Magnifier
Find the magnifier in the Arrow submenu, enlarge image details, move the enlarged view, adjust magnification and links, and include or exclude annotations.
When text, chart nodes, or interface details are too small in a screenshot, use the magnifier to enlarge a detail and place it beside the original. The image retains context, the enlarged view shows details, and a link indicates the corresponding location.
Find the magnifier in the submenu
In the default layout, “Magnifier” is in the “Arrow” submenu. Click the small angled arrow to the right of the arrow tool to see “Arrow,” “Broken line,” and “Magnifier.”
For a screenshot, select an area first. On an image pin, press SpaceSpace to show the annotation toolbar. Expand that menu and click “Magnifier.” The group button changes to the magnifier icon, and the style bar appears below.
You can also select it directly with the default shortcut Shift+=⇧ Shift+=: hold Shift and press the equals key.
Its position changes if you customize the toolbar layout. For frequent use, click “Adjust” at the bottom right of the menu to move it to the top level. See Manage button order and levels.
Select a detail and move the enlarged view aside
The magnifier defaults to an ellipse at 1.5× magnification. You can first choose rectangle or ellipse in the style bar, then set “Magnification.”
Hold the left mouse button over the detail and drag out an area. This original area is the magnifier's sample area.
Release the mouse. The enlarged view covers the sample area, with their centers aligned.
Drag the enlarged view into nearby empty space, avoiding the sample frame's control points. With the default line link, moving it aside reveals a line pointing to the original location.
- 1. Select a detailDrag with the left button to set the sample area.
- 2. Release to enlargeThe enlarged view first covers its original position.
- 3. Move it asideThe source stays; the line shows its location.
It is normal to see no link immediately after drawing: the enlarged view covers the sample area. Move the two areas apart to see their relationship clearly.
Adjust magnification, sample area, and position
Keep “Magnifier” selected and click an existing magnifier to edit it. If you cannot select it, set “Mark secondary editing” to “Enable.”
| Goal | Action |
|---|---|
| Make the same detail larger | Adjust “Magnification” from 1.0× to 8.0× in the style bar, or scroll over the enlarged view in steps of 0.1× |
| Include more surrounding content | Drag control points at the original sample frame's edges to expand it; the enlarged view grows at the current magnification |
| Show a different detail | Drag the original sample area; its content changes, and the enlarged view moves with it |
| Move only the enlarged view | Drag the enlarged view away from the sample frame; the sample area stays in place |
The enlarged view has no draggable resizing corners. Change its size with magnification or the sample area.
Link the detail to its source
The “Link Type” dropdown in the style bar uses icons for its options. Move the enlarged view outside the sample area to compare four effects:
- LineDefault: connects from the sample center.
- Dot LineA solid dot emphasizes the sample center.
- ShapeOutlines the source and connects the two frames.
- HideRemoves the link, keeps the enlarged view.
“Dot Line” adds a dot at the sample center and connects it to the enlarged view with a solid line. “Shape” also outlines the original sample area, useful for showing the entire area being enlarged.
“Hide” keeps the enlarged view's border. The sample's dashed outline and control points are editing aids and disappear when you deselect.
Set the shape and enlarged content
Select a magnifier to change these options directly in the style bar:
| Option | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Rectangle / Ellipse | Changes the shape of both the sample and enlarged view; hover over the rectangle button to adjust rounded corners in its popup |
| Pencil and color | Adjusts the width and color of the border, link, and sample marker |
| Erase Mark | On by default, showing only the original image; uncheck to include annotations within the sample area below this magnifier, such as an arrow drawn earlier |
| Anti-Alias | On by default for smooth display; turn off to see the original image's pixel edges more clearly |
| Shadow | Adds a shadow outside the enlarged view; off by default |
“Erase Mark” only controls whether the enlarged view includes annotations; it does not delete annotations from the original image. Uncheck it to enlarge an earlier arrow or text along with the image.
Undo, delete, and continue annotating
Press EscEsc to deselect, then draw the next magnifier. To delete one, select it and press DeleteBackspace.
Press Ctrl+Z⌘ Command+Z to undo an incorrect drawing, move, or adjustment. See Annotation basics for redo, duplication, and other general operations.
Related articles
Broken lines
Find broken lines in the Arrow submenu, plot routes point by point, choose curves, waves, fills, and endpoint markers, and edit nodes or move the whole line.
Watermark
Find watermarks in the Text submenu, enter text or time, choose tiled or fixed positions, style the text, and enable automatic watermarking for screenshots.