Hello,

Please look at the image I uploaded. You'll notice the reference point for that shape is moved to the left by me. Is there a way to make that stable there? 
I need to create frames of this shape with the arrow rotating around exactly that point, but in order to create the frames I need to go into Free Transform for every frame and rotate it and each time the reference point will be reset and I have to move it there again. 
Of course, I could just write down its position (which Photoshop shows in the options for the transform tool) and enter it each time after that, but isn't there a simpler way to keep it there? I need to do quite a lot of frames for more shapes. And that's important too: I need to do it with vector shapes, not with bitmaps.

Thank you,
Filip.

I don't think there is any way to do this, but one possible solution would be to create an action to automate the process. For example, it might go like this:

1. create a new action and assign a key shortcut
2. start recording
3. duplicate the layer
4. hit Ctrl-T for transform
5. move the reference point to the required position
6. rotate the layer the required amount
7. hit Enter to commit the transform
8. stop recording

Now all you need to do is run the action by hitting the shortcut key and it'll repeat steps 3 through 7 above. Do this the the required number of times and you're done. Of course, this assumes that you're rotating the layer by the same amount each time.

Yes:

1.  Ctrl +T puts you in free transform mode. Place the shape’s pivot point where you want it to rotate around.

1. While still in free transform mode you can hold down the Shift key (shift key increments in degree sets) while rotating with mouse drag outside shape boundary, it increments at 15 degrees intervals. Rotate the shape as much as you need. Note: You don’t have to use the shift key for arbitrary placement.

2. When done hit Enter key to commit rotated shape.

3. To repeat action freely on same layer hit Shift + Ctrl + T together as often as you need. Shape will rotate around pivot point.

4. Hit Shift + Ctrl + Alt + T and each rotation will be placed on a separate layer which you can then merge to create the final shape.

 

Perfect. It rotates each the time the same amount I rotated the first time, but that's exactly what I need.
Thanks a lot.

Good advice on this thread!

Food for thought on this process:

An animated Gif showing this technique used on an Apophysis transparent background render imported into a Photoshop layer. First I repositioned the shape element so that when I free transform rotated it around its pivot point the finished image would fit within its frame. After free transform rotating and merging I then used the same technique but this time using free transform rescaling then hitting the Shift + Ctrl + Alt + T key combination to simulate the constriction.

 nice job Quest,   the visual helps solidify the steps in your previous post!

scott

One more problem. It seems that for small shapes I can't manually move the reference point. The only places I can move it is on the 8 predefined ones. And if I try to type in the position it moves the shape itself. Is there anyway to fix this? I've attached the file in question. Shape "0" needs to rotate around the red dot.

First resize the image to fit screen to allow you to see what you’re doing.

1. Select the layer with the clipping mask

2. Unlink vector mask from layer image by clicking on the link icon

3. Select the vector mask by clicking in it

4. From the tool bar select the “Direct selection tool”

5. With the selection tool click directly on the vector path…the individual vertices become active

Hit Ctrl + T to put you in free transform mode then while holding the Alt key move the reference point to where you want it and continue your rotate transform as usual.

 

Again, thank you very much. And it works by just holding down Alt, without all the other steps!

Stamate_filip...you are welcome...I'm sorry but I don't know if you are asking me a question or making a statement?

:b_confused:

After your first free transform rotate on the vector mask hit Ctrl + J to duplicate the layer and then hit Shift + Ctrl + T to automatically rotate the new vector around the repositioned reference point. Continue doing this until you get the required number of rotations.

It wasn't a question. After I tried what you said I thought I'd also try simply holding Alt without the other steps and it worked.