Move Tool
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PSDTUTS Photoshop Wiki / Photoshop Tools / Move Tool
The Move tool is often considered one of Photoshop’s simplest, most basic features. And in many respects it is: the tool’s primary function is to allow you to drag elements of an image around the page until you find the right spot. Alternatively, by using the arrow keys you can move the layer by a pixel at a time, giving you more precision than the mouse offers.
But it’s also got some powerful features that allow great manipulation and alignment of multiple layers and shapes on the page that are often overlooked by the average user.
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[edit] Keyboard Modifiers
There are a few ways you can modify your use of the Move tool using the keyboard. To preface, when you use the Move tool on a selection, it will shift the entire selection (but not the rest of the layer).
When using most tools, you can hit Control to temporarily use the Move tool, which reverts to the tool you were previously using when you release the key.
If you wish to copy the selection or layer and move the duplicate, you can use the Alt or Option key while clicking and dragging.
[edit] Layer Alignment
Some of the most powerful features of the Move tool have to do with layer alignment. These features can be found on the Options Bar when the Move tool is selected. Since alignment deals with more than one object, these features will be grayed out unless you have more than one layer selected. To begin, select the layers you wish to align by Control/Command-clicking on them.
The Align Top Edges button will align the top of each layer evenly, shifting the lowest layers up in line with the highest layer in the selection.
You can use the marquee tool to make a selection, switch to the Move tool with the appropriate layers selected and use the Align Top Edges button to shift each layer to the top of the selected area.
The Align Vertical Centers button will shift each layer so that it sits in the centre of your image or selection’s height.
The Align Bottom Edges button lines each layer up along their bottom edges, using either a marquee selection or the lowest layer in the selection as a reference point.
The Align Left Edges and Align Right Edges buttons line up your layers according to the left or right edge of your marquee selection, or the furthest layer in the group.
[edit] Layer Alignment
The distribution buttons distribute the space between your selected layers evenly. Distribution requires that a minimum of three layers be selected. You can choose your distribution via six possible parameters:
- Distribute top edges,
- Distribute vertical centers,
- Distribute bottom edges,
- Distribute left edges,
- Distribute horizontal centers,
- Distribute right edges
The parameter you select determines from which reference point the gap is measured and adjusted. For instance, Distribute Vertical Centers adjusts the layers so they are all equidistant from each other’s vertical midpoint.
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