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Why Can’t I Transform My Selection in Photoshop?

Last updated on September 24, 2022 @ 2:31 pm

Have you ever made a selection in Photoshop, only to find that you can’t seem to transform it? There are a few possible reasons for this.

First, let’s make sure we’re on the same page: when you try to transform a selection and nothing happens, or the transformation isn’t what you expected, that’s what we’re talking about here.

There are a few possible reasons why your selection won’t transform. The first possibility is that you have the wrong tool selected.

When you make a selection with the Marquee tool, for example, you can’t use the Transform tool to transform it. You need to switch to the Move tool first.

Another possibility is that your layer is locked. Layers can be locked for a variety of reasons, but usually it’s because you don’t want to accidentally move or edit something.

To unlock a layer, go to the Layer menu and select Unlock All Layers. If that doesn’t work, try Unlock Background Layer.

PRO TIP: If you are having trouble transforming your selection in Photoshop, it is likely because your layer is locked. To unlock the layer, go to the ‘Layer’ menu and select ‘Unlock.’ If the layer is still locked, it may be because it is a background layer. To unlock a background layer, double-click on it in the ‘Layers’ palette.

The last possibility is that you have clipping mask selected. A clipping mask is when you use one layer to mask another layer.

When you have a clipping mask selected, you can only move the layer that’s being masked – not the layer that’s doing the masking. To turn off a clipping mask, go to the Layer menu and select Release Clipping Mask.

If none of these solutions work, there may be something else going on with your file. Try creating a new file and making a selection – does it work then? If so, there’s probably something wrong with your original file.

Why Can’t I Transform My Selection in Photoshop?

There are a few possible reasons why your selection won’t transform. When you make a selection with the Marquee tool, for example, you can’t use the Transform tool to transform it – you need to switch to the Move tool first.

Another possibility is that your layer is locked.

The last possibility is that you have clipping mask selected.

If none of these solutions work, there may be something else going on with your file.

Drew Clemente

Drew Clemente

Devops & Sysadmin engineer. I basically build infrastructure online.