Feature Request: allow users to use keyboard modifier keys to adjust cropping from center of image

[Rich_A (Rich)]

I would like the ability to adjust my cropping rectangle from the center of the crop frame like I can in Lightroom. I normally press my keyboard Option key (other programs use the Command key. e.g. Affinity Photo) and then grab a single corner and it will maintain the Aspect Ratio while shrinking the crop rectangle around the center. Other modifier keys could also allow the aspect ratio to be changed while cropping, thus providing even more control over the crop.

This is an extremely useful feature for my workflow and one I always wish was part of the DXO Photolab feature set. Manually adjusting each corner of the crop rectangle seems rather basic and could really benefin from an upgrade.

[zkarj (macOS, PLe+FP+VP, Pentax)]

I don’t use this often in Lightroom but I agree, when it’s useful, it’s very useful.

[John-M (Melbourne, Australia - Win10)]

Welcome to the DxO USER Forum, Rich.

@Rich_A

{With LR I can} grab a single corner and it will maintain the Aspect Ratio while shrinking the crop rectangle around the center

This is not a full answer to your wish, but (in case you were not aware) … note that if you hold the Shift-key down whilst move a crop-handle then PL will maintain aspect ratio.

[Sarge]

I process hundreds of sports/action photos in Lightroom per game I shoot and I’ve been trying for a year to move over to PhotoLab, but the cropping limitations are the SINGLE showstopper. I crop 99% of game images. Here are the critical cropping enhancements I need:

1. Hold Option modifier to crop from center
2. I need a keyboard shortcut to rotate the crop 90 degrees (Lr shortcut is ‘x’ while crop tool is active)
3. Option to constrain the crop to the image
4. Preference to change the default drag behavior (DPL shifts the crop frame, while Lr shifts the image below the crop frame)

Nice to have but not critical: let me choose grids other than thirds

It’s shocking that the first 3 are still missing from PhotoLab.

[Wolfgang ([ Win10, PL+VP+FP, Nik7 / 3.3 ])]

While I don’t do your kind of photography …

• #1
  by default you crop from center, e.g. 1:1
  

  
  
  .
  e.g. 16:9
  
  
  
  as long you don’t have to cut much further.

• #2
  

  

• #3
  

  
  
  (pre)set to "Auto based on keystoning / horizon

• #4
  see #3 – the crop frame is always upright

.

notes
All screenshots were taken with PL 8 Win.

I’m not familiar with the newer LR versions, but why don’t you just use what works best for you, even for ‘mass production’?