To resize your canvas in Photoshop, you can use the Image > Canvas Size option. This opens a dialog box where you can specify the new dimensions of your canvas.
Here's a breakdown of how to resize your canvas in Photoshop:
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Navigate to the Canvas Size Dialog: Go to the Image menu in the menu bar at the top of the Photoshop window and select Canvas Size.
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Enter New Dimensions: In the Canvas Size dialog box, you'll see the current width and height of your canvas. Enter the new values you want for the width and height. You can change the units (pixels, inches, centimeters, etc.) using the dropdown menus next to the width and height fields.
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Anchor Point: The "Anchor" section allows you to choose which part of the image will remain fixed when you resize the canvas. The default is usually the center, meaning Photoshop will add or subtract equally around all sides of the image. Clicking on a different square in the anchor grid will anchor that specific point of your image.
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Canvas Extension Color: If you're making the canvas larger, the "Canvas extension color" option lets you choose the color of the added space. If your background is a layer, it will show the background color, otherwise, you can select a color.
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Click OK: Once you've entered your desired settings, click the OK button to apply the changes.
Key Considerations:
- Resizing vs. Resampling: Be aware that resizing the canvas is different from resizing the image. Canvas Size changes the size of the area you are working on, adding or cropping away pixels as necessary around your existing image content. To resize the image itself (changing the pixel dimensions of the actual image data), you would use Image > Image Size.
- Content-Aware Scale: For more complex resizing needs, consider using the Content-Aware Scale feature (Edit > Content-Aware Scale). This allows you to resize an image while trying to preserve important visual content and prevent distortion.
By using the Image > Canvas Size option, you can easily adjust the size of your workspace in Photoshop to fit your project's needs.