Expert: Glen Demers - 7/21/2008

Question
Hey there. I make promos for several customers, so I am constantly copying new images from one canvas to a fixed-size canvas to update them. To resize this new layer, is there any way to have it size to fit the canvas? I don't want to size the canvas to fit the layer, obviously, but my only option so far is to use the transform tool by percentages or dragging. Isn't there a better way? "Resize to Fit Canvas" seems like a needed layer tool.

Answer
Hi Jenn,

I know of no other way than to go to Edit>>Free Transform (cmd/ctrl T) and dragging the corners with the shift key held down to constrain the proportions.
If you do a lot of these you can use contact sheet II under File>>Automate. Make the document the size of the fixed-size canvas and the thumbnails 1 column by 1 row, uncheck Auto-Spacing and put 0 Vertical and 0 Horizontal, check Rotate For Best Fit and uncheck Use Filename As Caption. For source you can use all opened images or point Photoshop to a folder. The contact sheets created will be the exact size you need but since Photoshop won't distort or clip the source images you may end up with white space if the prportions aren't the same from original to thumbnail.

Hope this helps, for other Photoshop tips, please visit our help pages
<a href="http://www.bestprintingonline.com/photoshop.htm"> here</a>

Glen Demers
Adobe Certified Expert, Photoshop 7
Prepress Technician, Best Printing Online
www.bestprintingonline.com