How do you apply transform to multiple layers in Photoshop?

Okay, here is the answer to your question about applying transforms to multiple layers in Photoshop.

Applying a transform operation like scaling, rotating, or distorting to multiple layers simultaneously in Photoshop is straightforward: you select the desired layers in the Layers panel and then initiate the transform command.

Selecting Multiple Layers for Transformation

Before you can transform layers together, you need to select them in the Layers panel. There are several common ways to do this, depending on which layers you want to affect:

• Consecutive Layers: If the layers you want to transform are listed one after another in the Layers panel, you can select them quickly. As described in our reference, "Highlight each layer you would like to transform... as long as they are in consecutive layers, just highlight the top layer, hold the shift key and click on the bottom layer. This should leave you with all the layers, top, bottom, and those layers in between highlighted." This selects the initial layer, the final layer, and everything in between.
• Non-Consecutive Layers: To select layers that are scattered throughout your Layers panel, click on the first layer, then hold down the Ctrl (Windows) or Command (macOS) key and click on each additional layer you want to include.
• Selecting All Layers: If you need to transform every visible layer in your document (excluding the Background layer unless it's converted), you can go to Select > All Layers or press Ctrl+Alt+A (Windows) / Command+Option+A (macOS).

Quick Layer Selection Table

Here's a quick summary of selection methods:

Layer Arrangement	Method	Key Combination
Consecutive	Click first, Shift-click last	Shift + Click
Non-Consecutive	Click first, Ctrl/Cmd-click others	Ctrl / Command + Click
All Layers	Menu command or shortcut	Select > All Layers or Ctrl+Alt+A / Command+Option+A

Once your layers are highlighted in the Layers panel, they are ready to be transformed together.

Applying the Transform Command

With your layers selected, you can now apply a transform. The most common method is using Free Transform:

1. Go to Edit > Free Transform.
2. Alternatively, use the keyboard shortcut: Ctrl+T (Windows) or Command+T (macOS).

Photoshop will place a bounding box around all the selected layers collectively. You can then click and drag the handles of this bounding box to:

• Scale: Drag corner or side handles. Hold Shift to constrain proportions. Hold Alt (Windows) or Option (macOS) to scale from the center.
• Rotate: Move the cursor outside the bounding box until you see a curved double-arrow, then click and drag.
• Skew or Distort: Hold Ctrl (Windows) or Command (macOS) and drag a handle.
• Move: Click and drag anywhere inside the bounding box (but not on a handle).

When you are finished transforming, press Enter (Windows) or Return (macOS), or click the checkmark in the Options bar to commit the transformation. To cancel, press Esc.

Alternative: Grouping Layers

Another effective way to manage multiple layers for transformation is to put them into a group.

1. Select the layers you want to group using one of the methods above.
2. Press Ctrl+G (Windows) or Command+G (macOS), or click the folder icon at the bottom of the Layers panel.
3. Photoshop creates a 'Group 1' layer (you can rename it).
4. Now, you can select just the group layer in the Layers panel and apply Edit > Free Transform (Ctrl+T / Command+T).

Transforming a group works similarly to transforming selected layers, but it keeps your Layers panel organized. Transforming a group layer treats the entire group as a single object for the transformation, which can sometimes behave slightly differently than transforming individual layers selected together, especially with complex layer effects or masks. However, for basic moves, scaling, and rotations, both methods achieve a similar result.

By selecting layers using Shift-click for consecutive sets or Ctrl/Cmd-click for scattered layers, you can efficiently apply transformations to multiple elements in your Photoshop document at once.