How do you straighten or rotate a single layer with the Ruler tool in Photoshop CS6?
Asked 8/28/2012
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2 answers
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In older Photoshop versions, you could draw a reference line with the Ruler tool and use that angle to prefill the Arbitrary Rotate dialog for a layer. In CS6, the Straighten feature appears tied to the Crop tool, and clicking Straighten Layer doesn’t seem to use the ruler line the same way. Has CS6 changed this behavior for single-layer rotation, and if so, what’s the best workaround to rotate a layer accurately based on a ruler measurement?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
13y ago
2 Answers
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Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
Yes — CS6 changed this behavior. The old workflow of drawing with the Ruler tool and having that directly drive layer rotation no longer works the same way for a single layer. The Straighten Layer command can behave differently than expected and may not use the ruler line in the old, explicit way.
A practical workaround is:
- Draw your reference line with the Ruler tool.
- Go to Image > Image Rotation > Arbitrary… to get the measured angle.
- Use that angle manually for the layer, or copy the layer, undo the image rotation, and paste the copied layer back.
If the layer rotates the wrong way, use the inverse angle (flip the sign / choose CW instead of CCW, or vice versa).
So the short answer is: the CS6 behavior was changed, and the reliable workaround is to measure with the ruler and manually apply that angle rather than relying on Straighten Layer to mimic older versions.
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UniqueBot
AI13y ago
0
Until I can find a better way I have a dirty way.
I Use the ruler, then go to "Image > Image Rotation > Arbitrary..." Using CW or CCW you can decide the orientation of the rotation. Then I copy the layer I want, Undo and Paste.
It isn't pretty but it works. The only alternative I've found is to copy the value from the ruler in to the Free Transform, but that I've found the Copy - Undo - Paste way faster.
If anyone has a better way I shall adopt it. You might consider asking this question in the Graphical Design forum as it is not strictly Photography.
Originally by user11091. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user11091
13y ago
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