Transform selection tool

This tool enables you to take a selection and transform it in various ways. Transform Selection works only on the selection boundaries and not on the image within the selection (use Transform Image if you want to transform the selected image itself). To transform a selection, obviously you need to have made a selection first, using one of the selection tools on the Tools bar (see Selections).

Click on Transform Selection image\ppTSelection.gif on the Tools bar. A rectangular box is placed around the selection, no matter what the shape of the selection. Handles are placed on the boundaries of the box and a moveable star-like symbol placed at its center.

image\ppTransform.gif

The mouse pointer becomes an arrow inside the box, a cross while placed over any of the handles, and a curved double-headed arrow outside the box.

To move the selection as a whole, place the pointer inside the box and drag the arrow to a new position. The whole of the selection is moved to the new position. Note that the image within the original selection boundaries stays put when the selection is moved.

To stretch the selection, place the pointer over the relevant handle or handles and drag the cross to a new position. The selection border will be repositioned.

To rotate the selection, move the pointer anywhere outside the box 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 box. 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 in the Edit menu) and choosing an option from the displayed menu (see Transform options). In choosing one of these options, you automatically make the others unavailable. For instance, while scaling you will be unable to rotate the selection.

See also:

Transform Image