Paint Shop Pro: Part 2 of our Free PSP Training Course

Resizing Images

To quickly resize an image, use the Resize command. Keep in mind that this changes the number of pixels in the image, thus changing not only the file size but also the image’s resolution.

To resize an image:

1. If resizing a specific layer, click on the layer in the Layers palette to select it.
2. From the Image menu, select Resize.

The Resize dialog opens.

1. Enter new values into the Width and Height fields.

To change the values of only one dimension, clear the Lock aspect ratio checkbox. Keep in mind that this will distort the image.

1. To resize the entire image, keep the Resize all layers checkbox checked. To resize a single layer, clear the box.
2. Click OK.

Rotating Images

You can rotate a raster selection, a layer, or an entire image using the Free Rotate command:

1. To rotate part of an image, use one of the selection tools to make the selection you want to rotate. To rotate a layer, select it in the Layers palette. If you’re rotating the entire image, there is no need to make any selection.

1. From the Image menu, select Rotate and, from the submenu, select Free Rotate.

The Free Rotate dialog opens.

1. Select the direction and number of degrees you want to rotate the image.
2. If you’re only rotating a selection or layer, rather than the entire image, clear the All layers checkbox. To rotate the entire image, check the box.
3. Click OK.

The image is rotated.

Note that when you rotate a raster selection, it’s automatically promoted to a floating selection—a copy of the original selection that floats above it. The floating selection is indicated in the Layers palette. If you continue to edit the selection, the original is unmodified. Once you deselect it, the selection “defloats” back to its original layer.

To quickly rotate an image 90 degrees, select Rotate from the Image menu and, from the submenu, select Rotate Clockwise 90 or Rotate Counterclockwise 90.

You can use the Raster Deform tool to quickly rotate a raster layer without using the selection tools. In addition, the Raster Deform tool lets you change the location of the pivot point, modifying the image’s center of rotation:

1. In the Layers palette, click on the layer you want to rotate.
2. From the Tools toolbar, select the Raster Deform tool.

The layer now appears with a bounding box around it.

In the middle of the bounding box is the pivot point, the small, transparent circle. The rotation handle is the small square connected to the pivot point.

1. To change the location of the pivot point, hold down the Ctrl key and click and drag it to a new position:

1. Move the mouse over the rotation handle until the mouse icon changes to curved arrows. Then click and drag the rotation handle:

The layer rotates until you release the mouse button.

The Raster Deform tool also works on selections on a raster layer.

Scaling and Deforming Images

Use the Raster Deform tool to scale, shear, and deform raster selections, much as you would use the Object Selection tool to transform vector objects:

1. Use one of the selection tools to select the area you want to modify. Or, select a layer by clicking on it in the Layers palette.
2. From the Tools toolbar, select the Raster Deform tool.

A bounding box appears around the selection.

1. Click and drag one of the handles on the bounding box:

Note:

When modifying a raster selection (a portion of the image), Paint Shop Pro prompts you to promote the selection to a full layer. Click OK. The selection now occupies a new layer of its own.

Tip:

To maintain the image’s proportions when resizing, right-click and drag one of the corner handles.

The Tool Options palette includes several options for distorting an image. Scale is the default mode, but you can also use the Raster Deform tool to shear or change the perspective of an image, by changing the mode. Each of the modes available on the Tool Options palette is also available using shortcut keys:

• • The Perspective mode lets you symmetrically change the perspective of the image:

You can hold down the Ctrl key while dragging a corner handle to accomplish the same change.

• • Hold down the Shift key while dragging a corner handle to asymmetrically change the perspective:

• • Select the Shear mode, or hold down the Shift key while dragging a side handle, to shear the image:

• • For free distortion, select Free from the Mode drop-down menu, or hold down the Ctrl and Shift keys while dragging any handle:

Note that the Tool Options palette also provides fields where you can enter specific values for distorting the image.