How to enlarge a layer in Photoshop?

Layers are considered one of the key elements of the structure of media projects in Photoshop. Almost any picture or text opened in this program is a layer or is placed on it. In some cases, it may be necessary to increase the corresponding element. There are many ways to do this. How to enlarge a layer in Photoshop?

Let's consider the specifics of the corresponding operations in Photoshop CS6 version with the English interface.

The term "layer" - Layer - in Photoshop can mean:

  • background of the edited image (located directly on the canvas - Canvas);
  • a picture used as a background (fixed above the canvas);
  • another image located above the indicated graphic elements.

In each case, the increase in the layer has features. Let's study them.

How do I enlarge the background layer?

So, let's look at how to increase the size of a layer in Photoshop, if it is the background of the edited image. It is formed, in particular, when creating a new project in Photoshop or when opening any graphic file in this program.

In the list of layers - Layers - it has the designation Background. In order to enlarge it, you need to activate the canvas window, then select the Image menu item, after - Image Size. In the window that opens, you will need to enter the required layer size. For example, if we want to increase it by 120%, then the settings may look like this:

You can also fine-tune the size of the background layer if necessary - for example, in pixels.

The peculiarity of the considered graphic element is the impossibility to move the picture, which is the background, relative to the canvas. Therefore, if you increase or decrease the canvas (there is a separate function for this - Image - Canvas Size), then the background layer will also proportionally resize after it.

But this feature can be easily circumvented by turning the background layer into a "standard" one. To do this, double-click on its name - Background - and click OK. After that, the Background layer in the list will be renamed to Layer. In turn, its structure allows you to separate the background image from the canvas.

Which, in turn, is able to become an additional element of the background. It can, for example, be filled with color using the Paint Bucket Tool.

In this case, the original background image - the one that is colored green in the screenshot - will be combined with the "canvas" color. After that, if you want, you can enlarge the canvas again.

The picture, which is used as a background and is located above the canvas (in this case, it is a green image, complemented by blue elements), thus forms an independent layer. Its value can also be adjusted. Let's learn how to enlarge a layer in Photoshop, which is a picture used as a background.

How to increase a layer in the form of a picture on the background (or on the canvas)?

For clarity, you can slightly enlarge the canvas.

There are several ways to resize a layer in the form of a picture that is used as a background - or its main area.

The first option is to use the Free Transform group of options. In order to open it, you need to select the Rectangular Marquee Tool on the left panel, right-click on the picture, and then click on Free Transform.

In order to change specifically the size of the image layer, select the item Scale. After - use the sliders along the edges of the picture to select the optimal size of the image. If you hold down the Shift key at the same time, its original proportions will be maintained when the corresponding graphic object is enlarged or reduced.

​​

There is an alternative option for adjusting the size of the image layer. The fact is that immediately after opening the Free Transform group of options, an additional menu will open at the top of the Photoshop interface, in which you can set the optimal image scale - in pixels or percent.

After the adjustment of the size of the image layer is completed, the resulting size should be fixed by pressing Enter.

Another kind of layer in Photoshop is a picture placed on another image. A similar effect is possible if, for example, you copy another graphic file into the open program window (in which, in this case, a canvas with a green image is displayed).

The added picture will form a new layer - in this case Layer 1. Consider, in turn, how to enlarge the layer in Photoshop, presented in this version.

How to enlarge a layer as a separate picture?

In principle, the same procedures as we discussed in the previous scenario apply to a single image layer. Thus, you can use the Free Transform group of options - in two versions (using the sliders or using the menu that opens at the top of the Photoshop interface).

One more option in Photoshop CS6 that we have not yet noted, namely Show Transform Controls, can be called quite convenient. It is activated by checking the box next to the corresponding element of the Photoshop interface that appears when the Move Tool is selected.

When the Shot Transform Controls option is enabled, you can, in particular, quickly resize layers presented as separate images. As soon as a layer is selected, sliders appear on the picture corresponding to it. This tool, accordingly, is especially convenient if you are working with a large number of images at the same time.

By the way, when working with several pictures - as, indeed, with the one that is presented against the background of the canvas, you can use the first method of increasing the layer, which we discussed above.

If, thus, selecting the window of the current canvas, select the Image item, then - Resize and set the necessary values, all the pictures located in the corresponding area of ​​the Photoshop interface will change their size proportionally.

.