When transforming most layer types such as pixel layers, type layers, bitmaps, Placed Smart Objects, simply drag a corner handle to scale these layer types proportionally. Holding down the Shift key while dragging a corner handle during transform, scales these layer types non-proportionally.
However, shapes and paths (that is vectors) scale non-proportionally by default when you drag a corner handle during transform.
For detailed instructions, see Scale, rotate, skew, distort, apply perspective, or warp.
Revert to the legacy transform behavior
To revert to the legacy transform behavior, follow the instructtions below depending on your Photoshop version.
Instructions for Photoshop version 20.0.5 (June 2019 release)
Do the following:
- Choose Edit > Preferences > General (Windows) or Photoshop > Preferences > General (macOS).
- Select Use Legacy Free Transform.
- Restart Photoshop.
Do the following:
- Use Notepad (Windows) or a text editor on Mac OS to create a plain text file (.txt).
- Type the text below in the text file:
TransformProportionalScale 0
- (Windows) Save the file as "PSUserConfig.txt" to your Photoshop settings folder. [Installation Drive]:\Users\[User Name]\AppData\Roaming\Adobe\Adobe Photoshop CC 2019\Adobe Photoshop CC 2019 Settings\
(macOS) Do the following:
- Save the file as "PSUserConfig.txt" to the desktop.
- Control-click PSUserConfig.txt saved at the desktop and choose Copy from the pop-up menu.
- In the Finder, choose Go > Go To Folder. In the Go To Folder dialog box, type ~/Library/Preferences/Adobe Photoshop CC 2019 Settings/
- Paste the copied file at this location.
- Restart Photoshop.
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 Work with 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.
A. Original image B. Layer flipped C. Selection border rotated D. Part of object scaled
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.
Rotate 180, Rotate 90 CW, Rotate 90 CCW
Rotates the item by the specified number of degrees, either clockwise or counterclockwise.
Video tutorial: Tips for working with vectors in Photoshop
-
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 contiguous layers. (See Select, group, and link 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.)
Set or move the reference point for a transformation
Updated in the October 2018 release of Photoshop CC (20.0)
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.
, click select the check box next to the reference point locator 
in the options bar. 
. 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.
. The
reference point can be outside the item you want to transform.You can apply various transform operations such as Scale, Rotate, Skew, Distort, Perspective, or Warp to the selected image.
-
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.
-
- If you chose Scale, drag a handle on the bounding box. When positioned over a handle, the pointer becomes a double arrow.
- If you are scaling layer types such as pixel layers, type layers, bitmaps, Placed Smart Objects, drag a corner handle to scale proportionally. Press Shift as you drag a corner handle to scale non-proportionally.
- If you are scaling shapes and paths (that is vectors), drag a corner handle to scale non-proportionally. Press Shift as you drag a corner handle to scale proportionally.
- 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 Scale, drag a handle on the bounding box. When positioned over a handle, the pointer becomes a double arrow.
-
(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.
-
- Select a new tool.
- Click a layer in the Layers panel. (This action auto-commits changes and also selects the layer.)
- Click outside the canvas area in the document window.
- Click outside the bounding box in the canvas area.
- Press Enter (Windows) or Return (Mac OS), click the Commit button
in the options bar, or double-click inside the transformation marquee.
text
box.
in
the options bar.
in the options bar.-
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.
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