Transform layer properties in the Canvas

After you select a layer in the Layers list or Canvas, you can choose a 2D transform tool (from the pop-up menu in the toolbar) to activate transform handles in the Canvas. Drag the handles to transform basic image properties such as position, rotation, scale, and so on. For a list of transform tools and their functions, see 2D transform tools.

Activate the Select/Transform tool

The Select/Transform tool (the arrow) is the default 2D transform tool. Use it to resize, reposition, or rotate layers in the Canvas.

Click the Select/Transform tool in the toolbar, or press the S key.
Note: If a different 2D transform tool is showing in the toolbar, click and hold down the tool to open a pop-up menu, then choose the Select/Transform tool (the arrow).
The Select/Transform tool is selected in the toolbar, and transform handles appear in the Canvas for each selected layer or group.

Choose a different 2D transform tool

When you choose a 2D transform tool from the pop-up menu in the toolbar, transform handles appear in the Canvas for each selected layer or group.

Do any of the following:

In the toolbar: Click and hold down the Select/Transform tool, then choose a different tool from the pop-up menu. For a list of transform tools and their functions, see 2D transform tools.
In the Canvas: Click the Select/Transform tool in the toolbar, then Control-click any layer in the Canvas and choose a tool from the shortcut menu.
The options in the shortcut menu vary depending on the type of layer selected. For example, a shape layer contains shape-specific options such as Stroke, Edit Gradient, and Edit Points.
With the Tab key: In the Layers list or Canvas, select a layer, then press Tab. Pressing Tab repeatedly cycles through the 2D transform tools in order. Pressing Shift-Tab cycles through the tools in reverse.
Note: When pressing Tab, the 3D Transform tool is activated between the 2D Select/Transform tool and the Anchor Point tool. For more information about 3D transforms, see Transform layers in 3D space.

Transform layers

Select one or more layers in the Layers list or Canvas.
Choose a 2D transform tool from the pop-up menu in the toolbar, as described in the previous task.
Drag a transform handle in the Canvas.

If you selected a single layer, only that layer is modified:

Canvas showing a single object being scaled

If you selected multiple layers, each is transformed. Each transform occurs around each layer’s own anchor point, so the effect is the same as if you applied the transform to each layer’s handle, one at a time:

Canvas showing multiple objects being scaled together

Transform a group

If you select and then transform an entire group, all layers and groups nested in it are treated as a single layer.

Select a group in the Layers list.
In the Canvas, a single set of transform handles appears on a bounding box that encompasses all layers in the group.
Choose a 2D transform tool from the pop-up menu in the toolbar, as described above.
Drag a transform handle in the Canvas.

All layer transforms occur around a single anchor point belonging to the group:

If you select a layer and its parent group (but not the other layers in the group), the following occurs:

The scale handles of the parent group remain available, and the scale handles of the individual layers within the group are dimmed. Dragging the group’s scale handles scales the group, not its nested objects.
The rotation handles of the individual layers remain available. Dragging an object’s rotation handle rotates that object independently of the other objects in the group.