Simplify Images

Replace text and other distracting visual elements in an image with simplified objects.

3d Snagit icon

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.

Before and after simplified image example

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.

  1. Click the Simplify tool in the Snagit Editor toolbar.
    Simplify tool

    Note: If the tool is not visible in the toolbar, click the More dropdown. To customize your toolbar, see Customize the Snagit Toolbar

  2. In the Tool Properties, enable the Auto Simplify option.
    Auto Simplify toggle
  3. 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.

  4. 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.

  1. 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.
    Color Palette
  2. Click the gear icon icon and select Save Palette.
  3. 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.
  4. Click Save.

Snagit adds the color palette to the dropdown in Color Palette properties.

Draw Additional Quick Style Objects

  1. In the Quick Styles, click to select an object.
    Simplify Quick Styles
  2. Click and drag to draw the object on the canvas.
  3. 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.

Tool Properties Windows Simplify properties on Mac

Fill color example

Fill
Set the color for the selected object.

Shape dropdown

Shape
Select the shape for the selected object.

Background color example

Background
Select the background color for the simplified text object.

Text height example

Text Height
Drag the slider or enter a value for the text line height in the simplified text object.

line spacing example

Line Spacing
Drag the slider or enter a value for the space between each text line in the simplified text object.

alignment example

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 and Move mode

  • 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.

  1. Click Show Original to reference your original image.
  2. 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.