2D Transform Tools
Before you transform a layer in the Canvas, make sure the pointer is set to the correct
tool. These tools can be selected from the toolbar. Selecting a 2D transform tool in the
toolbar activates a corresponding onscreen control in the Canvas; you modify layers by
manipulating the active onscreen control.
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There are eight 2D transform tools, available in a pop-up menu on the left side of the
toolbar:
• Select/Transform: Scales, rotates, and repositions selected layers.
• Anchor Point: Offsets the anchor point used for all layer transforms.
• Drop Shadow: Manipulates layer drop shadows in the Canvas.
• Distort: Stretches a layer into polygonal shapes.
• Crop: Cuts off pixels from any of the layer’s four edges.
• Edit Points: Manipulates control points on shapes, paths, and curves.
• Transform Glyph: Transforms individual letters in a text layer. The Transform Glyph tool
is also a 3D tool, using the same transform controls as the 3D Transform tool.
• Adjust Item: Moves onscreen controls such as gradients, center points of filters, emitter
attributes, and so on.
Note: Some of the tools are activated when specific layers are selected. For example, the
Edit Points tool is selected after you create a shape or mask layer, so you can immediately
adjust the Bezier or B-Spline control points.
To switch among tools
Do one of the following:
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Click the Select/Transform tool in the toolbar, then, while holding down the mouse button,
choose a tool from the pop-up menu.
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With a layer in the Canvas selected, press Tab. Pressing Tab repeatedly cycles through
the tools in order.
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 transform
tools, see
3D Transform Tools
.
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Control-click any layer in the Canvas, then 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 contains shape-specific options such as Stroke, Edit Gradient, and Edit
Points. Those options do not apply to an image.
Note: Press Shift-Tab to cycle through the tools in reverse.