Editing images from photos (markup[?])

A Pages document, for example, is editable by nature. It can contain text, images, etc, and the document describes what is in it.

An image - like, say, jpeg - is a bitmap. The file format does not allow for elements like arrows, text or whatnot. The moment you save it, the markup is "burned" to the image. There is no record of what was changed, no vector elements you can add or change.

If that is what you want, then you should not save as an image, but use a different format.

Let me give you another example, which might help clarify:

a) Open a pdf file in Preview, use Markup to underline, put in arrows, whatever. Save it. Reopen. All is still editable.

b) Do exactly the same, still in Preview, but on a jpeg. Save it. Reopen. It is just an image, you cannot edit the arrow that you had added a minute ago.

johnreeve wrote:

Hi there,

Image saved to photos app, moved to desktop for editing with markup. Everything I add (arrows and text) seems to be locked in place once I add something else or close the doc. Can't figure out how to edit further. Backups and undo won't be a suitable solution as the doc is constantly changing several times a day.

Can anyone help or recommend a free app that's easier to use?

Pretty much useless at computers, so please keep answers very simple!

Thank you so much.

doc? I thought you were asking about a image from Photos to the Desktop...what am I missing here?

Once you save the edits and close the image—yes you would expect them to be locked in...nothing new here(?)

Maybe you can explain how is this different...

In Preview you do have local snapshots if you need to revert:

Annotate an image in Preview on Mac - Apple Support

johnreeve wrote:

How is it different? Well I wouldn't expect it from a Pages document, or Numbers. It seems like a very basic function to ask for. Maybe I'm misunderstanding your question.

There was no mention of Pages document, or Numbers in your original post...

“always the beautiful answer who asks a more beautiful question. “ e. e. cummings