How Do I Resize an Image in Photoshop Without Stretching It?
Resizing an image in Photoshop is a common task that many designers and photographers frequently encounter. However, resizing an image without distorting or stretching it can be a bit tricky. In this tutorial, we will guide you through the process of resizing an image in Photoshop without compromising its original proportions.
Step 1: Open the Image in Photoshop
To begin, open the image you want to resize in Adobe Photoshop. You can do this by selecting "File" from the top menu, then choosing "Open" and navigating to the location of your image file. Once you have selected the file, click on "Open" to load it into Photoshop.
Step 2: Select the Image
Next, use the rectangular marquee tool (shortcut: M) from the toolbar on the left side of your screen. Click and drag over the image to create a selection around it. This will ensure that only the image is resized, and not any surrounding elements or background.
Step 3: Accessing the Transform Tool
With your image selected, go to the top menu and click on "Edit." From the dropdown menu, select "Free Transform" or use the shortcut Ctrl+T (Windows) or Cmd+T (Mac). This will activate the transform handles around your selected image.
Step 4: Maintaining Aspect Ratio
To resize your image without stretching it, make sure to maintain its original aspect ratio. To do this, hold down the Shift key while dragging any of the corner handles. This will constrain proportions and prevent distortion.
Note:
You can also hold down Alt (Windows) or Option (Mac) while dragging a corner handle to resize from both sides simultaneously.
Step 5: Adjusting the Size
Now that you have constrained the aspect ratio, you can proceed to adjust the size of your image. Click and drag any of the corner handles inwards or outwards to make your image smaller or larger, respectively. As you drag, you will notice that the dimensions of the image are displayed at the top menu.
Step 6: Fine-tuning
If you wish to fine-tune the size even further, you can manually enter specific values for width and height in the options bar at the top of the screen. Simply click on the corresponding input box and type in your desired dimensions.
Note:
Make sure to keep "Constrain Proportions" checked in the options bar to maintain aspect ratio while entering specific values.
Step 7: Applying Changes
Once you are satisfied with the size of your image, click on the checkmark icon at the top menu or press Enter/Return on your keyboard to apply the changes. Your image is now resized without any stretching or distortion!
You can save your resized image by selecting "File" from the top menu and choosing "Save As." Give your file a new name to avoid overwriting your original image, select a file format (such as JPEG or PNG), and click "Save."
Congratulations! You have successfully resized an image in Photoshop without stretching it. Remember that maintaining aspect ratio is crucial for preserving the quality and integrity of your images. Now go ahead and resize your images with confidence!
