This page will talk about how to change the size of a layer in Photoshop using the “ Free transformation" 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 kind of shape and are limited by its edges; they can be of 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 its visible part, but 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 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 - downwards. 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 resize a layer in Photoshop with minimal loss of quality, convert the layer to 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 its original 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 is another topic.
How to resize multiple layers
Transformation will be applied to several layers at once if:
- 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.
- 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.
Good day, dear readers. Today you will find a very simple lesson, you will learn how to work with the sizes of objects. This is necessary almost every time you open Photoshop. I think that an advanced user can also learn a few things from this publication. useful tips.
So, let's get started? How to make an object smaller in Photoshop.
Working with the dimensions of a rectangular object
In some cases, you need to reduce the size of not the whole image, but only part of it. How to do it? Open the photo and select a rectangular selection.
If you click on left key mouse and hold the button for a few seconds, then a extra menu. There is an interesting round selection tool, you can use that too (see).
Select the desired fragment of the image.
Now simultaneously hold down the CTRL + T button.
You have now used shortcut keys. You could take the long route: open “Editing” in the top panel, and then select “Free Transform”.
Hold down the Shift button on the keyboard and drag the corner of the selected object to the side.
So, I selected this flower here.
And then pressed Ctrl + T. Remember, you can also do this through the panel at the top: Editing - Free Transform.
Hello to all readers of my blog! Andrey Zenkov is with you. Let's talk about how to make a cropped object smaller in Photoshop CS5 or CS6. The methods described in this article can always be used: if you are creating a design for your own website, editing a family photo, creating a business card layout, etc.
And before starting, I would like to remind you about the article “”. This will help if you are only learning the basics graphic editor, since in most lessons entry level The program uses a Russian interface.
Find and open the desired image
First of all, you need to find and open a picture in Photoshop. To search for photos, vectors or illustrations, use the free photo bank - pixabay.com . This service stores more than 950 thousand images. For training, I advise you to take a simple image, from which it will be easy to cut out the desired object.
I took a simple illustration with balls:
To start working, you need to open it in Photoshop. Everything is simple here. I have already described how to do this more than once, but let's repeat it. In the top menu, click on the “File” button and select the “Open...” tab. Next, find the picture on your computer. Once this is done, you can begin the fun part.
Cut out the desired object
To begin, we will separate some area from the main image. To do this, we will use the “Frame” tool. It is activated by pressing the "C" button on the keyboard. It is also easy to find in the side navigation of Adobe Photoshop CC:
In general, how does this tool differ from the standard selection tool? The size of the selected area can be edited before changes are made. The “rectangular area” does not have this ability. If you do something wrong, you will have to select the item again and again until the required result is achieved.
Well, let's get down to business. Activate “Frame” and circle, for example, a red ball. This is done as usual: at any point, press the left mouse button and, without releasing it, drag diagonally. You should get the following:
Now, in order to transfer the selected object to a separate layer, just press the “Enter” key. The result should be like this:
If you want to cut out a ball without a background, check out the material "". It describes how the Quick Selection tool works.
As you can see, there is nothing complicated about this. It takes no more than 2-3 minutes to complete all actions. What can you do next? While maintaining its quality, you can use one of the Lasso tools to cut out the ball. This is much easier to do than when working with a large original image. You can also change the size if the cut out item is too large and its dimensions are not suitable for your purposes. In this case, there are two simple ways.
Editing the resulting fragment
Before describing the first method, I would like to remind you that I discussed a similar topic earlier in the article “”. A nice addition - description this process in online versions of the graphic editor.
You can change the parameters before transferring the ball to the main picture. To change the size, follow the following path:
The following window will open:
Here we are interested in the “Dimension” block and the width and height configurations. I recommend using pixel values. Enter the values you need in these fields. If you want to change the proportions, then uncheck this item:
After editing is complete, you can transfer the resulting fragment to another illustration or use it for other purposes. Now let's talk about the second method.
Changing the dimensions after transferring to another picture
Everything here is extremely simple. To resize the inserted object, press CTRL + T or follow the following path:
After activating “zoom”, the boundaries of the object are highlighted and small squares appear on each side. Hover your cursor over one of them, hold down the left mouse button and drag inside the area if you want to make the fragment smaller. To maintain proportions while editing, hold down "Shift". To save your changes, press the Enter key.
If you want to increase the size of an object, then you will be interested in the article “”. In it I give practical advice and I explain what not to do.
These in simple ways Designers working with Photoshop use it every day. I also want to note that they work in both CS5 and CS6. Reinforce what you have learned by watching a short video:
You can find even more useful Photoshop lessons in Zinaida Lukyanova’s course - “ Photoshop. Mastery Lessons " It consists of one hundred materials, after familiarizing yourself with which your skills will noticeably improve. Cost - 1,490 rubles.
And as an addition, before finishing, I recommend that you read the material “”. Here I have revealed an important secret that you don’t know about yet, so be sure to read it.
Today you have done Good work and got acquainted with a useful tool - “Frame”. In addition, you can now easily and quickly change the size of the cut fragment. If you don't want to miss any future lessons, be sure to subscribe to the Start Luck blog now! And my time today has come to an end.
Andrey Zenkov was with you, see you in the next article.
