In the spotlight today is the Transform Command, which is found in both Photoshop and Photoshop Elements. It is important for those interested in digital scrapbooking or photo editing to become familiar with the tools and commands in the most popular graphic programs (Photoshop and Photoshop Elements).
In the spotlight today, we will talk about the Transform Command and give some information about this menu item that will help the beginner. We may also provide a few extra details about this particular tool that may be interesting for the more-experienced user too!
The Transform Command basically works the same in both Photoshop or Photoshop Elements, so please keep in mind: as you look at the examples below, they will apply to either program.
What is the Transform Command? The Basics!
The Transform Command, in the simplest definition, is the tool that helps you to “transform a specific layer”!
A more complex definition of the Transform Command, enables you to apply different transformations to a layer. Like move a layer, resize or scale a layer, distort a layer, or alter the perspective of a layer.
How do you get to this Command in Photoshop Elements?
From the menu, choose Images > Transform > Free Transform or press the keyboard shortcut Ctrl + T (Mac: Cmd + T)
In the image above this shows how to get to the Transform Command in Photoshop Elements
How do you get to this Command in Photoshop?
From the menu, choose Edit > Transform > Free Transform or press the keyboard shortcut Ctrl + T (Mac: Cmd + T)
In the image above this shows how to get to the Transform Command in Photoshop Elements
From the menu, choose Images > Free Transform or press the keyboard shortcut Ctrl + T (Mac: Cmd + T) (see #1)
To get to the other transform features in Photoshop go to Images > Transform > (pick a transformation feature you want to use – see #2)
Special Note: Photoshop has a few extra items in it’s list of choices than Photoshop Elements. Some of these items are not in Elements, and some of these items are in different places in Elements but still are available to Elements users!
So, How do I use the Transform Command?
Here are the basics of the Transform Command:
Show Bounding Boxes around Layer: when you choose the FREE Transform Command (Ctrl + T) then a bounding box appears around your selection. This allows you to do these basics – Move, Resize, or Rotate your layer. See the information below to see how this works in Photoshop or Elements. Note: This works basically the same in both Photoshop and Photoshop Elements.
Move Layer: Once you have chosen the Free Transform Command you can put your curser on the item and move it in your project.
This works basically the same in both Photoshop and Photoshop Elements.
Resize or Scale: when you have selected the Transform Command and place your cursor over one of the handles at the top or bottom corners of your item you will see a two-headed arrow that you can use to drag inward to reduce or drag outward to enlarge.
To constrain the proportions when resizing drag from one of the corner handles. This works basically the same in both Photoshop and Photoshop Elements — but Note: In Photoshop you need to also hold down the Shift key while you are dragging to constrain the proportions.
Rotate: When you are using the Transform Tool you can rotate the layer by positioning your cursor just outside the bounding box and when you see a curved double-head arrow – just rotate your item.
This works basically the same in both Photoshop and Photoshop Elements
How is this different from using the Move Tool?
If you have been digital scrapbooking for a while you might wonder why you would ever use the Transform Command? Doesn’t the Move Tool do this anyway? The answer is Yes, and NO!
Answer –yes: If you select the Move Tool and have Show Bounding Box selected in the top menu then you can basically do all the simple tasks like Move, Resize, and Rotate.
Answer – No: When you are in any tool and you Select the Free Transform Command (Ctrl + T) then you go directly to the Transform Command and it is different from just using the Move Tool. For example, the top menu changes to a menu specifically just about Transforming! This is not the same top menu that is in the Move Tool. If you are used to using the Move Tool for these functions instead of the Transform Command you will notice right away how the top menu looks very different in the Transform Command vs. Move Tool. You will have specific menu items that directly relate to only the Transform Command! See the image below that is showing the Transform Command top menu. All the adjustments are about transforming the layer (see #1) also you can go to the Skew Transform command by clicking on the menu button in Photoshop Elements (see #2)
Photoshop has even more options on the top Menu. The settings for transforming (see #1) for more options in transforming - click on the Warp button (see #2)
When you click on the Warp Button a grid comes up on your layer (see #1), then you can select how you want to transform your item! (See #2)
If you have Photoshop try this out! Pick one of the ways to transform and give it a try!
In this example above, I picked the Squeeze Transform selection in Photoshop, and see what it did to my digital scrapbooking tag!
When you are doing digital scrapbooking or photo editing projects these different ways to transform your items is very helpful. Try them out and see what they do – then next time you are scrapbooking see if transforming some of your elements might add to your projects!
Want to Know More about the Transform Command?
These are some of the basics about the Transform Command that every new digital scrapper or photo editor needs to know if they want to use Photoshop or Photoshop Elements and the Transform Command!
Check back tomorrow as we give out more advanced Transform Command information!
Enjoy!
————
The kit we used in this blog:
Enjoy these Velvet Textured spring-inspired Digital Scrapbooking Papers in this kit. The Spring Velvet Digital Paper Kit 1 (11×8.5″ or 8.5×11″) comes with gorgeous colors like pink, purple, green and yellow for Spring, St. Patrick’s Day, and Easter backgrounds, all only as just a start to how you can uses them! These papers can be used in a variety of ways in your digital scrapbooking projects, and can be rotated to work in a vertical or horizontal layout! Being able to rotate and use as 11×8.5″ or 8.5 x11″ makes these papers useful for many digital scrapbooking projects like calendars, recipe albums, photo books, and more! Also because this paper kit is formated in US paper size, it makes it easier to print out on home printers! This kit comes with a bonus tag embellishments kit too: three tags, one with clovers, one with a flower, and one tag with Easter eggs!
—–
If you want to learn more about Digital Scrapbooking or Photo Editing please check out our Scrap Shop for great video tutorials!
Also, if you would like to buy the digital scrap kits see Digital Supplies at Digital Scrapbooks and More Scrap Shop!
