To remove the aspect ratio constraint in Photoshop, allowing you to resize the width and height of an image or selection independently, you typically need to disable the link between the width and height values in the relevant tool's options bar.
Understanding Aspect Ratio in Photoshop
Aspect ratio refers to the proportional relationship between an image's width and its height. When the aspect ratio is locked (the default behavior in tools like Crop or Free Transform), changing one dimension automatically adjusts the other to maintain the original proportions. This prevents your image from looking stretched or squished.
Steps to Remove Aspect Ratio Constraint
The most common place you'll encounter and want to disable the aspect ratio constraint is when using the Crop Tool. Here's how to do it:
Using the Crop Tool
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Select the Crop Tool: Choose the
Crop Toolfrom the Photoshop toolbar (it looks like two overlapping right angles). -
Look at the Options Bar: Once the Crop Tool is active, look at the options bar that appears at the top of your Photoshop window. This bar contains settings specific to the Crop Tool.
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Disable the Aspect Ratio Link: In the options bar, locate the
WidthandHeightinput fields. Between these fields, you will see a chain icon. This chain icon indicates that the width and height are linked and maintaining the aspect ratio. To disable the aspect ratio constraint, click the chain icon so that the little lines that point to “Width” and “Height” disappear.- When the chain icon is visible and connected, the aspect ratio is locked.
- When the chain icon is broken or not visible (depending on the Photoshop version, it might just disappear), the aspect ratio is unlocked.
After clicking the chain icon, you can now drag the crop handles to resize the width and height independently, or enter specific, unrelated values into the Width and Height fields in the options bar.
You may also encounter this chain icon and the ability to unlink width and height in other dialogs or tools, such as the Image Size dialog box. The principle remains the same: clicking the chain icon disables the proportional link between dimensions.
Why (and When) You Might Remove It
Generally, as the reference notes, it's recommended to keep the aspect ratio locked to prevent unintended distortion of your image. However, you might need to remove it for specific creative effects or layout requirements, such as:
- Intentionally stretching or compressing an image for artistic purposes.
- Fitting an image into a specific container or shape that doesn't match its original aspect ratio (though cropping or adding padding is often preferred over distortion).
Important Considerations
- Image Distortion: Be aware that unlocking the aspect ratio and resizing dimensions independently will distort your image. People, objects, and shapes may appear stretched or squished.
- Tool-Specific: The method for disabling aspect ratio is tool-specific. While the chain icon is common, the exact location depends on which tool or function you are using (e.g., Crop Tool, Image Size, Free Transform).
By unlinking the width and height controls, you gain full independent control over your image's dimensions, allowing for non-proportional scaling.
