Opening a photo

There are a few ways to open an image into Snapseed.

• On a Mac, you can drag and drop an image from the Finder or from within iPhoto.

• In Windows, you can drag and drop an image from the Explorer.

• You can click on the “Drag a photo here to get started” icon to open a File dialog

• You can use the File > Open option to open an image directly or File > Open Recent to see a list of recently opened images

• You can also use the File Open dialog to access your photos stored in iPhoto by selecting Photos from within the Media section, found near the bottom of list in the left-hand panel in the File Open dialog.

• Snapseed can be used as an External Editor in Adobe® Lightroom® for both Windows and Mac and Apple® Aperture® for Mac. Once Snapseed is set up as an external editor, navigate to the Photo menu and select Edit in > Snapseed.To enable Snapseed to be used as an external editor in Lightroom, please follow the instructions here.

To enable Snapseed to be used as an external editor in Aperture, please follow the instructions here.

Snapseed can open nearly any image type, including RAW files. However, the images must be in RGB color mode.

Adding a filter effect

After you’ve opened an image, you can start enhancing your image by selecting one of the filters from the list on the left.

Clicking on a filter will show you the special controls available for that filter. Many of the creative filters have presets that you can use to quickly enhance your images. Adjusting the sliders and controls lets you customize the effect.

When you’re done adjusting the filter, click the Apply button. To prevent your image from being enhanced by the current filter, click on the Cancel button.

Applying a second enhancement

Adding multiple filters can let you create a wide range of different possibilities. After adding an enhancement to your image and clicking Apply, select another filter from the filter list. Experiment with the order of filters for different results. Using different filters and changing the order they are applied gives you virtually infinite enhancement possibilities.

Creating Custom Presets

Adding a custom preset lets you create your own personalized effect. To add your own custom preset, first enhance your image to create the look you want to replicate on other images. Next, click on the preset navigation arrow pointing to the right found beneath the bank of presets. The built-in presets will slide over and display a bank of custom presets. Click on any of the empty preset slots to add your new custom preset. After you create your own preset, you’ll be able to use that new custom preset, just as any of the built-in presets, by clicking to apply that effect to your image.

To modify or delete a custom preset, click on the icon on the top right corner of the preset slot. You’ll see a menu of options that will let you either update the preset slot with the current settings or delete the custom preset entirely.

Zooming into your photo

While in the filter selection screen, as well as in most filters, you can zoom into your photo by clicking on the Zoom In button or by pressing the Spacebar shortcut. After clicking Zoom In, a navigator will be displayed enabling you to change the zoom ratio. You can click and drag the navigator to any of the four corners of your image. To zoom out, click on the Zoom Out button, press the Spacebar shortcut, or click on the X at the top of the navigator.

Undo/Redo

When applying a filter, you can undo or redo any of the changes. Click on the Undo or Redo buttons found at the top right of the interface (or when in Fullscreen mode, under the Edit menu).

After applying a filter, you can undo or redo the changes each filter has made to the image by clicking on the Undo button. Each click of the Undo button will revert back one change closer to the original image. The Redo button will reapply the changes one by one.

Comparing your enhancements with the original photo

To compare your enhanced photo with the original version of your photo, click and hold the Compare button while in the Filter Selection screen.

When you’re working within a filter, pressing and holding the Compare button will show your photo without the current filter applied to it.

Saving your image

After you have finished enhancing your image, you’ll probably want to save the improved photo to your computer. A Save As button can be found in the Snapseed interface, either at the top right of the interface on a Mac or beneath your image on a PC.

Mac

PC

Alternatively, you can find the Save As… option in the File menu.

When using the Save As option, a dialog will be presented letting you choose a different file name, location, file format, and the image size.

If you simply want to save your image with the same file name, location, format, and size, use the File > Save option. Be careful with this option however as it will overwrite your original file!

Exporting to iPhoto (Mac Only)

If you work with iPhoto, you can use the Export to iPhoto option found in Snapseed’s File menu to save your enhanced photo into iPhoto. After selecting the Export to iPhoto option, your photo will automatically be imported into iPhoto the next time you launch iPhoto. Your imported photos will be found in the Last Imported event within iPhoto, which you can then move into the appropriate event or album.

Printing your photo

To print your photo, click on the Print button or select Print from the File menu. The print dialog will be displayed, enabling you to select the printer, printer options, and paper size to print your image.

Mac

Windows

Fullscreen mode (Mac OS 10.7 “Lion” only)

Click on the Fullscreen button (or select Enter Fullscreen from the View menu) to enter the Fullscreen mode. While in the Fullscreen mode, the menu bar and the top toolbar are both hidden providing more area for your photo. To access the menu bar or to exit Fullscreen mode, move your mouse to the top of your screen and the menu bar will be displayed. In the displayed menu bar, you will see a button to exit Fullscreen mode at the top right of your screen.

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