a circular image.

Step 5: Save Your Circular Image

Finally, save your new circular image by going to the File menu and choosing Save As.

Methods for Making a Picture Circular

As promised, this section of the article will outline the different methods for making a picture circular. While there are several ways to achieve this effect, we will focus on the three most popular ones: using Photoshop, using an online tool, and using CSS.

Using Photoshop

Photoshop is one of the most popular image editing tools, and it offers a range of features that allow you to create different effects on your pictures. Here’s a step-by-step tutorial on how to make a picture circular using Photoshop:

Step 1: Open your image in Photoshop and select the Elliptical Marquee Tool from the toolbar.

Step 2: Holding down the shift key, select a circle shape on your image.

Step 3: Go to the Edit menu and select Copy.

Step 4: Next, go to the File menu and select New. A new window will open with the dimensions of the circle you copied.

Step 5: Paste the copied circle onto the new image.

Step 6: Finally, save your new image as a .png file to maintain the transparency of the circle.

Using an Online Tool

If you don’t have Photoshop or prefer not to install a software program, you can use a free online tool like Canva or LunaPic to make a circle image.

Step 1: Open LunaPic in your browser and upload your image.

Step 2: Select the Crop Circle tool from the toolbar on the left.

Step 3: Adjust the size and placement of the circle on your image.

Step 4: Save your newly created circle image to your computer.

Using CSS

If you want to make a circle image on your website, you can use CSS to achieve this effect. Here’s how:

Step 1: Add the following CSS code to your website’s style sheet.

“`
img {
border-radius: 50%;
}
“`

Step 2: Apply the CSS code to the img tag that holds the image you want to make circular.

Step 3: Refresh your website and see the circular image appear!

Conclusion

There you have it: three different methods for making a picture circular. Whether you prefer using Photoshop, an online tool, or CSS, making a circle image is a fun and easy way to add visual interest to your photos. Try each of the above methods and see which one you like best!

Tools for Making a Picture Circular

Now that we have discussed why making pictures circular is a trend and how to do it, it’s time to explore the tools that can be used to achieve circular images. Here are five popular tools you can use to make a picture circular, along with their advantages and disadvantages:

Photoshop

Photoshop, from Adobe, is considered the standard tool for professional designers. You can make any image circular in Photoshop, no matter how complicated or simple. The process involves drawing a circle over the image and using the “Layer Mask” option to remove the background. However, Photoshop is expensive and may not be accessible to all users. Furthermore, it requires you to possess some basic knowledge of graphic design and image editing.

Canva

If you don’t have Photoshop or don’t want to invest in it, there are other alternatives to consider. Canva, for instance, is a graphic design tool that allows you to create circular designs quickly and easily. It has a simple drag-and-drop interface, and their templates are pre-sized to fit most social media platforms. However, while Canva offers a free version, it does not offer full access to all its features without a subscription.

GIMP

GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program) is a free and open-source image editor that can be used to make pictures circular. While GIMP may not have the same extensive features as Photoshop, it does provide users with an opportunity to perform editing tasks that other free programs may lack. However, GIMP has a steep learning curve that may not be user-friendly to beginners.

Online Converters

Online converters such as Picture to People & Clipping Magic can be a quick and easy way to make a picture circular. These converters use algorithms that detect edges and outlines and can separate an image from its background. A couple of clicks and voila, you have a circular image. However, these tools provide less control over the outcome, making them better suited for simple images.

Microsoft Paint

If you are looking for a straightforward and free image editing tool, Microsoft Paint may be the right tool for you. Its simplicity means that you don’t need any expertise to make a picture circular. However, the program is limited in the customization options it provides, making it an excellent choice if you just want to make a quick edit.

No matter the tool you choose, remember that the final result should be an excellent representation of your brand and purpose.

Say Cheese: Enjoy Your Circular Snapshots!

Now that we’ve shown you how to make a picture circular, it’s time to give it a try and show off your unique and eye-catching photos. Remember, practice makes perfect, so don’t be afraid to experiment and have some fun with your images. Thanks for reading, and be sure to visit us again for more tips and tricks to bring your photos to life!