Users can crop the linked or embedded image in Illustrator . When cropping, you can use intuitive widget controls to process the selected image. The "Image Crop" function is only valid for the currently selected image. In addition, the linked image will become an embedded image after cropping.
Crop image
note:
The cropped part of the image will be discarded and cannot be restored.
When cropping an image, you cannot transform the image. After selecting the "Crop Image" option, if you try to transform the image, Illustrator will exit the crop interface.
To crop the image, do the following:
1. Choose File> Place, and then select the image you want to place. Click Place.
2. Use the selection tool ( 
) to select the image to be cropped.
Note: When selecting the crop image option, Illustrator will call the "Selection" tool by default. If any other tools are active, Illustrator will automatically switch to the "Select" tool.
3. To crop the selected image, perform one of the following operations:
Click Crop Image in the "Control" panel.
Choose Object> Crop Image.
Choose Crop Image from the context menu.
Note: When two or more objects are selected, the crop image option cannot be selected.
4. If you are dealing with a linked image, Illustrator will prompt you that the linked file will be embedded after cropping. Click OK to continue.
5. If you are dealing with a linked image, Illustrator will prompt you that the linked file will be embedded after cropping. Click OK to continue.
6. (Optional) Use the Control panel to specify cropping options.
7. Do one of the following:
Click Apply in the Control panel.
Press Return (Mac OS).
adjust size
Scale the crop widget proportionally
Scale the crop widget around the center
To adjust the size of the crop widget, do one of the following:
Specify the height and width in the Control panel.
Drag the corner handle.
Press Shift to scale the widget proportionally.
Press Alt to zoom the widget around the center.
Use pinch to zoom gestures on touch screen devices.
Note: The Illustrator "touch" workspace for Windows tablets does not support cropping.
re-locate
To reposition the cropping component, do one of the following:
Click and drag anywhere within the boundary of the clipping component.
Press the arrow keys to move the crop widget.
Press Shift + arrow keys to move the widget ten units (default) or by the amount specified in the preferences.
To accurately reposition the clipping component, use guides and grids. Smart guides can help you align cropping components with other objects. Choose View> Smart Guides to enable Smart Guides.
Cropping options
When cropping an image, you can specify the following options from the Control panel:
Crop options available in the Control panel
A. Resolution (in pixels per inch) B. Reference position C. X and Y coordinates D. Width E. Constraint width and height ratio F. Height
PPI selects the resolution of the cropped image from the available options. Or, specify the resolution in pixels per inch (ppi). If the image resolution is lower than the available options in the drop-down list, the options will be disabled. The maximum value you can enter is equal to the resolution of the original image or 300 PPI (for linked artwork).
All transformations of the reference point are performed around a fixed point called the reference point. By default, this point is located at the center of the clipping component you are transforming. However, you can use the reference point locator in the Control panel to change the reference point to another location.
X and Y dimensions select the coordinate value of the reference point.
The height and width specify the size of the crop widget. If the width field and height field are linked, they will maintain their proportions when they are changed. Click the link icon ( 
) to cancel the link width and height and modify the two values separately.