Resizing a layer in Photoshop is straightforward and can be achieved using the Free Transform tool. This allows you to adjust the size of your layer while maintaining or altering its aspect ratio.
Step-by-Step Guide:
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Select Your Layer: In the Layers panel (usually located on the right side of the screen), select the layer you wish to resize. You can select multiple layers to resize them simultaneously.
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Activate Free Transform: Press Ctrl+T (Windows) or Command+T (Mac) to activate the Free Transform tool. This will add bounding boxes and handles around your selected layer.
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Resize Your Layer: Click and drag any of the corner handles to resize the layer proportionally. Holding down the Shift key while dragging will constrain proportions, preventing distortion. Dragging the handles on the edges will resize the layer non-proportionally.
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Specify Dimensions (Optional): In the options bar at the top of the screen, you can manually enter precise width and height values. You can also choose to lock the aspect ratio using the lock icon to maintain the original proportions.
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Finalize the Transformation: Press Enter (Windows) or Return (Mac) to accept the changes or press Esc to cancel.
Additional Tips and Considerations:
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Smart Objects: For non-destructive editing, consider converting your layer to a Smart Object before resizing. This allows you to resize without losing image quality. Double-click the layer in the Layers panel to edit the Smart Object's contents.
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Percentage-Based Resizing: While directly entering dimensions is common, you can also resize based on a percentage relative to the image size. However, Photoshop doesn't offer a direct percentage input within the Free Transform tool. You'd need to calculate the new dimensions based on the original image size and the desired percentage.
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Maintaining Aspect Ratio: Always remember to hold down the Shift key while dragging the corner handles to preserve the original aspect ratio of your layer to avoid distortion.
This method applies to most layer types in Photoshop. Remember to save your work frequently.
