Sometimes, you may need to highlight a specific part or text in an image. You can easily add arrows to photos using the default Preview app on your Mac. You can also use third-party apps to get the job done. Here are the best ways to add arrows to photos on Mac.
Instead of going back and forth in a conversation, add an arrow and highlight the relevant sections you want to discuss. You don’t need specialized photo editing software like Adobe Photoshop or Pixelmator Pro. This functionality is built right into the Preview app on your Mac. Check out our post if the Preview app isn’t working on Mac.
1. Add arrows to photos using the preview app
The Preview app on Mac isn’t just limited to opening photos. It comes with several annotation tools for making changes. Here’s how you can add arrows to a photo using the Preview app on your Mac.
Step 1: Open Finder on Mac.
Step 2: Browse to the folder containing the image you want to edit. Right-click the image and select Open.
macOS will launch the Preview app with the selected photo.
Step 3: Click the pencil icon at the top.
Step 4: Expand the Shapes menu and select Arrow.
Step 5: You can drag and drop the arrow on the image.
Step 6: Click the stroke menu to adjust the thickness of the arrow, add shadows, change direction and style. Next to it is the color menu and you can click on it to adjust the arrow shadow.
Step 7: You can use the blue dot (between the blue dots) on the arrow to bend the arrow up or down.
In addition to adding arrows, you can insert signatures, add text, crop images, and add other shapes to your photos. Preview automatically saves all your changes. You can press the x to close the app and check your edited photo in the same place.
The Preview app has some drawbacks. It’s not quite as useful in batch editing and lacks a keyboard shortcut to access the shape tools quickly. This is where third-party alternatives come into play. One such app is CleanShot X. Check it out.
2. Add arrows to photos with CleanShot X on Mac
CleanShot X is one of the best annotation apps on the Mac. The app costs $29 (one-time payment). You can add some shapes, use keyboard shortcuts to make quick changes, blur secret information, and even add backgrounds to enhance your boring photos or screenshots.
Step 1: Download and install the CleanShot X app from the official website.
Step 2: Launch Finder on Mac.
Step 3: Browse to the folder containing the photos. Select a photo and right-click it to select Open With and select CleanShot X from the submenu.
Step 4: Press the A key or press the Arrow icon on the toolbar.
Step 5: Draw an arrow on the image with the mouse or trackpad. You can change the arrow’s style, color, and stroke from the top toolbar. Press Command + S to save the image.
CleanShot X runs in the background and can easily replace your Mac’s default screenshot function. If you shoot and edit a lot of photos in your workflow, we highly recommend giving it a try.
3. Add Arrows to Photos with NexSnap
NexSnap is another capable screenshot editor on Mac. It has many features with beautiful backgrounds, simulation tools, photo filters, effects, etc. This application is also available on Windows, Android and iPhone. If you frequently switch between Mac and Windows, NexSnap is worth considering to get the job done.
Step 1: Download and install NexSnap from the Mac App Store.
Step 2: Launch NexSnap and sign in with your Apple or Google account details. Import images or drag and drop images from the Finder menu.
Step 3: Select Annotate at the bottom. Click Shape.
Step 4: Select the Arrow icon, choose a suitable color and adjust the recoil. Draw an arrow on an image.
Step 5: Tap the share icon at the top and export it.
Some features are locked after registration. You can always try it for free for 7 days before committing to NexSnap Pro.
Should you use online tools to add arrows to photos
There aren’t many online tools that are capable of adding arrows to photos on a Mac. However, they do not provide a native experience and you should not upload secret photos to random websites for editing.
Edit photos on Mac
WhatsApp and Telegram also provide built-in editing tools to add arrow stickers to images. While you can use them, Preview is definitely a good choice. What app do you use to add arrows to photos on Mac? Share your preferences with others in the comments below.
Categories: How to
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