Photoshop Help | Transforming objects

From an expert: Free Transform command
Apply transformations
Select an item to transform
Set or move the reference point for a transformation
Scale, rotate, skew, distort, apply perspective, or warp
Flip or rotate precisely
Repeat a transformation
Duplicate an item when transforming it
Transform freely
Warp an item
Puppet Warp
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From an expert: Free Transform command

by Richard Harrington
http://www.richardharringt...

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Transforming scales, rotates, skews, stretches, or warps an image. You can apply transformations to a selection, an entire layer, multiple layers, or a layer mask. You can also apply transformations to a path, a vector shape, a vector mask, a selection border, or an alpha channel. Transforming affects image quality when you manipulate the pixels. To apply non-destructive transformations to raster images, use Smart Objects. (See About Smart Objects.) Transforming a vector shape or path is always non-destructive because you’re only changing the mathematical calculations producing the object.

To make a transformation, first select an item to transform and then choose a transformation command. If necessary, adjust the reference point before manipulating the transformation. You can perform several manipulations in succession before applying the cumulative transformation. For example, you can choose Scale and drag a handle to scale, and then choose Distort and drag a handle to distort. Then press Enter or Return to apply both transformations.

Photoshop uses the interpolation method selected in the General area of the Preferences dialog box to calculate the color values of pixels that are added or deleted during transformations. This interpolation setting directly affects the speed and quality of the transformation. Bicubic interpolation, the default, is slowest but yields the best results.

Note:

You can also warp and distort raster images using the Liquify filter.

Transforming an image
A. Original image B. Layer flipped C. Selection border rotated D. Part of object scaled

Transform submenu commands

Scale

Enlarges or reduces an item relative to its reference point, the fixed point around which transformations are performed. You can scale horizontally, vertically, or both horizontally and vertically.

Rotate

Turns an item around a reference point. By default, this point is at the center of the object; however, you can move it to another location.

Skew

Slants an item vertically and horizontally.

Distort

Stretches an item in all directions.

Perspective

Applies one‑point perspective to an item.

Warp

Manipulates the shape of an item.

Rotate 180, Rotate 90 CW, Rotate 90 CCW

Rotates the item by the specified number of degrees, either clockwise or counterclockwise.

Flip

Flips the item vertically or horizontally.

Do one of the following:

To transform an entire layer, make the layer active, and make sure nothing is selected.

Note:

You cannot transform the background layer. To transform it, first convert it to a regular layer.

To transform part of a layer, select the layer in the Layers panel, and then select part of the image on that layer.

To transform multiple layers, do either of the following in the Layers panel: link the layers together, or select multiple layers by Ctrl-clicking (Windows) or Command-clicking (Mac OS) more than one layer. In the Layers panel, you can also Shift-click to select continguous layers. (See Selecting, grouping, and linking layers.)

To transform a layer mask or a vector mask, unlink the mask and select the mask thumbnail in the Layers panel.

To transform a path or vector shape, use the Path Selection tool to select the entire path or the Direct Selection tool to select part of the path. If you select one or more points on a path, only those path segments connected to the points are transformed. (See Select a path.)

To transform a selection border, make or load a selection. Then choose Select > Transform Selection.

To transform an alpha channel, select the channel in the Channels panel.

All transformations are performed around a fixed point called the reference point. By default, this point is at the center of the item you are transforming. However, you can change the reference point or move the center point to a different location using the reference point locator in the options bar.

Choose a transformation command. A bounding box appears in the image.

Do one of the following:

In the options bar, click a square on the reference point locator . Each square represents a point on the bounding box. For example, to move the reference point to the upper-left corner of the bounding box, click the top left square on the reference point locator.

In the transform bounding box that appears in the image, drag the reference point . The reference point can be outside the item you want to transform.

Select what you want to transform.

Choose Edit > Transform > Scale, Rotate, Skew, Distort, Perspective, or Warp.

Note:

If you are transforming a shape or entire path, the Transform menu becomes the Transform Path menu. If you are transforming multiple path segments (but not the entire path), the Transform menu becomes the Transform Points menu.

(Optional) In the options bar, click a square on the reference point locator

Do one or more of the following:

If you chose Scale, drag a handle on the bounding box. Press Shift as you drag a corner handle to scale proportionately. When positioned over a handle, the pointer becomes a double arrow.

If you chose Rotate, move the pointer outside the bounding border (it becomes a curved, two-sided arrow), and then drag. Press Shift to constrain the rotation to 15° increments.

If you chose Skew, drag a side handle to slant the bounding box.

If you chose Distort, drag a corner handle to stretch the bounding box.

If you chose Perspective, drag a corner handle to apply perspective to the bounding box.

If you chose Warp, choose a warp from the Warp Style pop‑up menu in the options bar, or to perform a custom warp, drag the control points, a line, or an area within the mesh to change the shape of the bounding box and mesh.

For all types of transformations, enter a value in the options bar. For example, to rotate an item, specify degrees in the rotation text box.

(Optional) If desired, switch to a different type of transformation by selecting a command from the Edit > Transform submenu.

Note:

When you transform a bitmap image (versus a shape or path), the image becomes slightly less sharp each time you commit a transformation; therefore, performing multiple commands before applying the cumulative transformation is preferable to applying each transformation separately.

(Optional) If you want to warp the image, click the Switch Between Free Transform And Warp Mode button

in the options bar.

When you finish, do one of the following:

Press Enter (Windows) or Return (Mac OS), click the Commit button in the options bar, or double-click inside the transformation marquee.

To cancel the transformation, press Esc or click the Cancel button in the options bar.

Select what you want to transform.

Choose Edit > Transform and choose one of the following commands from the submenu:

Rotate to specify degrees in the options bar
Rotate 180° to rotate by a half‑turn
Rotate 90° CW to rotate clockwise by a quarter‑turn
Rotate 90° CCW to rotate counterclockwise by a quarter‑turn
Flip Horizontal to flip horizontally, along the vertical axis
Flip Vertical to flip vertically, along the horizontal axis

Note:

If you are transforming a shape or entire path, the Transform command becomes the Transform Path command. If you are transforming multiple path segments (but not the entire path), the Transform command becomes the Transform Points command.

Choose Edit > Transform > Again, Edit > Transform Path > Again, or Edit > Transform Points > Again.

Hold down Alt (Windows) or Option (Mac OS) when selecting the Transform command.

The Free Transform command lets you apply transformations (rotate, scale, skew, distort, and perspective) in one continuous operation. You can also apply a warp transformation. Instead of choosing different commands, you simply hold down a key on your keyboard to switch between transformation types.

Note:

Select what you want to transform.

Do one of the following:

Choose Edit > Free Transform.

If you are transforming a selection, pixel-based layer, or selection border, choose the Move tool . Then select Show Transform Controls in the options bar.

If you are transforming a vector shape or path, select the Path Selection tool . Then select Show Transform Controls in the options bar.

Do one or more of the following:

To scale by dragging, drag a handle. Press Shift as you drag a corner handle to scale proportionately.

To scale numerically, enter percentages in the Width and Height text boxes in the options bar. Click the Link icon to maintain the aspect ratio.

To rotate by dragging, move the pointer outside the bounding border (it becomes a curved, two‑sided arrow), and then drag. Press Shift to constrain the rotation to 15° increments.

To rotate numerically, enter degrees in the rotation text box in the options bar.

To distort relative to the center point of the bounding border, press Alt (Windows) or Option (Mac OS), and drag a handle.

To distort freely, press Ctrl (Windows) or Command (Mac OS), and drag a handle.

To skew, press Ctrl+Shift (Windows) or Command+Shift (Mac OS), and drag a side handle. When positioned over a side handle, the pointer becomes a white arrowhead with a small double arrow.

To skew numerically, enter degrees in the H (horizontal skew) and V (vertical skew) text boxes in the options bar.

To apply perspective, press Ctrl+Alt+Shift (Windows) or Command+Option+Shift (Mac OS), and drag a corner handle. When positioned over a corner handle, the pointer becomes a gray arrowhead.

To warp, click the Switch Between Free Transform And Warp Modes button in the options bar. Drag control points to manipulate the shape of the item or choose a warp style from the Warp pop‑up menu in the options bar. After choosing from the Warp pop‑up menu, a square handle is available for adjusting the shape of the warp.

To change the reference point, click a square on the reference point locator in the options bar.

To move an item, enter values for the new location of the reference in the X (horizontal position) and Y (vertical position) text boxes in the options bar. Click the Relative Positioning button to specify the new position in relation to the current position.

To undo the last handle adjustment, choose Edit > Undo.

Do one of the following:

Press Enter (Windows) or Return (Mac OS), click the Commit button in the options bar, or double-click inside the transformation marquee.

To cancel the transformation, press Esc or click the Cancel button in the options bar.

Note:

The Warp command lets you drag control points to manipulate the shape of images, shapes, or paths, and so on. You can also warp using a shape in the Warp Style pop‑up menu in the options bar. Shapes in the Warp Style pop‑up menu are also malleable; drag their control points.

When using the control points to distort an item, choosing View > Extras shows or hides the warp mesh and control points.

Using Warp
A. Selecting the shape to be warped B. Choosing a warp from the Warp Style pop‑up menu in the options bar C. Result using several warp options

Select what you want to warp.

Do one of the following:

Choose Edit > Transform > Warp.

If you chose a different transform command or the Free Transform command, click the Switch Between Free Transform And Warp Modes button in the options bar.

Do one or more of the following:

To warp using a specific shape, choose a warp style from the Warp pop‑up menu in the options bar.

Dragging a control point to warp the mesh

To the manipulate the shape, drag the control points, a segment of the bounding box or mesh, or an area within the mesh. When adjusting a curve, use the control point handles. This is similar to adjusting the handles in the curved segment of a vector graphic.

To undo the last handle adjustment, choose Edit > Undo.

Manipulating the shape of a warp
A. Original warp mesh B. Adjusting the handles, mesh segments, and areas within the mesh

To change the orientation of a warp style that you chose from the Warp menu, click the Change The Warp Orientation button in the options bar.

To change the reference point, click a square on the Reference point locator in the options bar.

To specify the amount of warp using numeric values, enter the values in the Bend (set bend), X (set horizontal distortion) and Y (set vertical distortion) text boxes in the options bar. You can’t enter numeric values if you have chosen None or Custom from the Warp Style pop‑up menu.

Do one of the following:

Press Enter (Windows) or Return (Mac OS), or click the Commit button in the options bar.

To cancel the transformation, press Esc or click the Cancel button in the options bar.

Note:

When you warp a bitmap image (versus a shape or path), the image becomes slightly less sharp each time you commit a transformation; therefore, performing multiple commands before applying the cumulative transformation is preferable to applying each transformation separately.

Puppet Warp provides a visual mesh that lets you drastically distort specific image areas, while leaving other areas intact. Applications range from subtle image retouching (such as shaping hair) to total transformations (such as repositioning arms or legs).

In addition to image layers, you can apply Puppet Warp to layer and vector masks. To nondestructively distort images, use Smart Objects. (See Create Smart Objects.)

In the Layers panel, select the layer or mask you want to transform.

Choose Edit > Puppet Warp.

In the options bar, adjust the following mesh settings:

Mode

Determines the overall elasticity of the mesh.

Choose Distort for a highly elastic mesh good for warping wide-angle images or texture maps.

Density

Determines the spacing of mesh points. More Points increases precision but requires more processing time; Fewer Points does the opposite.

Expansion

Expands or contracts the outer edge of the mesh.

Show Mesh

Deselect to show only adjustment pins, providing a clearer preview of your transformations.

To temporarily hide adjustment pins, press the H key.

In the image window, click to add pins to areas you want to transform and areas you want to anchor in place.

Moving a pin on the puppet mesh. Adjoining pins keep nearby areas intact.

To reposition or remove pins, do any of the following:

Drag pins to warp the mesh.
To reveal a mesh area you’ve overlapped with another, click the Pin Depth buttons in the options bar.
To remove selected pins, press Delete. To remove other individual pins, place the cursor directly over them, and press Alt (Windows) or Option (Mac OS); when the scissors icon appears, click.
Click the Remove All Pins button in the options bar.

To select multiple pins, Shift-click them or choose Select All Pins from the context menu.

To rotate the mesh around a pin, select it, and then do either of the following:

To rotate the mesh a fixed number of degrees, press Alt (Windows) or Option (Mac OS), and position the cursor near to, but not over the pins. When a circle appears, drag to visually rotate the mesh.

The degree of rotation appears in the options bar.

To rotate the mesh automatically based on the selected Mode option, choose Auto from the Rotate menu in the options bar.

When your transformation is complete, press Enter or Return.

Press Alt (Windows) or Option (Mac OS) to rotate the mesh around a selected pin.

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Transforming objects

Products Affected

From an expert: Free Transform command

Apply transformations

Select an item to transform

Set or move the reference point for a transformation

Scale, rotate, skew, distort, apply perspective, or warp

Flip or rotate precisely

Repeat a transformation

Duplicate an item when transforming it

Transform freely

Warp an item

Puppet Warp

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