They are not two Photoshop commands. Photoshop’s Free Transform changes selected Photoshop content; Transform Each is an Illustrator command for transforming selected objects relative to their individual reference points. Choose based on the app and the transformation you need.
What is the difference?
Adobe documents Free Transform in Photoshop and Transform Each in Illustrator. Photoshop Free Transform combines transformation types in one operation. Illustrator Transform Each is useful when selected objects should be transformed around their own reference points instead of around one shared selection reference point.
As Adobe Help Center puts it, “Free Transform combines multiple transformation types into a single operation.” Adobe’s Illustrator reference explains the individual-center use case: “To rotate each object around its own center point, use the Transform Each command.”
Which command should you use?
| Task | Use | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Resize, rotate, skew, distort, apply perspective, or warp selected Photoshop content | Photoshop Free Transform | It combines these transformation types in one operation. |
| Transform several Photoshop layers together | Select the layers and use Photoshop’s transform workflow | Photoshop supports transforming multiple selected layers; that does not make Transform Each a Photoshop command. |
| Rotate selected Illustrator objects around their own centers | Illustrator Transform Each | It applies the transformation relative to each object’s reference point rather than the shared selection reference point used by ordinary multi-object rotation. |
| Repeat a previous Photoshop transformation | Photoshop Edit > Transform > Again | Again repeats a prior Transform or Free Transform operation; it is not Illustrator Transform Each. |
How to use Free Transform in Photoshop
- Select the layer, shape, path, or selection you want to change.
- Choose Edit > Free Transform, or press Ctrl+T on Windows or Command+T on macOS.
- Use the Options bar for numeric width, height, or rotation values. The reference point locator lets you change the origin around which the transformation occurs.
- Drag the handles or use the available controls for the required transformation. Corner dragging is proportional by default when Maintain aspect ratio is on; the Options bar can change that behavior.
- Commit with Enter/Return, the Options bar’s commit button, or by clicking outside the canvas area. Press Esc or use the cancel button to cancel.
Photoshop’s keyboard modifiers can also control rotation increments, skew, distortion, and perspective. Interface details and shortcut behavior can vary by version, so check the controls in your installed release if a step differs.
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How Transform Each works in Illustrator
When multiple Illustrator objects are selected, ordinary rotation uses one shared reference point, typically the center of the selection or bounding box. Transform Each is the relevant command when you want each object to rotate around its own center. Adobe’s keyboard-shortcuts page lists Alt+Shift+Ctrl+D on Windows and Option+Shift+Command+D on macOS to open the Transform Each dialog; shortcuts can vary with app version or customization.
Can Photoshop transform multiple layers?
Yes. Photoshop allows multiple layers to be selected, and Adobe notes that operations such as moving, aligning, and transforming can involve multiple selected layers. Select the layers you want and use Photoshop’s transform workflow. This acts on the selected content; it does not provide Illustrator’s named Transform Each command for applying transformations relative to each object’s individual center.
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How do you repeat a Photoshop transformation?
Choose Edit > Transform > Again to repeat a previous Photoshop transformation. Adobe says at least one operation using Transform or Free Transform must be applied before Again becomes available. Use this when the goal is to repeat an earlier operation, not to give each selected object its own reference point.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Protect raster image quality during repeated transforms
Adobe warns that each committed transformation of bitmap content can make the image slightly less sharp. If you are iteratively resizing or rotating raster artwork, apply multiple changes in one operation before committing where practical. Adobe says Smart Objects preserve image quality through repeated transformations, making them a useful choice for this workflow.
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