Moving and transforming pixel selections

Once a selection has been made, it can be moved and transformed in a variety of ways.

Moving and transforming a selection and its contents

If you have a selection in place, you can move and transform it, and the pixels it encompasses using the Move Tool or Transform panel, respectively.

Moving and transforming a selection only

If you're looking to reposition a selection, but leave the pixel content untouched, you can use the Marquee tools. However, if you wish to transform your selection while leaving the pixel content untouched, you need to use either the Transform panel or the Edit Selection as Layer option. In Quick Mask mode, you can resize, reposition, rotate or shear a selection using the Move Tool or Transform panel.

Move Tool Transform panel To move and transform a selection and the pixels it encompasses:
  1. With a selection in place, select the Move Tool from the tools available on the left.
  2. Resize, reposition, rotate or shear the selection on the page using the displayed handles or, for precision, use the settings on the Transform panel. The pixels within the selection will be moved and transformed to match the new selection.
Rectangular Marquee Tool Elliptical Marquee Tool Column Marquee Tool Row Marquee Tool Freehand Selection Tool To move a pixel selection (leaving pixel unaffected):
  1. With a selection in place, select a marquee selection tool or the Freehand Selection Tool.
  2. Drag inside the selection.
Selection Menu Move Tool Transform panel To transform a selection (leaving pixel unaffected):
  1. With the Selections active, from the Selection menu, select Selection as Layer>Toggle Edit Selection As Layer.
  2. Select the Move Tool.
  3. Resize, reposition, rotate or shear the selection on the page using the displayed handles or, for precision, use the settings on the Transform panel.
  4. Repeat step 1 to exit the mode and return to display the selection as a marquee.

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