This tool enables you to take a selected image or part of an image and transform it in various ways. This distinguishes this tool from the somewhat similar Transform Selection (see Transform selection tool), which merely transforms selection boundaries rather the image that is selected. Note that Transform Image only works with a selection and therefore you need to apply one of the standard selection tools first.
Click on Transform Image on the Tools bar. Handles will appear on the boundaries and a moveable star-like symbol will appear in the center of the selection.
The mouse pointer becomes an arrow inside the selection, a cross while placed over any of the handles, and a curved double-headed arrow outside the selection.
To move the selected image as a whole, place the pointer inside the selection and drag the arrow to a new position. The whole of the selected image is moved to the new position.
To stretch the selected image, place the pointer over the relevant handle or handles and drag the cross to a new position. The selection border will be repositioned and the image stretched to fit the new border.
To rotate the selected image, move the pointer anywhere outside the selection and drag the curved double-headed arrow to a new position. Note that the selection rotates round the star-like symbol at the center of the selection. You can move this symbol by clicking and dragging on it; the selection will henceforth rotate round the new position.
You can cancel a transformation by pressing Esc on the keyboard or selecting Undo Transform from the Edit menu.
The above operations are together known as Free Transforms, that is they are applied by you by hand, using the mouse, and are all available simultaneously. More precise and automatic transforms can be performed by right-clicking (or selecting Transform from the Edit menu) and choosing an option from the displayed menu (see Transform options).
See also: