photoshop

[peanut]

Can anyone instruct me on how to resize a layer. for example, if i were to put two pics next to each other, say one of my cat ond one of my dog. I want to move the cat so he is sitting next to the dog. No problem moving the pic. the problem is getting the cat properly sized after it is moved to the pic of the dog. photoshop says it needs to be done with Image Ready, but i cant figure out how. I would greatly appreciate any help.

[Buenchico]

You don't need to use Image Ready. (The following works in both Photoshop & Image Ready). Try this:

Open both the original dog and cat pictures.
Use the lasoo tool to select the cat.
(Right-click and select 'feather' to soften the edge of the selection).
Go to 'Edit' and select 'Copy'.
Now go to the dog picture.
Go to 'Edit' and select 'Paste'.
Use the Move Tool to place the cat in approximately the right position.
Go to 'Edit' and select 'Free Transform'.
Use the handles on the image to re-size it to your requirements. (NB: Unlike resizing images in DTP packages, dragging the corner handles does NOT retain the aspect ratio. To keep the same aspect ratio you must hold down the shift key while dragging).
Problem solved!

Chris

[peanut]

Chris,

You are awesome. that is exactly what i was looking for. 100% to the letter. thank you very much.

[Buenchico]

PS: Even with really good feathering, the second image might still look 'stuck on' if the lighting was different when the picture was taken. If, for example, it appears 'too bright' and/or 'too contrasty' in comparison to the background you might need to adjust its saturation level.

[Buenchico]

Aaagh!

Ignore that! It was meant for a different thread!!!

[jomifl]

Possibly you need the lighting to match in both images ie. contrast, brightness and apparent light source.