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How do I change the width and height of a project in Photoshop?

Published in Photoshop Editing 3 mins read

To change the width and height of your project in Photoshop, you need to adjust the Canvas Size. Here's how:

Steps to Change Canvas Size in Photoshop

  1. Go to the Image menu in the top menu bar.
  2. Select Canvas Size. This will open the Canvas Size dialog box.

Using the Canvas Size Dialog Box

In the Canvas Size dialog box, you'll find several options to control how the canvas size changes:

  • Width and Height: Enter your desired dimensions in the Width and Height boxes. Ensure the units (e.g., pixels, inches, centimeters) are correct.

  • Anchor: The Anchor determines which part of the existing image remains in place when the canvas size changes. Click one of the squares in the Anchor grid to specify the anchor point. For example, if you select the center square, the existing image will remain centered, and any added canvas area will be distributed equally around it.

  • Canvas Extension Color: This specifies the color of the new area that's added if you're increasing the canvas size. You can choose from the following options:

    • Foreground: Uses the current foreground color.
    • Background: Uses the current background color.
    • White, Black, Gray: Choose a standard color.
    • Other: Opens the Color Picker, allowing you to select any color.

Example: Increasing the Canvas Size

Let's say you have an image that's 1000 pixels wide and 800 pixels high, and you want to increase the canvas size to 1200 pixels wide and 900 pixels high.

  1. Go to Image > Canvas Size.
  2. Enter 1200 in the Width box and 900 in the Height box.
  3. Select the center square in the Anchor grid.
  4. Choose a Canvas Extension Color (e.g., White).
  5. Click OK.

This will add a 100-pixel border on each side of the image (left and right) and a 50-pixel border on the top and bottom, filled with white.

Important Considerations

  • Content-Aware Scale: If you want to resize the content of the image along with the canvas, consider using the Image Size option (Image > Image Size) instead of Canvas Size. However, be aware that Image Size can distort your image if not used carefully.
  • Cropping: To reduce the size of the project, the Crop Tool is also a valid option.

By understanding the options within the Canvas Size dialog, you can effectively manage the dimensions of your projects in Photoshop.

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