Simplify Images
Replace text and other distracting visual elements in an image with simplified objects.
Create simplified graphics to:
- Single-source images in your content across languages, versions, or platforms.
- Keep up with continuously changing user interfaces or websites.
- Focus viewers’ attention on important areas in an image.
Note: Simplify and other tools in the Snagit Editor toolbar are available to annotate images. To draw your viewer’s attention while you record video, try Screen Draw. To enhance video you have already recorded, share your video to TechSmith Camtasia.
Automatically Simplify an Image
- Click the Simplify tool in the Snagit Editor toolbar.
Note: If the tool is not visible in the toolbar, click the More dropdown. To customize your toolbar, see Customize the Snagit Toolbar
- In the Tool Properties, enable the Auto Simplify option.
- Snagit overlays text and visual elements in the image with simplified objects. Drag the Detail slider to adjust the Auto Simplify sensitivity and generate new objects.
Note: Adjusting the Detail slider resets all Auto Simplify objects on the canvas.
- To further customize your simplified image, continue with any of the following:
Create a Custom Color Palette
Customize a color palette to add consistency across a series of simplified images or match your brand or product colors.
- In the Color Palette properties panel, click a color dropdown to change the object colors on the canvas. Repeat to set the desired colors in the palette.
- Click the
icon and select Save Palette. - In the Save Palette dialog, select one of the following:
- New: Enter a name for the new palette.
- Replace: In the dropdown, select an existing color palette to replace.
- Click Save.
Snagit adds the color palette to the dropdown in Color Palette properties.
Draw Additional Quick Style Objects
- In the Quick Styles, click to select an object.
- Click and drag to draw the object on the canvas.
- To edit the object, see Edit Simplify Objects.
Edit Simplify Objects
Resize an Object
Click to select an object on the canvas and drag the handles in or out.
Move an Object
Click to select an object on the canvas and drag the object to the desired location.
Delete an Object
Click to select an object on the canvas and press the Delete key.
Edit the Tool Properties
Click to select a simplified object on the canvas and edit the properties to customize the object.
Fill
Set the color for the selected object.
Shape
Select the shape for the selected object.
Background
Select the background color for the simplified text object.
Text Height
Drag the slider or enter a value for the text line height in the simplified text object.
Line Spacing
Drag the slider or enter a value for the space between each text line in the simplified text object.
Align (Only available when multiple objects are selected.)
Align the selected objects left, middle, or right.
Draw/Move Mode
Allows you to switch between the following modes:
- Draw: Click and drag on the canvas to add a new quick style object. Simplified objects are still movable.
- Move: Click and drag on the canvas to multi-select and move objects. Drawing new quick styles is disabled.
Lock Objects (Windows Only)
Enable this option to prevent edits to the simplified objects on the canvas when switching to other Snagit editing tools.
Show Original
As you work, Snagit maintains your original image behind the simplified objects.
- Click Show Original to reference your original image.
- Drag the Opacity slider to change the transparency level of objects on the Canvas.
Note: This tutorial is for Snagit version 2024. Previous versions may look or function differently.
- To check your version, select Help menu (Windows) or Snagit menu (Mac) > About Snagit.
- If you have a previous version of Snagit, see tutorials for previous versions or upgrade to the latest version.
- For unexpected behavior with Snagit, visit the TechSmith Help Center.
