Crop & Transform - Getting Started With Photoshop - Research Guides

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Search this Guide Search Getting Started with Photoshop Photoshop basics including: how to open and create a new image, navigating palettes, learning the parts of a layer, how to use guides, and where to go for more help at the University of Michigan.

• Intro
• Open / Create Image
• Palettes
• Layers
• Crop & Transform
• Type
• Tone & Color
• Selections
• Guides & Align
• Saving

The Crop Tool

Straightening and Cropping an Image

The Crop Toolallows you to straighten and remove unwanted parts of an image and straighten at the same time. The crop tool has many new features to help you get the best crops. Follow the directions below to learn how to use the crop tool and its features.

Straighten an Image

1. Select the Crop Tool () from the Tools Palette. A crop box will appear around the edges of your image.

2. If your image needs straightened, click on the straighten button ( ) in the Options Palette. Click and drag across the line or plane you wish to straighten. Once you release the mouse, the image will automatically straighten.

Using the Straighten Tool

How to Crop an Image

Crop an Image

1. Select the Crop Tool () from the Tools Palette. A crop box will appear around the edges of your image.

2. Grab one of the corner handles on the crop frame and drag it to adjust the size of thecrop box. Adjust the crop box using the handles until it is at the desiered size.

4. To accept the crop, push RETURN / ENTER on your keyboard or click on the checkmark ( ) in the Options Palette.

Transforming an Object or Selection

How to Transform an Object

Many objects, shapes, or images that we create are not always the ideal size, roation, or skew that we want. We can alter or transform objects by using the Transform and Free Transform Tools.

Transform

The Transform feature allows users to alter their object or selection in a variety of ways, such as scale, rotate, distort, or flip (mirror).

• To use the Transform feature, select a layer or create a new selections.
• Got to Edit in the menu, select Transform, and select the type of transformation you wish to make.
• A bounding box will appear around your selection and allow you to transform it using the handles. If you use Roate 180°, Rotate 90°, Flip Horizontal, or Flip Vertical then your image will automatically be transformed.

Free Transform

The Free Transform feature allows you to make several transformations at once, rather than one at a time.

• To use the Free Transform feature, select a layer or create a new selections.
• Got to Edit in the menu, select Free Transform. A bounding box will appear around your selection.
• You can now transform the selection using the bounding box handles.
• Scale - Grab corner handles and adjust size
• Rotate - Move cursor slightly away from corner handle, moving it away from the selection. The cursor will turn into a curved double arrow and allow you to rotate the selection.
• Distort - Place your cursor over a handle, hold down the CTRL (Windows) or COMMAND (Mac) key so that the cursor becomes white, and grab a handle to distort.
• Skew - Place your cursor over a handle, hold down the CTRL (Windows) or COMMAND (Mac) + SHIFT keys so that the cursor becomes white, and grab a handle to skew.
• Perspective - Place your cursor over a handle, hold down the CTRL (Windows) or COMMAND (Mac) + ALT + SHIFT keys so that the cursor becomes white, and grab a handle to change perspective.

Using the transform features to add depth to an image.

Additional Resources

Still have questions?Check out the links below for additional information!

Adobe Help - Transforming Objects

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Last Updated: Sep 8, 2025 10:23 AM Subjects: How-to Tags: adobe, dscs, image, jpg, multimedia, photo, photographs, photos, photoshop, picture, pictures, pixels, technology guide Login to LibApps