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lil cactus

Photo editing tutorials

Each guide comes with the photo it uses: open it in the editor and do the steps as you read.

Tools and workspace

Open, save and recover your work, find tools, and control the editor.

How to use Lil Cactus: your first photo editYour first edit, from opening a photo to saving the result.Beginner · 5 minHow to save and export an image in Lil CactusKeep an editable master and make a separate image to share.Beginner · 5 minHow to recover unsaved work in Lil CactusRestore a browser recovery copy and save an editable project.Beginner · 4 minHow to paint with the Brush toolPaint on a layer, control the tip and save a brush preset.Beginner · 6 minHow to record actions and batch edit photosRecord a reusable edit, then apply it to a set of photos.Intermediate · 6 minHow to use Eraser and Background EraserErase by hand or target a background color, while keeping a copy.Beginner · 6 minLil Cactus keyboard shortcuts for Windows and MacLook up commands, learn tool letters and change your shortcuts.Beginner · 6 minHow to zoom, pan and rotate the view in Lil CactusInspect details, move around a large photo and reset the view.Beginner · 5 minHow to undo edits and use History Brush in Lil CactusUndo edits, revisit states and repair an area with History Brush.Beginner · 6 min

Cut-outs and backgrounds

Remove backgrounds and make transparent images.

How to remove the background from a photoSelect Subject, a layer mask and a transparent PNG.Beginner · 3 minHow to change the background of a photoPut a cut-out on a new background and match the light and color.Beginner · 8 minHow to make a signature or logo background transparentLift a signature or logo off white or paper.Beginner · 3 minHow to use the Pen tool to cut out an objectPrecise, smooth outlines for cut-outs, selections and shapes.Intermediate · 8 minHow to replace the sky in a photoPut a new sky behind a landscape without erasing the original.Intermediate · 8 min

Resize and convert

Exact sizes for web, social and print, and every common format.

How to resize an image online to exact pixels or print sizeExact pixels, percent or print size, without stretching.Beginner · 2 minHow to convert HEIC, WebP and PNG to JPG onlineConvert HEIC, WebP or PNG to JPG, or choose another image format.Beginner · 2 minHow to compress an image to 100 KB or 200 KBLower the file size, check the detail, and fit an upload limit.Beginner · 3 minHow to crop an imageChoose what stays in the frame, then set the shape and size.Beginner · 6 minHow to upscale an image without it turning blockyA bigger image that stays as crisp as resampling allows.Beginner · 4 minHow to make a passport photo at homeAn exact 35 × 45 mm photo and a sheet of eight to print.Intermediate · 8 minHow to crop a photo into a circleA round picture with transparent corners, ready to upload.Beginner · 4 minHow to flip, rotate or straighten an imageMirror a photo, correct its orientation or level the horizon.Beginner · 4 minHow to convert SVG to PNGExport a transparent PNG from an SVG at the pixel size you need.Beginner · 4 minHow to convert a JPG or PNG image to PDFPut a photo on a PDF page and choose how large that page is.Beginner · 3 minHow to create a favicon ICO fileMake one ICO file containing six square icon sizes.Beginner · 4 min

Retouch and repair

Remove objects and blemishes, fix red eye and restore old photos.

How to blur the background of a photoA camera-like background blur with no glow around the subject.Intermediate · 6 minHow to blur or pixelate faces in a photoFaces and plates hidden before a photo goes online.Beginner · 5 minHow to remove an object from a photo onlineOutline the object and let the editor fill in what was behind it.Beginner · 6 minHow to sharpen a photo without halosSmart Sharpen at 100%, without halos or crunchy grain.Intermediate · 6 minHow to reduce noise in a photoClean up grain and color speckles from night and high-ISO shots.Intermediate · 6 minHow to fix perspective and straighten buildings in a photoStraighten leaning buildings and get a square-on facade.Intermediate · 5 minHow to retouch skin with frequency separationEven out skin tone and remove blemishes while keeping texture.Advanced · 12 minHow to dodge and burn a photo without damaging itPaint light and shadow onto a separate Soft Light layer.Intermediate · 6 minHow to use Liquify to tidy hair and reshape small detailsPush small details into place without warping what is next to them.Intermediate · 6 minHow to change a photo’s aspect ratio without stretching peopleWiden the background, keep the person exactly as they were.Intermediate · 6 minHow to remove red eye from a photoTarget red pupils without painting over the whole eye.Beginner · 3 minHow to use Clone Stamp and Healing BrushCompare three retouching tools, then clean up a portrait’s raised blemishes.Beginner · 10 minHow to whiten teeth in a photoReduce yellow selectively while keeping natural tooth shading.Beginner · 8 minHow to restore an old photoClear a scan’s yellow cast, restore contrast and repair small marks.Intermediate · 8 min

Color and tone

Black and white, color grading, exposure and contrast.

How to make a photo black and whiteChoose how light each color turns, so the photo doesn’t go flat.Beginner · 5 minHow to use Curves to fix contrast and colorRead the graph, build an S-curve and shift color by channel.Intermediate · 8 minHow to use Levels to set black and white pointsBlack point, white point and midtones from the histogram.Beginner · 5 minHow to fix a dark or backlit photoLift shadows and faces without washing out the window.Beginner · 5 minHow to fix a photo with the wrong color profileFix a known wrong profile and save a correctly tagged photo.Intermediate · 6 minHow to change one colour in an imageChange a chosen color while keeping the rest of the photo.Beginner · 5 minHow to pick and save colorsChoose exact colors, sample a photo and keep named swatches.Beginner · 5 minHow to invert colors in an imageFlip light, dark and color for a negative effect.Beginner · 3 minHow to color grade a photoShape contrast, then add cool shadows and warm light.Intermediate · 7 minHow to turn a photo into a pencil sketchTurn a photo’s edges and texture into pencil-style lines.Beginner · 7 minHow to make a duotone photoRecolor dark and light tones with a two-color gradient.Beginner · 5 minHow to make pop art from a photoMake flat color bands or a stark black-and-white print.Beginner · 5 minHow to give a photo a vintage film lookCombine grain, faded shadows and warm highlights.Intermediate · 8 minHow to add glow and light effects to a photoSpread light from highlights or brighten a chosen part of a photo.Intermediate · 6 min

Text and design

Thumbnails, posters and social posts with text, shapes and layer styles.

How to make a YouTube thumbnailA cut-out, a two-line headline and an outline at 1280 × 720.Beginner · 8 minHow to draw shapes and export vector graphics (SVG)Editable shapes for icons, badges and buttons, exported as SVG.Beginner · 6 minHow to make curved, gradient text with a shadowHeadline text on a curve, with a gradient fill and a shadow that stay editable.Intermediate · 7 minHow to design several sizes in one file with artboardsSeveral canvases in one document, exported as separate files.Intermediate · 6 minHow to add text to a photoA headline and a second line on a photo, still editable later.Beginner · 5 minHow to change text in an imageReplace flattened text and match the new lettering to the design.Beginner · 6 minHow to create data-driven graphics from a CSVOne layered template, a table of text and a separate design for every row.Intermediate · 7 minHow to combine two images into onePut photos side by side or overlap them on separate layers.Beginner · 5 minHow to add a watermark to a photoAdd a soft text mark or place a transparent logo.Beginner · 6 minHow to use the Gradient toolBlend colors or transparency with a drawn gradient or a fill layer.Beginner · 8 minHow to use Paint Bucket, Fill and StrokeRecolor flat areas, fill selections and draw a thin outline.Beginner · 8 minHow to add a border to an imageAdd space for a frame, or put a stroke inside the photo.Beginner · 5 minHow to size a photo for InstagramKeep a whole photo or crop it to fill a post or Story.Beginner · 6 minHow to create a mockup from a photoFit artwork into a frame photo and replace the design later.Intermediate · 6 minHow to pixelate an imageSquare mosaic blocks across a photo or inside a selection.Beginner · 4 minHow to make pixel artDraw on a tiny canvas, then enlarge it with crisp pixel blocks.Beginner · 10 minHow to use guides, grid and snapping in Lil CactusPlace objects precisely and give a row of shapes equal spacing.Beginner · 7 minHow to round the corners of an imageHide a photo’s corners with an editable rounded rectangle.Beginner · 6 minHow to add a shadow to a product photoPut a soft contact shadow beneath a cut-out product.Beginner · 7 minHow to make a double exposure from two photosBlend a landscape into a portrait while keeping the face readable.Intermediate · 7 minHow to turn a photo into a paintingPaint broad shapes, then define the small structures.Intermediate · 15 min

Layers, masks and Smart Objects

The ideas every other technique is built on.

How to use layer masksHide part of a layer without deleting it, and bring it back any time.Beginner · 5 minHow to use layers in a photo editorStack, reorder, fade, hide and group the parts of a picture.Beginner · 6 minHow to open, view and edit a PSD file onlineOpen a PSD with its layers, edit the text, and save it back as a PSD.Beginner · 5 minHow to make a selection in a photo editorPick the right tool, add and subtract, feather and save a selection.Beginner · 6 minHow to use adjustment layersColor and tone changes you can retune, hide or limit to one area.Beginner · 5 minHow to put a photo inside text with a clipping maskShow a photo or texture only inside text or a shape.Beginner · 5 minHow to use Smart ObjectsResize, filter and swap a picture without ever losing its original pixels.Intermediate · 6 minHow to add a drop shadow and outline with layer stylesShadows, outlines, glows and overlays that stay editable.Beginner · 6 minBlend modes explained, with practical usesHow a layer mixes with the layers below it, and when to use each mode.Beginner · 6 minHow to save design variations with layer compsSeveral versions of one layout in one file, switched in a click.Intermediate · 5 minHow to use Channels and Quick Mask in Lil CactusPaint a selection, inspect its coverage and save it for another edit.Intermediate · 7 min

RAW and advanced photography

RAW development, HDR, focus stacking, panoramas and high-end retouching.

How to edit a RAW photoWhite balance, highlights, shadows and color from the sensor data.Intermediate · 10 minHow to merge bracketed exposures into an HDR photoThree exposures in, one photo with open shadows and recovered highlights out.Advanced · 8 minHow to stitch photos into a panorama onlineOverlapping photos in, one wide picture out, with no visible joins.Advanced · 7 minHow to focus stack photos online for front-to-back sharpnessSeveral focus distances in, one photo sharp from front to back.Advanced · 6 minHow to use a depth map to blur a backgroundUse estimated distance to keep a subject clearer than its background.Advanced · 7 min