Forum: Photoshop


Subject: A simple question regarding centering.

Vandaler opened this issue on May 27, 2003 ยท 9 posts


Vandaler posted Tue, 27 May 2003 at 10:55 PM

Hi, I enjoy using Photoshop to create a border to my renders. I like to move my finished image on to a new one that is slightly bigger. My image becomes a layer on that new colored background and it creates some sort of border. You can see an exemple of this here: http://www.renderosity.com/viewed.ez?galleryid=401271&Start=1&Artist=Vandaler&ByArtist=Yes My question is rather simple... what is the simple way to perfectly center my slided layer on the new canvas I created. The centering tools are greyed out all the time and I wonder what I'm doing wrong. Thanks


cambert posted Wed, 28 May 2003 at 3:26 AM

Let's say that you're giving the image a border of 50 pixels each side. Your background layer will be 100 pixels bigger each way. Put the image layer in the exact top left corner of the background. Select the 'Move' tool. Hold down the shift key and press the 'right arrow' key five times. Still holding down 'shift', press the 'down arrow' key five times. Ta-da! Holding down the shift key means that the arrow keys will move whatever is selected by 10 pixels. If nothing is selected, it moves the whole layer.


Hoofdcommissaris posted Wed, 28 May 2003 at 6:48 AM

I always cut - change canvas size - paste. Photoshop does paste exactly in the middle...


Vandaler posted Wed, 28 May 2003 at 7:31 AM

Thanks you two. Very nice


aip2000 posted Wed, 28 May 2003 at 6:28 PM

Hold down the shift key when you drag one picture to another with the move tool. The "dragged" picture will be automatically centered.


maclean posted Sat, 31 May 2003 at 3:16 PM

You can also have them on different layers, link the layers and use the 'align layers' commands. mac


Hoofdcommissaris posted Mon, 02 June 2003 at 3:12 AM

Mmmm. Gotto try that Shift-dragging thing [which sounds a kind of strange tot non-computer users I think, because, man, make a choice! Either shift the thing OR drag it. Do not try it at the same time...]


Vandaler posted Mon, 02 June 2003 at 8:09 AM

Of all the methods, I chose the shift dragging technique. It's simple and it works great. Thanks to all again.


dreamer101 posted Mon, 02 June 2003 at 10:08 AM

BTW .. if you link your image layer to the new canvas layer (with the move tool selected) you can use the centering tools but Shift Drag is best for dead center in one step.