Exact layer size in Photoshop. Puff Trivia in Photoshop (3.2). Moving and scaling a layer

The size of the visible part of a layer of a file opened in Photoshop program, is equal to the area of ​​the document canvas and can be changed by decreasing or increasing the size of the document or canvas. However, in graphic editor It is possible to change the size of an object located on any layer using the transformation tools.

You will need

• - Photoshop program;
• - a file consisting of several layers.

Instructions

This page will talk about how to change the size of a layer in Photoshop using the Free Transform function. The need to change the layer size may occur when creating a collage, overlaying several images on top of each other, etc.

We're not talking about changing the scale. This was written about in the article.

To better understand what we are talking about, let’s start with a little theory. For example, let’s take work with applique, when smaller details are glued onto one general background. These parts have some form and are limited by its edges, they can be different sizes. IN Adobe Photoshop all layers are always the same size in the shape of a rectangle and match the size open document, background. No matter how we reduce the layer, we reduce it visible part, and the layer itself will remain the same size. It’s just that the outer part will be invisible, transparent. If desired, you can draw a shape on this invisible part and it will lie in the same layer.

Let's say that we want to combine two images into one picture - a seascape and a ship. However, the ship is too large size and does not fit harmoniously into the landscape. In practice, we will look at how to use transformation to change the size of one or several layers in Photoshop.

How to change the size of a layer using transform

As we can see in the layers palette, we have two images open. At the same time, the upper one is on transparent background. This is what we need to reduce. We activate it by clicking the mouse in the palette so that it is highlighted in blue.

Photoshop works with the active layer.

Press Ctrl+T on your keyboard or go to the Edit → Free Transform menu. Outlining lines with square nodes at the corners and in the middle of each side will appear along the borders of the layer. If the layer is too large and extends significantly beyond the canvas, the outline lines of the frame may be out of sight.

In this case, you need to reduce the scale of the document to such an extent that there is free space between the boundaries of the layer and the editor window. The lines will be visible on the editor's workspace. You can change the scale in .
Move the cursor to one of the corner nodes and, when it takes the form of a double-sided arrow, drag it, thus expanding or reducing all sides of the image at once. In our case - downward. To maintain proportions, first hold down the Shift key. If you hold down Shift+Alt, the size will change relative to the center of the layer.
To stretch the picture in width, you need to pull on one of the side parts of the frame, and in height, respectively, on the top or bottom side of the frame.

Attention! To change the layer size in Photoshop with minimal loss quality, convert the layer into a smart object before starting transformation.

To do this, right-click on it in the layers palette and select “Convert to smart object” from the list that appears. After this, you can call the transformation function and feel free to work with it. After working in the same list, select “Rasterize layer”, and the smart will be removed.

If you suddenly make a mistake, everything can be returned to starting position– reset the transformation by pressing the Esc key or the icon in top panel

When you are satisfied with the result, press Enter or check the checkbox on the top panel. This is what happened:
All that remains is to “lower” the keel of the ship into the water and work on the light and shadows to make the picture more realistic. But that's another topic.

How to resize multiple layers

Transformation will be applied to several layers at once if:

1. Select several layers at once. To do this, select the top one, hold down Shift and click on the bottom one. You can do the opposite - lower, then upper. All layers between them will be selected.

If the required layers are not in order, select them one by one while holding down the Ctrl key.

1. Combine into a group or link together. Read how to do this

If you have chosen the method of combining into a group, it is more convenient to carry out the transformation with closed group, highlighting it. Of course, you can open a group and select all the layers in it, but what was the point of merging then? Attention! You can change the size of a layer if it is not locked. This usually applies to the bottom background layer.

One of key elements The structures of media projects in Photoshop are considered layers. Almost any picture or text opened in this program represents a layer or is placed on it. In some cases, it may be necessary to increase the corresponding element. There are quite a few ways to do this. How to enlarge a layer in Photoshop?

Let us consider the specifics of the corresponding operations in Photoshop versions CS6 with English interface.

The term “layer” – Layer – in Photoshop can mean:

• background of the edited image (located directly on the canvas - Canvas);
• a picture used as a background (fixed above the canvas);
• another image located above the specified graphic elements.

In each case, the increase in layer has its own characteristics. Let's study them.

How to enlarge a layer that is the background?

So, let's look at how to increase the size of a layer in Photoshop, if it is the background of the edited image. It is formed, in particular, when creating a new project in Photoshop or when opening any graphic file in this program.

In the list of layers – Layers – it is designated Background. In order to enlarge it, you need to activate the canvas window, then select the Image menu item, then Image Size. In the window that opens, you will need to enter the required layer size. For example, if we want to increase it by 120%, then the settings might look like this:

It is also possible, if necessary, to carry out more fine tuning size of the background layer – for example, in pixels.

The peculiarity of the graphic element in question is the inability to move the picture, which is the background, relative to the canvas. Therefore, if you enlarge or reduce the canvas (there is a separate function for this – Image – Canvas Size), then the photo will also proportionally change in size. new layer.

But this feature It's easy to get around if you turn the background layer into a "standard" layer. To do this, double-click on its name – Background – and click OK. After this, the Background layer in the list will be renamed to Layer. In turn, its structure allows you to separate the background image from the canvas.

Which, in turn, can become an additional background element. It can, for example, be filled with color using the Paint Bucket Tool.

In this case, the original background image is the one in the screenshot colored green, – will combine with the “canvas” color. After this, if desired, you can enlarge the canvas again.

A picture that is used as a background and is located above the canvas (in in this case This is a green image supplemented with blue elements), thus forming an independent layer. Its value can also be adjusted. Let's study how to enlarge a layer in Photoshop, which is a picture used as a background.

How to enlarge a layer in the form of a picture on the background (or on the canvas)?

For clarity, you can enlarge the canvas a little.

You can change the size of a layer in the form of a picture, which is used as a background - or its main section - in several ways.

The first option is to use the Free Transform group of options. In order to open it, you need to select the Rectangular Marquee Tool on the left panel, right-click on the image, and then click on Free Transform.

In order to change the specific size of the image layer, you need to select the Scale item. Afterwards, use the sliders along the edges of the picture to select the optimal image size. If you hold down the Shift key, its original proportions will be preserved when the corresponding graphic object is enlarged or reduced.

There are also alternative option adjusting the size of the image layer. The fact is that immediately after opening the Free Transform group of options at the top of the Photoshop interface, it will open additional menu, in which you can set the optimal image scale - in pixels or percentages.

After adjusting the size of the image layer is completed, the resulting size should be fixed by pressing Enter.

Another type of layer in Photoshop is an image placed on another image. A similar effect is possible if, for example, you copy to open window program (which in this case displays a canvas with a green image) another graphic file.

The added image will form a new layer - in this case, Layer 1. Let's consider, in turn, how to enlarge a layer in Photoshop, presented in this variety.

How to enlarge a layer as a separate image?

In principle, the same procedures that we discussed in the previous scenario apply to a layer in the form of a separate image. Thus, you can use the Free Transform group of options - in two ways (using the sliders or using the menu that opens at the top of the Photoshop interface).

Another option in Photoshop CS6 that we have not yet noted is quite convenient, namely Show Transform Controls. It is activated by checking the box next to the corresponding element of the Photoshop interface, which appears when the Move Tool is selected.

When the Shot Transform Controls option is enabled, you can, in particular, quickly change the size of layers presented as separate images. As soon as a layer is selected, sliders appear on the corresponding picture. This tool, accordingly, is especially convenient if you work with a large number images at the same time.

By the way, when working with several pictures - as well as with the one presented against the background of the canvas, you can use the first method of increasing the layer, which we discussed above.

First a little theory. It must be remembered that in fact the layer never changes its size - it has no dimensions at all, either in width or height. When we talk about changing the size of a layer, we, first of all, talk about its contents - about the image that is located on this layer.

In this regard, in Photoshop there is not a single command like “Change layer size” or “Set width/height for layer”. It is important to understand that this is an abstract phenomenon.

Let's see what dictated the desire to change the size of a layer - you opened/placed a certain image or a separate object on a layer, and now you want to change its size (reduce or increase).

Let's say the task is to make a picture whose dimensions will be 550x350 pixels. To do this, you created such a document. Now you want it, but those times - she didn’t clean up!

In common parlance, the visible part of a document is called a layer. But in reality this is not the case. Look, although the picture with the tiger is cropped, this does not mean that the missing parts of the image are cut off! Everything is there, they are just hidden behind the document viewing area.

The Photoshop layer is also what goes beyond this very area. Where it is hidden from view and nothing is visible, the pixels continue their life. At any moment we can move the contents of the layer, and everything secret will come true:

We come to the conclusion that we act exclusively on the contents of the layer, which means that when we say about changing the layer size, need to keep in mind resizing content layer!

How to resize a layer's contents

To perform this simplest operation, you will need the Edit command (hotkey combination Ctrl+T).

A bounding box appears around the layer's contents, with handles on the corners and sides. Changing sizes is carried out by influencing these markers.

Note that a border will appear around all of the layer's contents, including what's in the hidden part of the viewport.

It happens that you inserted an image that is significantly larger than the viewing area. Therefore, choosing the command Free transformation, you may not see this frame because it is hidden somewhere far away, even behind the Photoshop panels.

In such cases it is necessary zoom out (Ctrl + — ) of the viewing area until the frame appears.

• To decrease the size of the layer, pull the marker towards the inside of the frame; to increase the size, pull it towards the opposite part.
• If you pull the marker located on the side of the frame, the picture will stretch in the selected direction.
• If you drag the corner of the frame, the height and width will change simultaneously.
• To apply the size changes, press Enter or the checkmark button in the options bar.
• If , Photoshop will also do the same size editing.
• To change the size proportionally, you can use one of two methods:

1. Hold down the Shift key and drag around a corner.
2. Click on the circuit icon in the options bar Free transformation.

Once again, pay attention to the screenshot of the panel in the top screenshot.

If you need set your own specific dimensions for the layer, then enter the appropriate values ​​in the fields W (width) And H (height). By default, the unit of measurement is percentage, but if you right-click on the window, a menu will appear to select other units of measurement, including pixels, centimeters and millimeters.

Resizing the background layer

The most common mistake made by beginners is that they open a picture in Photoshop and want to resize it, but the Ctrl+T command does not respond and the frame does not appear.

First, look at the Layers palette, is there a padlock icon on the layer? Most likely there is. This means that you have a background layer, which has a lot of limitations, including the inability to resize using the command Free Transformation.

In this case, the image size can be changed either through the command Image - Image Size, and then enter the required values, or you need to unlock the background (this operation is called Educate). To do this, double click on the background layer. A window will appear in which, without changing anything, click on OK. Now you can work with the layer as usual, all restrictions have been removed.

Image quality after reduction/enlargement

Reducing, and especially enlarging, an image does not go unnoticed for him. This process leaves an indelible imprint - loss of quality.

When we enlarge the picture, it increases - that is, there are more pixels forming this image. For example, the width of the picture was 100 pixels, but we enlarged it, and the width became 200 pixels, the difference is 2 times! But where will the new 100 pixels suddenly appear?

They are completed by Photoshop itself. It has an algorithm that allows you to analyze the contents of the picture and when it is enlarged, it knows which pixels should be added. But this is automation, this is a dry, lifeless algorithm of actions - it is not ideal. This means that the pixels are not drawn as desired. The effect of blur and unclear details will appear.

The process of reducing an image it goes away less painfully. Since it is placed smaller, we become less picky about details, so whether they are there or not is no longer important - and so nothing is visible.

Pixels cannot be compressed; when they are reduced, Photoshop throws out the extra ones (that’s why pictures with lower resolution weigh less). For example, an image 200 pixels wide was reduced to 50 pixels. In this case, 150 pixels down. That's it, they are no more - they are irretrievably lost. If you want to return the picture to its original size, it will be radically different from what it was. The process described above in the first case will go through. Schematically this is what it looks like:

You need to always be prepared for this and approach the process wisely:

• Take images to high resolution, there the loss of quality will be less noticeable.
• Do not do this when increasing big difference with the original - no need to increase it 10 times. The higher the magnification, the more obvious the loss of quality.

But, by the way, this problem knows its solution. There is a special type of layers in Photoshop - smart objects. These are containers that store all the information about the image. Therefore, the enlargement may come with a loss, since here, whatever one may say, you need to fill in the missing pixels, but the process of first reducing the image and then enlarging it will not affect its quality at all, since Photoshop will not lose pixels , he will carefully store them in his special container, and then, if necessary, take them back and restore them as they were. There is a large detailed article on the site, I recommend you read it.

If you notice an error in the text, select it and press Ctrl + Enter. Thank you!

Function free transformation We used it to see how big the brick image is compared to our canvas, after first reducing the visibility scale of the window's internal contents.

By reducing the visibility scale, we can take in our entire canvas and the entire transferred brick picture. This approach is to some extent reminiscent of the work of an artist when he works on a picture (paints a picture). After making a few brush strokes, the painter can move away from the canvas and look at the result from a further distance. Of course, we can not change the visibility, but simply activate the free transform function by pressing Ctrl + T, and then pressing and holding left button mouse (grab the layer image) and start moving it in any direction until one of the scaling markers appears:

The lower left corner marker is visible in the picture. If we need to reduce the brick picture layers while maintaining the proportions, then it would be best to pull one of the corner markers to the center of our canvas, and not the top and bottom side ones. Working with corner markers, we maintain the proportions of the entire picture. We can drag the marker to change its size by simply grabbing it with the mouse, we can drag it with the Shift key pressed and held, and this is better. This way we reduce the distortion of each pixel and the image as a whole. The best option for us would be to scale while holding down the Shift+Alt keys. If someone in their work prefers to work through the menu and does not like to use “hot keys”, then, in this case, they should not ignore the Shift+Alt keys, since we are talking about maintaining image quality and this pair of keys is not a “hot key” " Last time we deselected by pressing Esc keys. Let's make a selection again using the Ctrl+T keys (hot keys) or through the menu:

Also, we can select the “Transform” option, and in the clarifying actions window that opens, the “Scale” function:

No matter which way we go, the picture will eventually be captured by markers. Don't forget to take a look at the layers palette and make sure that all the necessary layers are ready to be resized, i.e. they should be highlighted in blue. So, our canvas with the brick picture transferred to it is ready to be resized, or rather, the brick picture located on it, because it is its size that we reduce to the size of our canvas. Taking care of the quality of the image layers being reduced (taking into account maintaining the proportions), it would not be a mistake, in addition to holding the Shift+Alt keys, to move not one corner marker, but all four, and do this in diagonal mode, i.e. bottom left, then top right, then bottom right, then top left:

Or in a different sequence, depending on which of the markers comes first. Let us remember that according to our plan, the transferred brick picture should correspond to the size of our canvas. Therefore, we just need to bring each of the corner markers to its corresponding corner of the canvas and press the Enter key twice. The transformation function will be interrupted and the program will accept the changes we made:

In this picture, the Enter key has not yet been pressed. Click it twice and the markers will disappear:

I selected the visibility scale in such a way that the size of our canvas, with the brick image transferred to it, corresponded to the original brick image (it is on the left). As we can see, our canvas (on the right) is no worse than the original. If we feel that we have brought the markers to the corners of our canvas, according to our own feelings, not ideally, then we can move the picture layers using the arrow keys without removing the selection or, conversely, removing it. We do all this at our own discretion. We can adjust the size of our canvas by moving the top and bottom markers, as well as the side ones. In this case, it is better to hold down the Shift key. But, if we estimate by eye, we see that we need to trim it by about 1-3 pixels, then we don’t have to hold down the Shift key. Another option for reducing/enlarging would be to use the percentage zoom feature. Let's decide for a change that according to our creative idea, we want the brick background to be not the size of our entire canvas, but a little narrower horizontally. If we make “narrowness” using markers, then we need to pull the upper middle marker down a little, and pull the middle lower marker a little up. This is all conditional. We move as much as we need to realize our creative ideas. During this movement, we hold the Shift key or do not hold it, i.e. how we like it and depending on what we get. Let's enter free transform mode via the menu or using the Ctrl+T keys. We remember that we are only transforming the brick background. Therefore, only this should be highlighted in blue in the layers palette:

Let's take a look at the menu before pressing Ctrl+T or before selecting the "Editing" tab from the menu and selecting the "Free Transform" option:

Now let's take a look at the menu after entering free transformation mode:

The menu has changed somewhat - value windows have appeared, including the one we need in at the moment percentage of width and height. Let's place the cursor in the height box and select the value “100”. It began to glow blue. You can select the entire meaning:

Let's say that we decided to reduce the height by 60%, so to speak, to cut off the brick background from the bottom and top. That is, 100% minus 60% equals 40%. So let’s enter the value - 40. If we have selected everything completely, then it is still not necessary to write the percent sign, Photoshop will understand it as it should. Press Enter:

This is how the brick background narrowed. If we press Enter again, then this transformation of the brick background layer will be accepted by the program and the markers will disappear, and we will be left with a brick stripe. We see that the brick background has become narrower as we wanted, but the texture itself has shrunk - the bricks have become small. Do we need this? Let's assume that we are not satisfied with this, we want the bricks to stay the same size. In this case, scaling should be abandoned. We need to think about what we should do. Again, we can remove the excess, or we can hide it and thereby insure ourselves in case it seems to us that the strip of brick background left is narrow or, on the contrary, large. We will return to this later, but now we will continue talking about scaling. We changed the height percentage in our example. We can also change only the width and, naturally, the height and width at the same time, setting the values ​​we need. Working through the menu with percentage values Shift keys and we don't use Shift+Alt. We can work with the size of the image before transferring it to our canvas. The canvas is created and then the brick image is opened:

We remember what size we created our canvas, but if we forgot, then to clarify, let’s turn to the “Image” menu tab, and in it to the “Canvas Size” option:

In the window that opens we see the desired parameters:

When working in the mode of several (in our case with two) windows, remember to pay attention to what we are working with, i.e. in which window? The width of our canvas is 454 px and the height is 340 px. Now let's go to the window with the brick image and follow the same path to the size of the brick image. What parameters do we see:

That the portable brick image is half the size of our canvas. Let's move the cursor to the width value in pixels. Press the left mouse button and hold it down to select the parameter:

Now let's enter a value equal to the width of our canvas, i.e. 454:

After entering the width value, the height parameter changed automatically and differs from the height value of our canvas by only one pixel. Before clicking “Ok” let’s do technical settings. True, they have already been made by me, so I will point to them with arrows:

We're going to transfer the image onto our blank canvas, and in the top four pictures it's already on our canvas. Sorry for being so incorrect, I want to say a few words about removing unnecessary layers. To delete a layer, you need to select it in the layers palette by clicking the mouse, i.e. it should be highlighted in blue. It can be several layers. After we have selected the layer(s) to be deleted, we need to grab them with the mouse and drag them into the trash can in the lower right corner of the layers palette:

You can remain on the selection with the right mouse button to open the options window, where you can select “Delete layers”:

Or just click “Delete”. So we entered the dimensions of our canvas instead of the original dimensions of the brick image. Now click “Ok” and see what we got:

Visually, our canvas and brick image are the same. With this scaling method, there is no need to select layers. Photoshop worked with all layers automatically. Well, let's select all the layers of the brick image in the layers palette and grab them with the mouse (we have already done this) and drag them into the window with our canvas:

Let's release the mouse button and the brick picture will appear on our canvas as it should, i.e. in the center. For our peace of mind, let's see if everything is in order. Press the key combination Ctrl+T:

There is subtle whiteness visible on the top and left side. Let's try to move the brick image with the left arrow and up arrow on the keyboard. In my opinion, the whiteness along these edges has disappeared, now you can press Enter so that this small adjustment is accepted and the markers disappear. In principle, it is not needed. We do this at our own discretion. When monitoring the quality of your work, it would be correct to increase the visibility scale in order to better see individual important areas. It should be taken into account that with this scaling method the size of all layers changes simultaneously.

To be continued…