Cropping Profile Images Using the MDL Template (Photopea Guide)

1.Step 1: Open Photopea
2.Step 2: Open the Template
3.Step 3: Add the Actor Photo
4.Step 4: Position the Image
5.Step 5: Move the Template Above the Photo
6.Step 6: Enable Free Transform
7.Step 7: Resize the Image
8.Step 8: Straighten the Image if Necessary
9.Step 9: Select the Crop Tool
10.Step 10: Set Crop Ratio
11.Step 11: Create the Final Crop
12.Step 12: Apply the Crop
13.Step 13: Export the Image
14.Final Checklist

This guide explains how to use the MDL Profile Photo Template in Photopea to crop and position profile photos according to MDL's profile photo standards.

The template helps ensure that profile photos are:

Consistently sized and cropped.
Properly centered.
Aligned using the recommended eye placement guide.
Framed with balanced spacing around the head and face.

Before starting, download the MDL Profile Photo Template and prepare the image you wish to crop.

Requirements

Photopea (recommended)
MDL Profile Photo Template (.png)
The profile photo you wish to crop

Follow the steps below to create a correctly formatted profile photo ready for upload.

Note: The template is intended as a guide, not a strict rule. Minor adjustments may be necessary for different hairstyles, headwear, image angles, or unusually cropped source photos.

Step 1: Open Photopea

Open your preferred browser and type in this address - https://www.photopea.com - in the URL search bar. This is the page you should be seeing when you open the site.

Step 2: Open the Template

Open the MDL Profile Photo Template file. Select: File → Open The template contains: Final crop dimensions Eye placement guide Top spacing guide Bottom spacing guide

Step 3: Add the Actor Photo

Select: File → Open & Place This inserts the actor photo as a separate layer.

Step 4: Position the Image

The image will appear above the template.

Step 5: Move the Template Above the Photo

In the Layers panel: Drag the actor image layer below the Template (Background) photo layer. This allows the guide lines to remain visible while positioning the image. Make sure the actor image layer is selected from this point on, so you can complete all the following steps.

Step 6: Enable Free Transform

Select: Edit → Free Transform You can now resize and reposition the photo. Shortcut: Alt + Ctrl + T or Option + Cmd + T

Step 7: Resize the Image

Scale the image until: The eyes align with the eye guide. The top of the head sits near the upper spacing guide. The chin sits near the lower spacing guide.

Step 8: Straighten the Image if Necessary

If the image is tilted: Rotate it slightly. Ensure the eyes remain level. Only use small adjustments.

Step 9: Select the Crop Tool

Choose the Crop Tool from the toolbar.

Step 10: Set Crop Ratio

Change Crop Mode to: Fixed Ratio Enter: Width: 300 Height: 360

Step 11: Create the Final Crop

Adjust the crop box so it matches the template dimensions and framing. Ensure: Eyes remain within the eye area. Head spacing remains consistent. Face remains centered.

Step 12: Apply the Crop

Press: ✓ Confirm The image is now cropped to the correct ratio. In the Layers panel: Click the little eye icon next to the Template (Background) layer to hide the layer. This will remove the guide lines so you can safely proceed to saving the cropped image in the next step.

Step 13: Export the Image

Select: File → Export As → PNG Save the completed profile photo.

Final Checklist

Before uploading:

✓ Image ratio is 300 × 360
✓ Face is centered
✓ Eyes align with the eye guide
✓ Head spacing is balanced
✓ Image is not tilted
✓ No important facial features are cropped

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