Photoshop

Transform freely

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: 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.
  1. Select what you want to transform.
  2. 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.

  3. 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.
  4. 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.

    Important: 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.