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Using the Free Transform command
The Free Transform command lets you apply transformations (rotate, scale, skew, distort, and perspective) in one continuous operation. Instead of choosing different commands, you simply hold down a key on your keyboard to switch between transformation types.
To freely transform:
- Select what you want to transform. (See Specifying what 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 Bounding Box in the options bar. - If you are transforming a vector shape or path, select the path selection tool
. Then select Show Bounding Box 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 W and H text boxes in the options bar. In Photoshop, click the link button
to maintain the aspect ratio. - To rotate by dragging, move the pointer outside of 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 change the reference point, click a square on the reference point locator
in the options bar. (See Setting the reference point.) - 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. In Photoshop, click the Relative Positioning button
to specify the new position in relation to the current position. - 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: (Photoshop) 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.
To undo the last handle adjustment, choose Edit > Undo.
When transforming a bitmap image (versus a shape or path), it 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.