Photoshop CC 2019 Free Transform Changes

Free Transform in Photoshop – New Features and Changes

Acquire how Photoshop CC 2019 and CC 2020 change the way nosotros use Complimentary Transform to scale and transform images, shapes and type, and add new features designed to speed up your workflow!

In this tutorial, I show you the changes Adobe made to the Gratis Transform command as of Photoshop CC 2019, along with some additional fixes and improvements in Photoshop CC 2020.

The biggest change from earlier versions of Photoshop is that Gratuitous Transform now scales objects proportionally by default. Simply in CC 2019, this alter only applied to certain kinds of layers. Thankfully, as we'll see in this tutorial, Photoshop CC 2020 fixes that confusing effect.

Another big change in CC 2019 was that the transformation reference bespeak, which normally appeared in the center of the Free Transform box, was at present hidden by default. It's still hidden in CC 2020, but I'll show you a couple of ways to bring information technology dorsum, including how to bring it back permanently.

Photoshop CC 2019 too added new, faster ways to commit our transformations. And Photoshop CC 2020 makes Gratis Transform more flexible past adding multiple undos! Allow'due south see how information technology works.

To follow along, you'll want to be using the latest version of Photoshop and yous'll want to make certain that your copy is up to date. For a complete look at Free Transform, check out my how to use Free Transform in Photoshop tutorial.

Permit'due south become started!

New in CC 2019: Images scale proportionally by default

The biggest change with Free Transform as of Photoshop CC 2019 is that information technology at present scales images proportionally past default. In previous versions of Photoshop, nosotros had to press and hold the Shift key equally we dragged a handle to lock the aspect ratio in place.

But in CC 2019 and CC 2020, the aspect ratio is locked automatically. Belongings Shift while dragging a handle scales the image non-proportionally.

Here's an image I've placed into my Photoshop certificate (butterfly paradigm from Adobe Stock):

A photo placed into a new document in Photoshop CC 2020

A photo placed into a new document.

Related: How to move images betwixt Photoshop documents

How to select Free Transform

I'll select the Free Transform control by going upwardly to the Edit carte and choosing Costless Transform. You can also select Free Transform with the keyboard shortcut, Ctrl+T (Win) / Command+T (Mac):

Selecting the Free Transform command in Photoshop CC 2020

Going to Edit > Complimentary Transform.

How to scale an image proportionally

To scale an image proportionally, simply drag any of the transform handles (the little squares) around the image.

Hither I'grand dragging the peak left corner handle. And notice that while the prototype is getting smaller, its aspect ratio does not change:

How to scale an image proportionally with Free Transform in Photoshop CC 2020

Dragging a corner handle to calibration the image proportionally.

How to scale an image proportionally from its middle

To scale proportionally from the heart of an prototype, press and concord the Alt (Win) / Option (Mac) key as you drag a handle.

This time, I'm dragging the left side handle, and again the attribute ratio remains locked in place:

How to scale an image proportionally with Free Transform in Photoshop

Holding Alt (Win) / Option (Mac) to scale proportionally from the center.

How to scale an epitome non-proportionally

To scale an image non-proportionally, printing and concord the Shift cardinal equally you drag a handle. And to scale not-proportionally from the center, hold Shift+Alt (Win) / Shift+Choice (Mac) equally you drag:

How to scale an image non-proportionally with Free Transform in Photoshop

Holding Shift to unlock the aspect ratio.

New in CC 2019: Type layers scale proportionally

Just like images, type layers now scale proportionally by default in Photoshop CC 2019 and CC 2020.

  • Drag whatever transform handle to scale your type proportionally.
  • Concord Shift while dragging a handle to scale blazon non-proportionally.
  • Hold Alt (Win) / Option (Mac) to scale type from its centre, or Shift+Alt (Win) / Shift+Option (Mac) to scale blazon non-proportionally from its center.
How to scale a type layer in Photoshop

Type layers behave the same as images when scaling with Free Transform.

Related: How to distort text in 3D with Complimentary Transform

New in CC 2020: Shape layers scale proportionally

While images and type layers scaled proportionally by default in Photoshop CC 2019, shape layers did not. Dragging a Free Transform handle on its ain would scale the shape non-proportionally. And to lock the shape's aspect ratio in identify, we needed to concur Shift. This lack of consistency made using Free Transform confusing.

But thankfully as of Photoshop CC 2020, shape layers, image layers and type layers at present behave the same way.

  • Drag any transform handle to scale a shape proportionally.
  • Agree Shift while dragging to scale a shape non-proportionally.
  • Hold Alt (Win) / Option (Mac) to scale a shape from its center, or Shift+Alt (Win) / Shift+Selection (Mac) to scale a shape non-proportionally from its center.
Shape layers now scale proportionally by default as of Photoshop CC 2020

Shape layers at present scale proportionally by default equally of Photoshop CC 2020.

Related: How to use the new Shapes console in Photoshop CC 2020

How to revert to the legacy Free Transform behavior

If you're a long-time Photoshop user and you prefer the old Free Transform behavior, Adobe has added a Apply Legacy Free Transform option in Photoshop's Preferences. Check out my Restore Legacy Free Transform tutorial to learn how information technology works.

Updated in CC 2020: Faster ways to commit transforms

Photoshop CC 2019 as well introduced a faster manner to commit a transformation. Just move your mouse cursor outside and abroad from the Free Transform box until your cursor changes to a blackness arrow. And then click on the document to accept and close Free Transform.

But note that as of Photoshop CC 2020, this just works when scaling an object. Information technology no longer works with Rotate or whatsoever of Photoshop'south other transform commands.

Other quick ways to commit a transformation include choosing a dissimilar tool from the toolbar, or selecting a different layer in the Layers panel. You can also click the checkmark in the Options Bar, double-click inside the Gratis Transform box, or printing Enter (Win) / Render (Mac) on your keyboard):

A new way to commit transforms in Photoshop

Clicking outside the Gratuitous Transform box to commit the scale.

New in CC 2019: The hidden transform reference bespeak

If yous've been using Photoshop for a while, y'all know that the Gratuitous Transform box displays a reference signal in the middle. The reference indicate is used to mark, or motion, the heart bespeak of the transformation. I cover how to utilize the reference signal in my complete Gratis Transform tutorial.

Merely equally of Photoshop CC 2019, the reference point is hidden by default. Adobe chose to hide it so we avoid moving it by fault. Simply the reference point is still there, and here'due south a couple of ways to prove it:

The Free Transform reference point is now hidden in Photoshop CC 2019

The subconscious reference point in Photoshop CC 2019 and CC 2020.

How to temporarily show the reference point

To show the reference point temporarily, select the Toggle Reference Bespeak checkbox in the Options Bar:

The Toggle Reference Point checkbox for Free Transform in Photoshop

The Toggle Reference Betoken checkbox.

How to permanently show the reference point

Or to always show the reference indicate, open Photoshop's Preferences.

On a Windows PC, go to Edit > Preferences > Tools. On a Mac, get to Photoshop CC > Preferences > Tools:

Opening the Tool Preferences in Photoshop

Opening the Tools Preferences.

And and so in the Tools preferences, select Show Reference Bespeak when using Transform:

Selecting the 'Show Reference Point when using Transform' option in Photoshop CC 2019

Turning on "Show Reference Signal when using Transform".

The next time y'all select Free Transform, the reference point will exist visible in the centre of the transform box:

How to show the Free Transform reference point in Photoshop

The reference point appears.

New in Photoshop CC 2020: Multiple undos

And finally, Photoshop CC 2020 adds multiple undos to the Free Transform command. In previous versions, Free Transform was express to a single undo. But in CC 2020, as long as Free Transform is still active, you tin can printing Ctrl+Z (Win) / Command+Z (Mac) repeatedly to undo equally many transform steps as needed.

To redo a footstep in Costless Transform, press Shift+Ctrl+Z (Win) / Shift+Command+Z (Mac). Printing the shortcut repeatedly to redo multiple steps.

And there we take information technology! That'south a quick expect at the changes to Complimentary Transform in Photoshop CC 2019 and CC 2020! Check out our Photoshop Basics section for more tutorials! And don't forget, all of our tutorials are now bachelor to download as PDFs!