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How can I transform a selection outline (scale, widen, distort) without having to redraw it?

How can I transform a selection outline (scale, widen, distort) without having to redraw it?

  1. This takes a bit of doing, so you may find it easier to simply try again from scratch (in Photoshop, you can do it by choosing Select > Transform Selection).
  2. Assuming you have an active selection outline (the one that needs fixing), press the Alt key as you click the New Layer button at the bottom of the Layers palette.
  3. In the New Layer dialog that appears, change the Mode to Overlay. Once you have changed the mode, you will see a checkbox below the Mode menu that is next to the words “Fill with Overlay neutral color (50 % gray).” Click to select that checkbox. Then click OK to add the new layer.
  4. With the layer that you just added selected in the Layers palette, choose Image > Transform > Free Transform (or use Ctrl-T).
  5. A bounding box will surround your selection. Use it to reshape your selection. Drag on the middle of the sides or top to make the selection wider or taller. Press the Shift key and drag on corner handles to scale proportionally. Press the Alt key to scale from the center of the bounding box. Press the Ctrl key and drag corners to distort. Press the Ctrl key and drag on the center-side handles to sheer.
  6. Click the big checkmark on the options bar to accept the transformation (or press the Enter key on your keyboard).
  7. Delete the layer that you created in steps 2-3.

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